Trip to Greenwich

There is plenty to see in Greenwich. The journey from London to Greenwich and back can be made via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and/or a relaxing cruise that takes around an hour and is highly recommended in pleasant weather. There is also a faster and cheaper boat option - definitely recommended - on the "river bus" run by Thames Clippers.

Recommended Hotels in London:

Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London
A 5-star aparthotel located right next to the Tower of London, overlooking the River Thames. The hotel offers modern, well-equipped apartments.

Knightsbridge Hotel
A luxurious 5-star hotel on a quiet street yet centrally located near Hyde Park and London's upscale shopping streets.

Apex City Of London Hotel
A modern 4-star hotel near Tower Bridge with rooms suitable for 2-4 guests, including family rooms.

Premier Inn London St.Pancras
A large 3-star hotel with 266 rooms in a convenient location near King's Cross railway station, part of the Premier Inn chain. The hotel also features family rooms for up to four guests.

Park Lane Apartments/Shaw House
A luxury aparthotel in the heart of Mayfair, situated close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street. The property features 10 apartments in various sizes, ranging from one-bedroom units with a living room up to four-bedroom apartments accommodating up to 9 people. The elegant apartments feature a modern, fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, dishwasher, and washing machine.

You can begin your visit at the Old Royal Naval College, a magnificent complex of waterfront buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was originally built as a hospital and home for retired seamen, later housed the Royal Naval College, and today is home to the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music.
The visitor centre at the college entrance recently reopened in an upgraded format. It features a permanent exhibition—partially interactive and suitable for children—alongside rotating exhibitions, a souvenir shop, and a tourist information point.
The "Painted Hall," originally intended as a dining room for seamen and upon which artist Sir James Thornhill worked for 19 years, is truly breathtaking. In 1806, the body of Admiral Lord Nelson, mortally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, was laid in state here; visitors can also see the "Nelson Room."

The neoclassical chapel is also open to visitors. From time to time, free lunchtime concerts are held here. Every day at 12:15 and 14:15, 90-minute guided tours of Greenwich depart from the visitor centre. Tours of the college grounds take place daily at 14:00, subject to visitor demand.

The National Maritime Museum is essentially three museums/historic sites under one shared institutional umbrella. The Maritime Galleries cover the sea and seafaring, Britain's naval heritage, and the voyages of famous explorers and naval figures, managing to do so without feeling heavy or dry. The two interactive galleries on the upper level, "The Bridge" and "All Hands," are especially popular with children. Another gallery, "Your Ocean," explores the ecological relationship between humankind and the sea. A new wing is currently under construction.
The adjacent Queen's House is a splendid residence designed by Inigo Jones. Following the completion of a major restoration that revived its 17th-century splendor, it houses the museum's extensive art collection.
The Royal Observatory, perched atop the lush green hill overlooking the maritime museum, holds a place of honor in the history of science. In its courtyard lies the Prime Meridian line (longitude 0°), where countless visitors pose for photos straddling both hemispheres and set their watches to Greenwich Mean Time. The historic observatory rooms, the giant telescope, innovative displays on time and space, astronomy galleries, and an advanced planetarium are all included in a visit. Following a multi-year redevelopment project, the astronomy galleries and planetarium were opened to the public, with planetarium shows (several each day) requiring an admission fee.

Anyone visiting Greenwich from Wednesday through Sunday should certainly not miss the indoor market, which gathers artists and craftspeople, antique dealers, vintage fashion, and food stalls.
The Fan Museum, with its permanent collection highlighting fan-making crafts alongside elaborate temporary exhibitions, is the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to the subject.

♦ Book through Viator:

Discount card for a variety of London attractions: London Explorer Pass - London Explorer Pass: Up to 35% Off Top Attractions
Choose 3, 4, 5, or 7 famous attractions and tours in London at a discounted price!

For a different kind of experience, you can stop en route at Canary Wharf in the Docklands area. In addition to the DLR, the Tube serves this area, and its ultra-modern station is an attraction in its own right. It is worth wandering through the interconnected shopping malls, stepping into the square near One Canada Square—one of the tallest buildings in the UK—admiring the forest of office towers that replaced the old cargo docks, and strolling among the outdoor sculptures and landscaped gardens designed to soften the high-tech surroundings. Nearby, housed in meticulously restored early-19th-century warehouses, sits the Museum of London Docklands, which brings the spirit of those bygone days to life through diverse exhibits.

It is quite a packed itinerary, allowing visitors to pick and choose based on their interests and budget.

Which items listed here involve a fee?
DLR trips - Oyster cards (contactless smartcards) and other daily/weekly public transit passes are valid on the DLR.
River cruise - A single-leg trip on the water is often sufficient, taking the DLR the other way. Oyster card holders receive discounts on most scheduled boat services.
Greenwich walking tour
Planetarium show
Admission to The Fan Museum
Everything else - completely free for you to enjoy. Have a wonderful trip!

Michal Engel

Book Recommended Guided Tours and Tickets in London from Reliable Provider Viator:

♦ London Eye skip-the-line ticket without waiting in regular queues - London Eye Skip-the-Line Ticket

♦ The Making of Harry Potter - A behind-the-scenes tour at Warner Bros. Studio. Includes round-trip transportation from central London to the studios. Duration: approximately 7 hours.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

♦ Tour of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament - Tour to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament in London

♦ Tickets to Wicked the Musical Theater Show - Tickets to Wicked the Musical Theater Show in London

♦ East End Food Tour - London East End Food Tour

Lasts approx. 3.5 hours, includes 10 food tastings.

♦ Book a bike tour from trusted provider Viator passing famous city landmarks:
London Landmarks, Historic Ale Pub and British Bicycles Bike Tour with a Local Guide

Written by Michal Engel