My Greenwich, London SE10, helpful area guide overviews this gorgeous part of London steeped in maritime history. Begin at the scenic Greenwich Park, with its stunning hilltop views of London. Delve into the diverse exhibits of the Royal Museums Greenwich, including the National Maritime Museum, the splendid Queen’s House, the fascinating Royal Observatory and the iconic Cutty Sark ship. Other notable places to explore include The Old Royal Naval College’s impressive Painted Hall and Nelson Room. For something quirky, The Fan Museum showcases a vast collection of over 7,000 fan-related artefacts. With Greenwich Market, the Greenwich Vintage Market and plenty of eateries and pubs, you can shop, dine and drink to your heart’s content. Greenwich is a destination where history, culture, shopping and dining merge to create an unforgettable experience.
Best Things To Do In Greenwich
Historic Greenwich Park offers breathtaking hilltop views. The park boasts rose and herb gardens, lawns, orchards, wildlife, sporting facilities, a bandstand and a pond. It encompasses the Royal Observatory, Prime Meridian, the Peter Harrison Planetarium and the Ranger’s House, with an impressive art collection and a lovely rose garden.
Discover more about oceans and life at sea at the National Maritime Museum. Suitable for history enthusiasts and general visitors, it offers varied exhibits. Highlights include the Sea of Things Gallery, ship figureheads and Prince Frederick’s ornate barge. The museum is free to visit, with gift shops and cafes. Their address is Romney Road, London SE10 9NF.
Art lovers will appreciate The Queen’s House, an architectural marvel built between 1616 and 1635 on Greenwich Palace grounds. Designed by Inigo Jones with Italian Palladian influence, it was initially for Queen Anne of Denmark, then Queen Henrietta Maria. It transitioned from royal residence to the Royal Hospital for Seamen. Now a Grade I listed monument, it houses over 450 maritime artworks and features a gorgeous Great Hall and a beautiful Tulip Staircase, which you can view free of charge. You’ll find the house at Romney Road, London SE10 9NF.
The Royal Observatory is perched on a hill in Greenwich Park with Thames views. Steeped in astronomy and navigation history, it’s now a museum and houses the Prime Meridian, central to Greenwich Mean Time and UTC. The visit is both enjoyable and educational, highlighting the evolution of timekeeping. Features like the Shepherd Gate Clock, Flamsteed House, telescopes and marine timepieces offer an engaging experience. Nearby is the Planetarium, where you can watch shows and listen to astronomy talks. It’s located at Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ.
All aboard the Cutty Sark, a historic sailing ship and an award-winning attraction. Built in Scotland in 1869, this British clipper was one of the last and fastest tea clippers. Initially used for the tea trade, it later carried Australian wool. Overtaken by steamships by 1895, it served as a Portuguese cargo ship, then a British training ship until 1954. Now a public exhibit and part of the National Historic Fleet, the Cutty Sark offers a chance to explore a renowned ship and enjoy London’s skyline views from the deck. The Cutty Sark is at King William Walk, London SE10 9HT.
Wander through the Old Royal Naval College grounds and discover key attractions like The Painted Hall, a masterpiece by Sir James Thornhill with 40,000 square feet of Baroque art. It was once a dining area for Greenwich Pensioners and is now a famed tourist destination. The Nelson Room, where Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson lay in state in 1805, adds historical depth to the estate. Take advantage of the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, a neo-classical architectural gem with a richly decorated ceiling and an altarpiece by Benjamin West. Eateries and gift shops are also available. The address is Greenwich SE10 9NN.
Since 1991, The Fan Museum, unique in its focus on fan history, culture, and craft, has been open to the public. Housed in restored Grade II* Listed Georgian townhouses, it showcases the Hélène Alexander Collection and The Fan Museum Trust Collection, totalling over 7,000 objects worldwide and spanning 1,000 years. Highlights include works by Paul Gauguin, an Elizabethan fan, Japanese Court fans and a Fabergé fan with gold and enamel. The address is 12 Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ER.
