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History & Architecture |
Echoes of the past resonate
through the heart of Greenwich . Designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site because of its architectural, scientific,
maritime and royal associations, Greenwich has taken its place alongside
other important sites such as the Tower of London, Kew Gardens and
the Taj Mahal.
| The Queen's House |
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Situated on the bank of the river Thames, in southeast London , it
possesses an ensemble of architecturally significant buildings and
landscapes. These include The Old Royal Naval College, The
National Maritime Museum, The Royal Observatory, The Queen's House
and Greenwich Park. The view from the General Wolfe
statue at the top of Greenwich Park looks out across London and is
a specially protected vista.
Greenwich has Roman and Anglo-Saxon
remains in the Park but its principal legacy derives from its
royal history.
The Tudor palace
of Placentia , which stood on the site of the magnificent Old Royal
Naval College , was a favourite residence of Henry VIII
and Elizabeth I and where both were born. The last
addition to the palace, the Queen's House, was
begun in 1617. Now part of the National Maritime Museum , it forms
the historical and visual link between the vanished glories of Placentia
and the classical formality of the landscape today.
With its fine Georgian shops and
terraces round the covered market and many other buildings
dating back to around 1700, Greenwich remains a place of charm and
activity.
It is also the reference point for the world's time.
It is to Greenwich that everyone else on earth looks to set their
watches. The Prime Meridian – Longitude 0°
- at the Royal Observatory is the official baseline from which world
time is measured. Every new day officially begins at the Royal Observatory.
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Greenwich has played a key role in the story of Britain
's sea power for over 400 years and today it's museums celebrate
that maritime history. |
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| Architecture |
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Greenwich is renowned internationally for its magnificent
architecture. Highlights include the National Maritime Museum,
the Royal Observatory, the Queen's House and the Old Royal
Naval College.. |
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| The Prime
Meridian, the point where east meets west at zero
degrees longitude, celebrated its 125th anniversary
on 22 October 2009.
The Greenwich Meridian was chosen as the Prime Meridian of the world in 1884 when 41 delegates from 25 countries met at the International Meridian Conference in Washington DC. Why not celebrate the anniversary with a visit?
Royal Observatory
Greenwich Park
10.00am-5.00pm daily.
Contact Greenwich
Tourist Information Centre on 0870 608 2000 or tic@greenwich.gov.uk
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