Just over 12 km from central London, Greenwich is a historic town with classic architecture, world class museums and an enviable riverside location. But visitors soon discover that the borough is a tantalising mixture of old and new. And that, whether you visit for a day or a little longer, there is so much to see here that you will soon be planning the return trip. Here are some of the top things to do in Greenwich.
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The Three Greenwichs
Greenwich has the longest riverfront in London, and the River Thames has always been central to its history. The Royal Borough is best known for its old town and maritime history, and it has a wealth of grand historic buildings, museums and hidden corners to discover. It also boasts royal parks and lots of green space.
But the locals will tell you that there are actually “three Greenwichs”… Once you have explored Maritime Greenwich you can then visit the Greenwich Peninsula, home to the O2 Arena and a variety of other attractions. Then there is Woolwich, an emerging destination brimming with history and culture.
Maritime Greenwich
The town of Greenwich is home to the Royal Observatory and to Greenwich Mean Time. You can stand on the Prime Meridian Line, and explore numerous attractions including the Old Royal Naval College (with its famous Painted Hall), the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House. Then there is the Cutty Sark, the last surviving tea clipper and at one time the fastest ship on the seas.
As if that isn’t enough, Greenwich also boasts a park that was once a royal hunting ground, numerous old pubs and the historic Greenwich market. And numerous films have been shot in the borough. The whole of this area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read more: Exploring Maritime Greenwich, A World Heritage Site.
The Greenwich Peninsula
If the town centre is the old part of Greenwich, the Peninsula is the modern destination. This area has been completely redeveloped over the last few years, and has become one of London’s popular places to live, with thousands of new homes, entertainments and modern amenities. But it is also very much a place that welcomes visitors.
The best known feature is the O2 Arena, originally built as the Millennium Dome and now a major entertainment complex full of shops, bars and recreational facilities. But there is much more to the Greenwich Peninsula than this. You’ll find the cutting edge Design District and a vast ecology park. And, of course, there is the waterfront, where you can enjoy a public art trail while following the long distance Thames Path around the peninsula.
If you’re travelling to or from Canary Wharf and London Docklands you might want to cross the river via the IFS Cloud Cable Car. This is London’s only cable car and offers panoramic views of the river and the city. It is also a destination in its own right, with the London Cable Car Experience, a family entertainment centre, right beside the Greenwich terminal.
Woolwich
Like the Peninsula, Woolwich is an up-and-coming destination. There is a surprising amount to see and do here: it is full of historic buildings but it is also reinventing itself as a cultural hub. And it is a lively town with bustling markets, pubs and restaurants.
Woolwich is based around the Royal Arsenal, a site of weapons manufacture for almost 500 years. Those with an interest in military history can walk around the site and read the information boards giving the history of the arsenal. But most of the buildings have now been repurposed for residential and other use.
Visitors can explore the Woolwich Works, a cultural area based around five industrial buildings and incorporating exhibition and events spaces, as well as a café. And the old Guard House is now a bar and restaurant. Elsewhere in Woolwich you can find St George’s Garrison Church (which has some stunning mosaics) and the Royal Artillery Barracks.
Close to the town is Woolwich Common, a conservation area used partly as military land and partly as a public park.
Eltham And Charlton
Close to Woolwich are the towns of Eltham and Charlton. Eltham is primarily known for Eltham Palace, a 20th century Art Deco mansion built around the remains of a Tudor palace that was once home to King Henry VIII. And in Charlton you can visit the Jacobean Charlton House and Gardens.
How To Get To Greenwich
There are lots of options for travelling to Greenwich; some are an excursion in themselves! If you are coming from central London a popular option is the Thames Clipper, the river boat that calls at several piers, including London Eye, London Bridge and Tower. You can buy a single ticket, or enjoy a river cruise with a flexible one day ticket. The boat stops at Greenwich, North Greenwich and Woolwich.
If you are in London Docklands, on the opposite side of the river from Greenwich, you have two options. To get to the Cutty Sark and the town centre you could walk through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, built in 1902 to allow workers to cross the river. The tunnel starts in Millwall and there are stairs and lifts at either end. Or to get to North Greenwich the IFS Cloud Cable Car leaves from Royal Docks, not far from Royal Victoria station.
Greenwich is also well served by public transport, including Docklands Light Railway, tube and overland rail. And there is a foot tunnel to Woolwich from North Woolwich, near to London City Airport.
Where To Stay In Greenwich
For many visitors Greenwich is just an easy day trip from London. However, with so much to see and do you may want to consider staying for a few nights. And easy access to the city and to Docklands means it is even worth considering as a base for a longer visit.
Greenwich Town Centre
The Novotel London Greenwich and the Ibis London Greenwich are reasonably priced options and conveniently situated for all the major sites. If you prefer to stay in a historic pub you could try The Mitre or the Admiral Hardy.
Greenwich Peninsula
Hotels on the peninsula tend to be more expensive, and include the luxury InterContinental London – The O2. Other options include the Radisson RED London Greenwich The O2 or the Pilot Inn.
Woolwich
If you are looking for budget accommodation try the Premier Inn London Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) or the Travelodge London Woolwich. There is also a range of self catering options in Woolwich.
This article is now featured on GPSMyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours in London.
