Located along the Thames, this historic London district is the home of the Prime Meridian, the Royal Observatory, and the National Maritime Museum. Time itself is measured from this point.
Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southeast London, lets you stand on the Prime Meridian line at the Royal Observatory, climb aboard the 19th-century Cutty Sark ship, and walk through the colonnaded courtyards of the Old Royal Naval College. From Greenwich Park's hilltop, you can see London's skyline stretch across the Thames, while down at the O2, you'll find concerts and entertainment. You can reach this riverside district by boat, train, or through the Victorian-era Greenwich foot tunnel.
Getting to Greenwich
Greenwich is 5.5 miles from central London, with multiple transport options. The DLR runs to Cutty Sark station, while mainline trains serve Greenwich and Maze Hill stations. River boats stop at Greenwich Pier, giving you views of London during the journey. The Greenwich foot tunnel connects the area to the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf.
The Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian
The Royal Observatory sits on a hill in Greenwich Park, marking the location of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). You can stand with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one in the western hemisphere. The observatory displays John Harrison's four marine chronometers that revolutionized sea navigation, along with telescopes and astronomical instruments from the 1700s. The Shepherd Gate Clock at the entrance shows Greenwich Mean Time to passing pedestrians.
Ships and Sea History
The Cutty Sark tea clipper sits in a glass-bottomed dry dock near the river. You can walk underneath its hull and explore all three decks. The National Maritime Museum holds the actual uniform Admiral Nelson wore at the Battle of Trafalgar, plus intricate ship models and navigation tools. Next door stands the Queen's House from the 1630s, with its geometric black and white marble floor and the famous Tulip Stairs.
Greenwich Park
The 183-acre Greenwich Park stretches from the river to Blackheath. From the observatory hill, you can see Canary Wharf's skyscrapers and the Thames winding through London. The park has sweet chestnut trees from the 1600s, rose gardens, and a small herd of red and fallow deer. Runners gather here each April for the start of the London Marathon.
The O2 and Greenwich Peninsula
The O2 arena anchors a growing entertainment area on Greenwich Peninsula. You can climb over the dome's roof with Up at The O2, explore art installations at the Design District, or take the IFS Cloud Cable Car across the Thames. An 8-minute river boat connects the peninsula to Greenwich town center.
Greenwich Market
The covered market from the 1800s fills daily with street food vendors, craftspeople, and antique sellers. Streets around the market have independent shops, cafes, and restaurants serving British, Italian, Spanish, and Asian food. You'll find the market between the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park.
