My Favourite Things to do in Greenwich

Greenwich is one of the best places in London for a sunny Saturday. It works just as well for a family day out as it does for a solo trip to the Planetarium to zoom through the stars. If you live in London and have never made it over there, or you’re visiting and want something beyond the usual tourist trail, these are the spots worth building a day around. ## The Queen’s House Greenwich has no shortage of beautiful buildings that also happen to be museums, and the Queen’s House is a fine example. It was built between 1616 and 1635 for Anna of Denmark, queen of King James I. One of the best details is that the gap between the Old Royal Naval College buildings is exactly the same size as the Queen’s House, which kept the view to the Thames clear for the queen. The museum is also home to the newly restored Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I — you’ll recognise it as soon as you see it. The video detailing the conservation work is well worth watching. The walkways running down the side of the building and underneath it sit where the street used to be, which meant the Queen’s House had entrances on both the park and Thames sides. Entry is free, so it’s easy to fit into your day. ## Old Royal Naval College and the Painted Hall ceiling tour The Painted Hall is a highlight, and the ceiling tour is worth booking. It might look like it’s under construction, but that’s part of the appeal. Conservation work on the ceiling means scaffolding is up, and the tour takes you all the way to the top — you’re even given a mirror so you don’t have to crane your neck. From up there you can see details that are invisible from the floor. The symbolism would have been obvious to people at the time but needs explaining for modern visitors. The scaffolding won’t be there forever, so plan your visit while it is. You might also recognise the Old Royal Naval College from its many film appearances, including Thor 2, Les Misérables, The King’s Speech and Sherlock Holmes. ## Cutty Sark Boats are at their best on land, which is exactly what you get with the Cutty Sark. Once the fastest sailing ship of its time, it now sits in Greenwich, and you can visit all the different levels. It’s particularly good with kids, and the front of the ship invites the odd Titanic reenactment. ## The Royal Observatory and Meridian Line This is one for the astronomy enthusiasts. The Royal Observatory is home to the Meridian Line — the reference point for Greenwich Mean Time. Inside there’s a lovely museum with historical items relating to the heavens, navigation and stargazing. Even if you’re not going into the Observatory, climb the hill for a superb view across all of Greenwich. ## Peter Harrison Planetarium London’s only planetarium is here, and it’s worth a visit. Sit back and enjoy a tour through the universe. There are a few different shows, and they work well for both children and adults. Even if navigating by the stars isn’t your thing, it’s a gorgeous thing to watch. ## Old Brewery Time for a break. The Old Brewery is, as the name suggests, a former brewery. It serves a good variety of dishes, and the large copper distillery vats add plenty of character. It’s a lovely spot for a meal or just a drink and a breather. ## Greenwich Market If you like a food market, you’re in the right place. The Vegan Vibes market is a particular highlight, with great food and atmosphere. The market is always a solid choice for lunch. You can check which markets are on via the events listings on the Greenwich Market website. ## How to get there There are plenty of ways to reach Greenwich: - Take the DLR straight to Cutty Sark. - Or get off one stop earlier at Island Gardens and walk under the Thames via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. There’s also a lovely City Farm near Island Gardens. - If you’d rather travel by boat, the Thames Clipper runs to Greenwich from Westminster, Tower Bridge and a few other locations. - You can also take a Southeastern train directly from London Bridge — the journey takes about eight minutes.