Discovering Greenwich
Greenwich is a town on the southeastern part of London. Previously a distinct town, today it is part of the urban sprawn of Greater London. It sits on the south bank of the River Thames in the London Borough of Greenwich, and is best known throughout the world as the location of Greenwich Mean Time. It is also a place steeped in maritime history.
The Royal Observatory (previously Royal Greenwich Observatory) is located in Greenwich and the Prime Meridian passes through the building. At one time, Greenwich Mean Time was based on the time observations made at the Royal Observatory, before being superseded by Coordinated Universal Time. Although Greenwich no longer hosts a working astronomical observatory, a ball still drops daily to mark the exact moment of 1 pm (13:00). There is a museum of astronomical and navigational tools, particularly John Harrison's marine chronometers.
The observatory is situated in Greenwich Park, which used to be the grounds of the Royal Palace of Placentia. At the bottom of the park is the National Maritime Museum which also includes the Queen's House, designed by Inigo Jones.
The landmark of maritime Greenwich is the Old Royal Naval College, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It is open daily to visitors, free of charge. Several of the buildings are let to The University of Greenwich and one, the King Charles block, to Trinity College of Music. Guided tours are available daily 7 days a week.
Greenwich also has the only museum in the world dedicated to fans, the Fan Museum, in a Georgian townhouse at 10–12 Croom's Hill. On the corner of the junction with Nevada Street is Greenwich Theatre, formerly Crowder's Music Hall - one of two Greenwich theatres, the other being Greenwich Playhouse.
The Cutty Sark (a clipper ship) has been preserved in a dry dock by the river. A major fire in May 2007 destroyed a part of the ship, although much had already been removed for restoration. Its future has yet to be decided. Nearby for many years was also displayed Gipsy Moth IV, the 54ft yacht sailed by Sir Francis Chichester in his single-handed, 226-day circumnavigation of the globe during 1966–67. In 2004, Gypsy Moth IV was removed from Greenwich, and after restoration work completed a second circumnavigation in May 2007. On the riverside in front of the north-west corner of the Hospital is an obelisk erected in memory of Arctic explorer Joseph René Bellot.
Near the remains of the Cutty Sark, a circular building contains the entrance to the Greenwich foot tunnel. This connects Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs on the northern side of the River Thames. The north exit of the tunnel is at Island Gardens, from where the famous view of Greenwich Hospital painted by Canaletto can be seen.
The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome) was built on a disused site on the Greenwich Peninsula, next to the North Greenwich tube station and three miles east from the Greenwich town centre. The Greenwich Millennium Village is a new urban regeneration development south of the Dome.
East Greenwich has a small park, East Greenwich Pleasaunce, formerly the burial ground of Greenwich Hospital. The town centre features Greenwich Market, a covered market popular with tourists on weekends. The owners, Greenwich Hospital, is considering developing the site while retaining the Market.
In 1997, maritime Greenwich was inscribed by Unesco as a World Heritage Sites. In conjunction with this honour, Asteroid 2830 was named "Greenwich".
Getting there
Greenwich is located about 11km (7 miles) southeast of Trafalgar Square, on the south bank of the River Thames.
Nearest National Rail Station: Greenwich
Docklands Light Railway: Take train to Island Gardens station, then walk through the tunnel to Greenwich
Buses: No. 188
River Boats: Take ferry boat from Westminster Millennium Pier. Journey takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
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24-hour Gate Clock at Royal Observatory showing Greenwich Mean Time
author: TeddyBare | Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
Greenwich Park
author: Jørgen K H Knudsen | Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
The Meridian in Greenwich
author: Reidl Rómeó | Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
Greenwich Location Map
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Greenwich, London
