Greenwich is a historic riverside town sited on a loop in the Thames. Its buildings and exhibitions tell 1000 years of regal and maritime history. It was the site of royal palaces from the 15th century to the Civil War. After the Restoration a Royal Observatory was set up in Greenwich Park and the Greenwich Hospital for ex-seamen was built having been started as a new palace. It is now home to the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music. The Crooms Hill area features elegant Georgian residences. Greenwich's importance has been recognised by its designation as a World Heritage Site and in 2012 it became a Royal Borough.

	WHEN TO GO Weekends are best for markets although there are some stalls weekdays. There are often food stalls in the central market. Opening hours are 10-5:30. [website]
	GETTING THERE The pier is served by several boat services. There are DLR stations at Greenwich (High Road) and Cutty Sark (Creek Road). There are mainline stations at Greenwich (to the west) and Maze Hill (to the east). Travelcard Zone 2/3
	INFORMATION VISITOR INFORMATION is at Discover Greenwich (part of the Old Royal Naval College) SE10 9LW. Tel 0870 608 2000. Free local magazines/newspapers available. Open daily 10-5. [website] Greenwich Visitor is a free monthly publication. Online version [click here] Online information on Greenwich [click here]. Read my article on the Greenwich Meridian. Research the history of the area at Greenwich Heritage Centre (in Woolwich) [details]
	WALKS I have 4 routes in Greenwich - Maritime, West, Peninsula and Park. Maritime & West are circular from Cutty Sark DLR Station. Peninsula is circular from Maze Hill Station. Park is linear from Blackheath into Greenwich. Postcards detailing 4 walks around Greenwich available for small charge at Discover Greenwich (see below). Also Architecture & Craftmanship routes around the site (free). There is a pedestrian foot tunnel from Cutty Sark to Island Gardens from which there are good views of Greenwich. If the lifts aren't working there are a number of stairs to climb! Greenwich is on the Thames Path. Walk westwards through Deptford & Surrey Docks or eastwards around the peninsula to the Thames Barrier at Woolwich.
	PLACES TO VISIT OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE Tel 0800 389 3341 Now home to Greenwich University and Trinity College of Music. The grounds, Painted Hall and Chapel are open to the public. Free DISCOVER GREENWICH The Pepys Building, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9LW. Tel 020 8269 4799. The history of the Old Royal Naval College and maritime Greenwich from Tudor times to the present. Hands-on exhibits and gallery for changing exhibitions. Open daily. Admission free. Also houses visitor information, shop and microbrewery with bar, cafe & restaurant. NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM Romney Road SE10 9NF. Tel 020 8858 4422 The galleries cover many aspects of ships, seafaring and marine affairs. Shop and cafes. Open daily 10-5. Free but charge for special exhibitions. Also the QUEEN'S HOUSE (currently closed) This fine Stuart house is now part of the Museum housing some of its collections. ROYAL OBSERVATORY Greenwich Park Tel 020 8858 4422 Astronomy Centre. Shop & cafe. Open daily 10-5. Free. Note: Flamsteed House and the Meridian Line Courtyard are now chargeable but tickets are valid for a year. RANGER'S HOUSE Chesterfield walk SE10 Tel 020 8853 0035 Now houses the Werhner Collection. Limited opening. Charge but free to members of English Heritage and reciprical organisations THE FAN MUSEUM 12 Crooms Hill SE10. Tel 020 8858 7879 A museum devoted to fans in an attractive house with painted orangery and Japanese garden. Includes details of their construction and changing themed displays from the collection. Open Tues - Sat 11-5 & Sunday 12-5. Themed shop. Friends organisation. Charge but free to OAPs Tues 2-5pm. Members of the Art Fund receive concessions.
	ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS The Old Royal Naval College has a programme of events. Tel 020 8269 4791. The University of Greenwich hosts events on its Maritime Greenwich Campus. Tel 020 8331 8000. Trinity College of Music (based in King Charles Court) performs free lunchtime concerts in the college, Chapel and St Alfege's Church during term time. Tel 020 8305 4444. The National Maritime Museum group has a programme of events. Tel 020 8858 4422.
	EATING OUT Greenwich Park. The colonnade of the NMM (under cover). Lawn & patio by Discover Greenwich and Cutty Sark Gardens. Gardens in front of Devonport House. Cheap eats at Noodle Time in Nelson Road Toilets in the Park (charge), Discover Greenwich, Maritime Museum and King William Walk
	SHOPPING/MARKETS Greenwich Market has shops (open all week) plus stalls Tue - Sun 10-5:30 [more info]. There is also a market by the cinema at weekends and there is a cheap bookshop opposite. The Maritime Museum shop sells themed merchandise.
	CHURCHES ST ALFEGE'S CHURCH Greenwich Church Street. Tel 020 8853 0687. The 12th century church was rebuilt as one of the '50 new churches' by Hawksmoor in 1711-4. The tower of 1730 is by John James. It was virtually gutted in WWII but restored by Sir Albert Richardson. General James Wolfe, killed at Quebec in 1759 and composer Thomas Tallis who died in 1585 are buried here. Aims to open most days (generally 11-3) but relies on volunteers. Information sheets and panels. Small shop. Lunchtime concerts most Thursdays at 1:10. Tel: 020 8853 0687 [website] OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA Crooms Hill. This RC church with its prominent spire was designed by William Wardell in 1851. It has furnishings by Pugin.
	GREEN SPACES Greenwich is the oldest Royal Park and was previously used for hunting. There are still deer within an enclosure. The 200 acre park is sited on an escarpment between Blackheath and riverside Greenwich. See my walk route for details of features. There is a Friends organisation [website] The grounds of the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Also pleasant gardens in front of Devonport House. The Point (accessed from Point Hill) is a grassed area from which there are extensive views. Beneath are the Blackheath Caverns - former chalk mines (no access). The churchyard garden of St Alfege's has improved but is not one of the better places and Cutty Sark 'Gardens' are mostly hard landscaped.
	WATER FEATURES The Greenwich waterfront (on the Thames Path) is full of interest There is a lake in the Flower Gardens of Greenwich Park and a boating pond (seasonal) on the Park Vista side. There are remnants of the water systems that supplied the palace/hospital with a covered reservoir, conduit head and standard house (by Hawksmoor) in the park. There is another conduit head of 1710 at West Grove.
	WORTH SEEING What's on at Greenwich Theatre where tickets prices are very reasonable. The interior of the Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College Vanbrugh Castle in Maze Hill [more info] Views from Wolfe's statue and One Tree Hill in the park and also The Point. The Flower Gardens in Greenwich Park (SE corner)

london-footprints.co.uk 2016

Back to Intro