Greenwich

Greenwich, where East meets West at the Greenwich Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) from which all world time zones are based and a serene setting near the River Thames for exploring some of London’s treasures. With its rich mix of museums, galleries, architecture, maritime history, parks and palaces, Greenwich has something for everyone.

The National Maritime Museum, one of the world’s great maritime museum was opened to the public in 1937 by King George VI. It includes the 17th-century Queen’s House and, from the 1950s, the Royal Observatory. Entry to all NMM’s sites are free, with charges only for some special exhibitions.

The Museum is also unique in the architectural importance of its main buildings, the Queen’s House in particular being the keystone of the historic park-and-palace landscape of ’Maritime Greenwich’, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The Queen’s House, built for an English Queen and used as a model for the White House in Washington DC, is truly a magnificent building.

Greenwich Royal Observatory, home of Zero Longitude, World Time and where the millennium officially begins for the world 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. Visitors to the Observatory can stand in both the eastern and western hemispheres simultaneously by placing their feet either side of the Prime Meridian - the centre of world time and space.

The Observatory galleries unravel the extraordinary phenomena of time, space and astronomy. The Planetarium lets visitors explore the wonders of the heavens and Flamsteed House, Sir Christopher Wren’s original building, also has London’s only public camera obscura.

On the afternoon of Monday, 22nd November, 1869, a beautiful little clipper ship was launched from Scott and Linton’s shipyard on the Clyde. She bore a name that was to become famous throughout the world and was destined to win a place in the hearts of British seamen, manly due to the fact that she was the only clipper left. Her name was the Cutty Sark. The Cutty Sark is an impressive site in dry dock besides the River Thames and you may climb aboard to see what life was like sailing the high seas under sail. Gypsy Moth IV is another craft besides the Cutty Sark where Sir Chichester sailed single-handed around the world breaking many records along the way.

Greenwich Market was established and granted a Royal Charter in 1849. A vibrant market packed full of unique and distinctive arts and crafts. Well known for its designer makers and small cottage industries, customers have access to items that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Come and enjoy the slow-paced atmosphere, take in some classical music performed by students from nearby Trinity College of Music, enjoy the continental food court whilst browsing through the wonderful array of over 120 arts and crafts stalls. To relax afterwards or picnic under the sun head to the Greenwich Royal Park, London’s oldest royal park where you can enjoy panoramic views over Docklands and the City of London. The park was stocked with deer in 1515, and their descendants still roam in the area today, known as The Wilderness. Concerts are held by the bandstand in the summer and occasional entertainment takes place near the Old Royal Observatory.

Greenwich has a variety of events and entertainment to enjoy day and night. Take time to watch a theatre performance, concert or festival, such as the acclaimed Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, which takes place annually in July. For drinks or a bite to eat Greenwich has a wealth of formal and informal restaurants, bars and corner pubs as any good suburb of London should have.

The Greenwich Foot Tunnel runs under the River Thames between Cutty Sark Gardens and Island Gardens, on the Isle of Dogs. It is 1,217 feet in length and approx. 50 feet deep and lined with 200,000 white tiles. Its original purpose was to allow south Londoners to work in the docks on the Isle of Dogs, but today it is used mainly for funs sake and to sing U2 songs at the top of your voice while listening to your echo. (try the song ‘ In the name of love’)

Greenwich although quite a far from the city centre is easy to reach by train or riverboat, but I would suggest to put aside a day to relax in this gorgeous area and soak up the atmosphere.