Greenwich: what to visit in this village on the banks of the Thames?
About ten kilometers south-east of London, Greenwich is a charming district on the banks of the Thames, known for its rich maritime heritage. Once a royal vacation spot, Greenwich was also one of the favorite subjects of painters William Turner and Canaletto.
Today, the district attracts thousands of visitors for its relaxed lifestyle, its museums and its magnificent park which offers a magnificent view of London. Take a family getaway for a day to discover a different side of London!
Visit the Clipper the Cutty Sark
Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Cutty Sark is the last Clipper of its time open to the public. This XIXth century Trois-Mats has crisscrossed the world's trade routes, transporting tea from China and wool from Australia in its holds.
A fun and attractive visit for the whole family where children can wander in the holds, take the helm and imagine themselves captain of the ship! Adults will discover the living conditions of the crew and the maritime history of Great Britain.
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National Maritime Museum
Officially established in 1934 by King George VI, the National Maritime Museum is the largest maritime museum in the world. The collections bring together a plethora of objects linked to the maritime history of Great Britain such as the uniform of Admiral Nelson, the stern of the Implacable, the French ship that challenged Nelson to Trafalgar, astronomical and navigation instruments. , or a fine collection of figureheads.
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The Old Royal Naval College
Built between 1696 and 1712, this building was first a palace, then a maritime hospital and, finally, the Royal College of the Navy.
One can visit Painted Hall (former refectory), decorated in an exuberant Baroque style and where Nelson's remains were exhibited after Trafalgar. To visit also, the neoclassical style chapel which faces and where one can admire the fresco representing Saint Paul after the shipwreck in Malta (Benjamin West).
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Royal Observatory Greenwich
The Royal Greenwich Observatory is a British astronomical observatory that houses a museum of instruments for astronomy and navigation and the famous Greenwich meridian which defines universal time.
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Queen's House
Queen's House or Queen's House is a former royal residence where world-class works of art by the most influential British artists are housed: Turner, Gainsborough, Reynolds and Stubbs, as well as the iconic portrait known as' of the 'Armada' of Queen Elizabeth I.
This small palace, classified as a World Heritage Site, was the first Italian architecture introduced to the United Kingdom.
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Greenwich Market
Greenwich Vintage Market is a small open-air market with 40 stalls selling antiques, collectibles, jewelry, vintage clothing, vinyl records and books, all at reasonable prices.
Market from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.
Greenwich park
Covering 74 hectares, Greenwich Park sits atop a hill and offers magnificent views of London, the City, Canary Wharf and the Millennium Dome.
O2 Arena
Opened to celebrate the year 2000, the O2 Arena is one of the largest indoor arenas in Europe, hosting large-scale sporting events and concerts.
Supervised by a guide, you can climb the dome of the O2 Arena to enjoy a spectacular view of the capital at 52 m high!
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Guided tour of Greenwich in French
If you want to discover this magnificent district and know its secrets, you can take a guided tour accompanied by a french guide.
During the visit which lasts approximately 2h30, your guide will take you past the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park or the Royal Observatory. You will walk on the lands which saw the birth of some of the greatest monarchs of the United Kingdom, such as Henry VIII, who inspired the tale of Bluebeard, or Mary 1st who gave her name to a famous cocktail ...
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How do I get to Greenwich by transport?
To get to Greenwich, do not hesitate to take the boat which will drop you off right in front of Cutty Sark. As a reminder, you can use your Oyster Card if you borrow the company's catamarans Thames Clipper.
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River shuttles