The Thames Path from Greenwich to North Greenwich offers a delightful route for walking. Also, the Greenwich Foot Tunnel is unique, running under the Thames between Island Gardens and Greenwich, near the Cutty Sark. Opened in 1902 and recently refurbished, this public highway is free and offers a distinctive walking experience beneath the river.
Entertainment options include The Greenwich Theatre at Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES, various cinemas, and Up The Creek Comedy Club at 302 Creek Road SE10 9SW. The prominent 02 Arena, dominating the skyline, hosts live music events at Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX.
Best Places To Shop In Greenwich
Greenwich Market, open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm, is the prime shopping destination. It features arts and crafts stalls on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends, with antiques and collectables on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Cutty Sark Street Food Market operates Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 5.30 pm, extending to 6.30 pm on weekends in summer. Centred around stalls, the Market building is flanked by shops offering fashion, art and more, along with eateries. The address is Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ.
The Greenwich Vintage Market is open Friday to Sunday from 9 am until 5 pm. It offers a diverse mix of vintage, retro, craft and handmade products. You’ll find this market at 2 Greenwich Church St, SE10 9BQ.
Other notable shops include Made in Greenwich at 324 Creek Road, an award-winning shop selling works by local artists and makers. Casbah Records at 320-322 Creek Road specialises in new and vintage vinyl, CDs, DVDs, books, comics, t-shirts, and even 8-track cartridges, with listening facilities available. Those looking for bargains can head to the outlet shops at the O2.
Best Places To Eat In Greenwich
Start your morning with porridge and tempting toppings on toast at Peyton and Byrne at 22 Greenwich Church Street. Or enjoy brunch and coffee at Grind, 17 Nelson Road. Other cafes and bakeries include Ole and Steen at 6 Crescent Arcade, Gail’s at 24 – 25 Nelson Road and Paul Rhodes (takeaway) at 37 King William Walk.
Goddards at Greenwich, 22 King William Walk, serves traditional British dishes like pie, mash with liquor or gravy with custard and crumble for afters. Try sausage and mash at Heap’s, 8 Nevada Street, fish and chips at Jack the Chipper, 334 Creek Road, or cream tea at the Cutty Sark. There’s also a wide selection of pub lunches available.
For lunch, check out the food stalls at Greenwich Market and the Cutty Sark Food Market from 30 March until 24 December, Thursday until Saturday from 10 am until 5.30 pm. For more lunch and dinner options, try Italian at Franco Manca at 29-31 Greenwich Church Street and Bianco 43 at 43 Greenwich Church Street. Try Asian cuisine at Sticks ‘n Sushi, 1 Nelson Road. Tuck into Turkish meals at Midpoint, 3, Anchor Iron Wharf. Fill up on Indian street food at Hullabaloo, 10 Greenwich Church Street.
Watch My Greenwich Video
Helpful Information About Greenwich
For a comprehensive overview, please go to the Visit Greenwich website. You should also pop into the Greenwich Tourist Information Centre at Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, SE10 9LW, open daily from 10 am until 5 pm. You can reach Greenwich via various transport methods; for example, the train from London Bridge to Greenwich on Southeastern and Thameslink takes approximately eight minutes. Or you can travel on the Docklands Light Railway to the Cutty Sark Station or underground to North Greenwich. There’s also the Uber Boat, which is always a fun way to travel, and plenty of bus options.
If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles of interest:
Best Things To Do In Greenwich:
North Greenwich To Greenwich Thames Path Walk
National Maritime Museum Greenwich
The Royal Observatory Greenwich
Best Places To Eat In Greenwich:
Goddards At Greenwich Pie And Mash
Breakfast At Peyton And Byrne Bakery Greenwich
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. To avoid disappointment, please check that the places I referenced in this article are still in business before you visit.
