Pictures of The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
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
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
| Greenwich Park | (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) | Pictures |
| The National Maritime Museum | (0.2 miles, 0.4 km) | Pictures |
| Old Royal Naval College | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| Cutty Sark Museum Ship | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| Canary Wharf | (2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Eltham Palace | (3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Three Mills | (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Tower Bridge | (3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| City Hall, London | (3.8 miles, 6.0 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Tower of London | (3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
All attractions in Greater LondonComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Greenwich, in the county of Greater London (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Eltham, in the county of Greater London (3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction SE)
The attractive suburb of Eltham is part of the urban sprawl of Greater London.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
London, a Historic City in the county of Greater 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...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Westminster, in the county of Greater London (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Pancras, in the county of Greater London (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Piccadilly, in the county of Greater London (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction W)
One of the Capital's most noted places, Piccadilly sweeps uphill with handsome houses on one side and Green Park on the other.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Stoke Newington, in the county of Greater London (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW)
Stoke Newington offers visitors a diverse cultural experience, it has restaurants of all types of cuisine, plenty of pubs, clubs, shops and markets, and is sufficiently close to all the historic attractions at the heart of the City of London.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mayfair, in the county of Greater London (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction W)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Marylebone, in the county of Greater London (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NW)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Stamford Hill, in the county of Greater London (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NW)
Stamford Hill lies in the north of the London Borough of Hackney. It is a popular residential area, and home to one of Europes' largest Orthodox Jewish communities.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in Greater LondonComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby 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 |