Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich

Old Royal Naval College building in Greenwich
Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is best known for its beautiful Neoclassical exterior designed by the famous UK architect Sir Christopher Wren.

With its twin domes and long colonnades, the Old Royal Naval College was intentionally built in two separate halves in order to preserve the river views from The Queen’s House behind it.

Nonetheless, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is a breathtaking sight, and it houses two equally beautiful interior rooms that are worth visiting.

The first of these is the Painted Hall. The college’s Painted Hall is a masterpiece by artist James Thornhill, who cleverly painted himself into the scenery at the back of the room.

The second is the chapel in the opposite building. Decorated in the Greek classical style with Wedgewood-inspired ceiling colors, the chapel is a peaceful place to rest after a day of sightseeing in Greenwich.

Visiting the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is free of charge, making it a great part of a cheap day out in London.

 

The Queen’s House in Greenwich

Greenwich in London
Greenwich, London

The Queen’s House in Greenwich is a remarkable example of Palladian architecture by the famous 17th century architect Inigo Jones. It is a great place to visit on a day out in London.

The Queen’s House was commissioned by Anne of Denmark in 1616, and was completed in 1635. It held to the Renaissance ideals of balance, proportion, and symmetry that Jones had studied in Italy. In its time it marked a startling departure from the usual brick buildings in the UK.

The house is worth a visit if only to see the completely symmetrical cubic hall and the beautiful Tulip Staircase. The interiors are beautifully preserved, and the friendly staff can give you a private guided tour if you are interested.

The Queen’s House in Greenwich’s opening hours are 10:00 to 17:00, with the last admission at 16:30. Admission is free.

National Maritime Museum in Greenwich

Greenwich National Maritime Museum in London
National Maritime Museum

The UK’s National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, southeast London, is a great museum for lovers of naval history and the sea.

Home to numerous models of famous ships, special exhibitions, and the uniform Lord Nelson wore the day he was killed in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 (complete with the bullet hole), the museum is also a famous architectural work by the celebrated Sir Christopher Wren.

Visitors to the museum can enjoy the Voyagers Gallery, Traders Gallery, Atlantic Gallery, Maritime London Gallery, Ship of War Gallery, Upper Deck Gallery, Children’s Gallery, and Compass Lounge, where visitors are offered free WiFi.

The National Maritime Museum offers free entry for all, making it an integral part of a cheap day out in London. Special exhibitions cost 6 GBP for individuals and 5 GBP for groups.

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich’s opening hours are 10:00 to 17:00. The last admission is at 16:30.