Cycle Route London - St. Petersburg

Greenwich is the famous maritime district of south east London and features several popular attractions.

Greenwich town centre lies at the west end of the larger Royal Borough of Greenwich, which also includes Eltham and Woolwich. North Greenwich is a separate district and includes the O2 Arena.

Understand

Greenwich is a district of great historic importance and Maritime Greenwich is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nearby Blackheath is a leafy area of grand historic homes.

In 2012, Greenwich became a Royal Borough.

See

Although far from central London, Greenwich is the home of several interesting tourist attractions. The combination of Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory, the Queens House and the Royal Naval College make up Maritime Greenwich, which is a site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• ⊙The Cutty Sark, King William Walk (Adjacent to Greenwich Pier),  ☎ +44 20 8858 3445. 10:00-17:00, closed 24-26 Dec. A preserved tea and wool clipper built in 1869 which set the record for passage from Australia under sail. The ship was badly damaged by fire on 21 May 2007, but thankfully much of the ship's infrastructure had been removed at the time since a conservation project was underway. The site reopened in 2012 with changes to the display of the ship including raising it so that visitors can see the underneath. £13.50.  
• ⊙The Fan Museum, 12 Croom's Hill, SE10 8ER (DLR: Cutty Sark/Greenwich),  ☎ +44 20 8305 1441. Tu–Sa 11:00–17:00; Su 12:00–17:00. The world's largest fan museum, for those who are big fans of fans. £4 (adults) & £3 (children 7–16 yrs).  
• ⊙Greenwich Park. 06:00-sunset. Situated on a hill rising up from Greenwich town centre, the park offers impressive views from the hilltop across the River Thames to Docklands and the City of London. The park also provides a setting for several historic buildings, including the Royal Observatory, the old Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House. Free.  
• ⊙The National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, SE10 9NF (DLR: Cutty Sark),  ☎ +44 20 8858 4422. 10:00-17:00, closed 24-26 Dec. Contains the UK's national collection of Maritime artefacts (although do not expect much in the way of whole ships). One of the buildings housing the museum is the Queens House, built by Inigo Jones as the first Palladian building in England. Free.  
• ⊙The Royal Observatory, Flamsteed House (In middle of Greenwich Park),  ☎ +44 20 8858 4422. 10:00-17:00, closed 24-26 Dec. The home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, this is one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. It was founded by Charles II in 1675 and is, by international decree, the official starting point for each new day, year and millennium (at the stroke of midnight GMT as measured from the Prime Meridian). Now a detached part of the National Maritime Museum, it houses an impressive display and a recently-built planetarium. There are several different star shows per day and are well worth the money, especially as it's now the only celestial performance of its kind around, after the London Planetarium completely converted to Madame Tussauds. Free for entry to the observatory, £7 entrance for the Meridian Line and Flamsteed House, planetarium shows separate, £4.50-6.50 (combined tickets available).  (updated May 2015)
• ⊙The Royal Naval College, Old Royal Naval College, 2 Cutty Sark Gdns, SE10 9NN,  ☎ +44 20 8269 4747. Painted Hall and Chapel 10:00-17:00, closed 24-26 Dec. Built by Christopher Wren in 1694 as the Greenwich Hospital for the relief and support of seamen and their dependents and for the improvement of navigation. It became the Royal Naval College in 1869, and recently the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music have moved in. Best known for its Painted Hall, with elaborate ceiling and wall paintings executed by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726. Free.  
• ⊙Ranger's House, Chesterfield Walk, SE10 8QX,  ☎ +44 20 8294 2548. At Blackheath, the Ranger's House maintains a large ceramic collection. adults £6.70, children £4.00, concessions £6.00.  
• ⊙Emirates Aviation Experience, Emirates Aviation Experience, Edmund Halley Way, London SE10 0FR (Next to the Greenwich Peninsula terminal of the Emirates AirLine),  ☎ +44 20 3440 7021 (Monday-Friday), +44 20 3475 8299 (Saturday-Sunday). Winter 10:00 - 18:00, Summer 10:00 - 19:00. For families and aviation enthusiasts, Emirates has created an interactive exhibition about how their A380 planes operate. Upgraded tickets are available that give up to 4 people the opportunity to experience a flight simulator in either an A380 or B777 cockpit. There is also an on-site cafe and souvenir shop. 

Do

• ⊙The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (tube:North Greenwich),  ☎ +44 20 8463 2000. 09:00–01:00 (last admission). The former Millennium Dome has been transformed into a major entertainment complex consisting of a large arena which plays host to a number of world class perfomers, a cinema which includes the largest screen in the UK, and numerous bars and restaurants.  
• ⊙Blackheath Heath Fireworks Display,  ☎ +44 20 8314 7321. Every Guy Fawkes night (5th of November) Lewisham council put on a spectacular free fireworks display. In the past few years crowds of over 100,000 have amassed, so arrive early to secure a good spot. The heath also hosts funfairs and circus at various times of the year. Free.
• ⊙Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Rd, SE10 8NN (tube: Cutty Sark/Greenwich),  ☎ +44 8719 025732. Tends to show art-house films. The large Odeon multiplex has 18-screens, but is located a bit out-of-the way, at Bugsby Way, on the way to the O2 Arena. 
• ⊙Greenwich Theatre, Croom's Hill, SE10 8ES (tube: Cutty Sark/Greenwich),  ☎ +44 20 8858 7755.
• ⊙St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church St, SE10 9BJ (tube: Cutty Sark),  ☎ +44 20 8853 0687. A beautiful Baroque church designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor (and is rumoured to have links with Occultists, Freemasons and such-like). Hosts classical music concerts and organ recitals. Its Christmas choir is enjoyable also.