Pictures of The Royal Observatory, Greenwich

a Historic Building in the town of Greenwich, in the county of Greater London

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich Picture Tour Hotels near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich Submit a history of The Royal Observatory, Greenwich Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns The Royal Observatory, Greenwich Reviews Submit pictures The Royal Observatory, Greenwich Map Add attraction to favourites

About The Royal Observatory, Greenwich

The Royal Observatory was constructed by Sir Christopher Wren following the appointment of John Flamsteed as Royal Astronomer in 1675.

This is the home of Greenwich Meantime, since 1884 the world has set its clocks in accordance with the time of day on the Meridian of Greenwich, and since 1833 its red time-ball has fallen daily at exactly 1300 hours to enable the world's shipping to set their clocks accurately. Thus, this is one of the most important international scientific sites in the world.

The Observatory is part of the National Maritime Museum, one of the most famous features of Greenwich. During the past decade it has undergone a period of change and redevelopment to enable it to offer new galleries, a state of the art planetarium and an educational facility. For 2006 there will also be a new Time Gallery. All of this makes the Royal Observatory one of the most exciting attractions in London, and it is therefore unsurprising to find thousands of visitors flock there annually.

From the Observatory grounds the views over London are quite spectacular, the parkland opposite covers some 183 acres, this is the oldest of London's enclosed Royal Parks and it provides a worthy setting for the Observatory and the adjacent cluster of other historic buildings. After the thrilling experience of the Observatory the park is the perfect place to relax, soak up the atmosphere and ponder over all the wonderful things you have seen.

Add attraction to favourites

Recommended attractions near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich

	Greenwich Park (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) Greenwich Park covers 73 hectares (183 acres) and is the oldest enclosed Royal Park. Greenwich Park is situated on a hilltop with..... Information | Pictures (87) | Hotels
	The National Maritime Museum (0.2 miles, 0.4 km) This museum is one of the most important of all the British museums, for it is a unique celebration of the history of the British..... Information | Pictures (15) | Hotels
	Old Royal Naval College (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) .. Information | Pictures (69) | Hotels
	Cutty Sark Museum Ship (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) The Cutty Sark is the only surviving extreme clipper in the world. She now sits in dry dock and is one of the great sights of..... Information | Pictures (16) | Hotels
	Canary Wharf (2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW) This is London's newest and brightest business district. It offers luxurious office buildings with up to the minute facilities,..... Information | Pictures (53) | Hotels

All attractions in Greater London
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns & villages near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich

	Greenwich (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) The might of british sea-power and the historic town of Greenwich are inseparable. Two famous English sea-faring vessels are here, one is the Cutty Sark, a famous old clipper that shipped tea from China in the 19th-century, and the other, from the 20th-century is Gypsy Moth 1V, sailed round the world by Sir Francis Chichester... Information | Pictures (235) | Hotels
	Eltham (3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction SE) The attractive suburb of Eltham is part of the urban sprawl of Greater London... Information | Pictures (30) | Hotels
	London (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction W) London is one of the World's most exciting, cultural destinations where visitors can walk with history whilst enjoying all that is best of modern day facilities, shops, theatres..... Information | Pictures (1750) | Hotels
	Westminster (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction W) Of all the jewels in the City of Westminster, none shines more brightly than Westminster Abbey, stunning setting for the coronation of almost every English monarch since William the Conqueror was crowned there in 1066... Information | Pictures (21) | Hotels
	St Pancras (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction NW) The name of the area is taken from the boy martyred in AD 304. Pancras was the orphaned Christian son of a Phrygian nobleman who was brought up at the court of the Emperor in Rome... Information | Pictures (15) | Hotels

All towns in Greater London
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Cutty Sark Station	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Greenwich Station	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
New Cross Tube Station	(1.2 miles, 2.0 km, direction W)
New Cross Gate Tube Station	(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction W)
London City Airport	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NE)
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich to London	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 4	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction N)
M25 Junction 3 / M20 Junction 1	(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE)
London Heathrow Airport	(19.3 miles, 31.0 km, direction W)

Accommodation & Hotels near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich

Hotel Name
De Vere Venue Devonport House	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Novotel London Greenwich	(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)
The Clarendon Hotel	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Express By Holiday Inn Greenwich	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction NE)
Hilton London Canary Wharf	(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction N)
Britannia International Hotel	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction NW)
Fraser Place Canary Wharf	(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction N)
Hilton London Docklands	(2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction NW)
Ibis London Excel	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction N)
Crowne Plaza London - Docklands	(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction NE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts