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Royal Observatory Greenwich: The Complete Guide

TripSavvy / Gautier Houba

Royal Observatory Greenwich

One of the best views of London’s skyline can be found at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, a museum that is part of Royal Museums Greenwich along with the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and the Queen’s House. But the Royal Observatory isn’t just about the views. Visitors can learn about the history of Greenwich Mean Time, as well as the study of the cosmos, in the historic complex.

Located in Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time, also known as GMT. The structure was created after King Charles II appointed a Royal Commission to investigate astronomy. One of the commission’s members, Sir Christopher Wren, suggested using Greenwich Castle, which sat in ruins, as the site for the new scientific observatory. Building first began in August of 1675 and it has expanded over the years. It’s been the site of the Prime Meridian since the 19th century, officially selected to mark global time in 1884 at the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich officially opened to the public in 1960, first allowing visitors into Flamsteed House. It was re-opened in 2007 with new galleries, an education center and the Peter Harrison Planetarium.

How to Get There

Royal Observatory Greenwich is easily accessible from central London. Visitors can arrive by train, a light-rail known as the DLR or by boat. There are several stations nearby the Observatory, including the Cutty Sark DLR stop, Greenwich Pier and three rail stations, Greenwich, Blackheath and Maze Hill. When departing from central London, the best stops to leave from are Cannon Street, London Bridge or Bank stations, all of which connect to the Underground. Bus routes 53, 54, 202 and 380 also all stop near the Observatory. It’s important to note that from each rail station, visitors will need to walk uphill to uphill to get to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, although there is a wheelchair accessible route.

Consider the limited parking available around Greenwich if you drive, especially on the weekends. There are several parking lots around Greenwich Park, each of which allows parking for a maximum of four hours. There is also a public car park at the National Maritime Museum, which welcomes visitors to any of the Greenwich museums, including Royal Observatory Greenwich.

What to See and Do

There’s a lot to see in and around Royal Observatory Greenwich, so be sure to give yourself at least a few hours. Visitors can start by standing on the actual Prime Meridian line, which is included in the ticket price for the Observatory, and inspect the Great Equatorial Telescope, the U.K.’s largest historic telescope, which is over 100 years old. The main exhibition details the history of time telling as it relates to the Prime Meridian, as well as how the Observatory has been used to study space. Other notable items on display include Harrison’s clocks, the Shepherd Gate Clock and the Time Ball, and the Octagon Room is particularly memorable space in the Observatory.

Although it’s not included in the Observatory ticket, visitors can also experience one of the space-themed shows in the Peter Harrison Planetarium. These include “Moons Beyond Counting,” about the solar system’s many moons, and “Ted’s Space Adventure,” an educational program meant for those under age 7.

Special events and activities are frequent at the Royal Observatory. Bring the kids to a Young Astronomers Workshop, hand-on activities led by “Observatory Explainers,” or enroll in an Astronomy Course, which run throughout the year. Royal Museums Greenwich also hosts a series of film screenings called “Silver Screen Science Fiction,” where visitors can enjoy classics and newer films that center on science. Each is followed by a talk by one of the Observatory’s astronomers.

Eating and Drinking

The Astronomy Café & Terrace is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, offering snacks and lunch dishes for visitors (although you don’t need a museum ticket to access the café). The outdoor terrace is covered in case of rain. Other nearby dining options are located in the National Maritime Museum, which is home to the two-floor Parkside Café & Terrace and the Great Map Café. Both offer a special children’s menu for younger visitors and are walking distance from the Royal Observatory. Another great option is the Cutty Sark Cafe, housed inside the Cutty Sark, which serves up a daily afternoon tea. The price of the tea includes admission to the historic ship. Alternatively, bring along your own food and drink for a picnic in Greenwich Park.

Tips for Visiting

Ticket options for the Royal Observatory can be confusing since there are multiple ways to get entry into the site. The best deal is a Day Explorer ticket, which includes access to the Observatory as well as the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and the Meridian Line. There are separate costs for adult and child tickets, and each ticket includes an audio guide. Another option, if you think you’ll visit more than once a year, is a family membership, which includes planetarium shows and is equal to the cost of two adult one-day tickets.

Shows at the Peter Harrison Planetarium are booked separately, so do a little digging on which show you’ll want to experience during your visit. Early booking online is recommended, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Parents with kids will find baby-change facilities and toilets in the Royal Observatory on the lower ground floor and there are also cloakrooms on-site if you’ve come burdened with a lot of bags and coats. While the Royal Observatory doesn’t have exhibitions specific to kids, the National Maritime Museum has two dedicated children’s galleries and hosts “Play Tuesday” with programmed activities for young ones.

As with many of the London’s popular attractions, the Royal Observatory (and the other nearby museums) can get very crowded, particularly if you visit over a weekend. To avoid the crowds try to arrive right when it opens during a weekday. Most school groups visit in the afternoons, which also contribute to the crowds, so plan to get there early. Head first to the Prime Meridian Line, where the lines can be long, to snap a photo before going through the exhibitions. 

Things to Do Nearby

Besides the other Greenwich museums and Greenwich Park, the area has plenty to do and see. Take in a concert at the massive O2 Arena, which hosts musical performances throughout the year, or stroll through Greenwich Market, which sells crafts and antiques seven days a week. The Emirates Air Line cable car carries visitors from Greenwich across the Thames to the Royal Docks and is a great way to get a view of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. Greenwich is also home to Eltham Palace, an art deco mansions that welcomes the public to tour the rooms and grounds.

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The Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian, is located within Greenwich Park at the top of the steep hill overlooking the Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum.

The Royal Observatory is managed as part of the National Maritime Museum and contains the Astronomy Centre, Flamsteed House and the Meridian Courtyard as well as the Peter Harrison Planetarium, London's only planetarium.

You can visit the Royal Observatory, Planetarium and even stand either side of the Meridian Line. For further information, visit the Royal Observatory website .

The history of the Royal Observatory

In 1675 King Charles II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to build the Royal Observatory on the site of Duke Humphrey's medieval watchtower. It was named Flamsteed House in about 1720, after John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal.

Flamsteed was appointed to make a map of the heavens. It was hoped that this would solve the 'longitude problem' that bedevilled early navigation.

The red time ball on the eastern turret was installed in 1833 and is dropped daily at 1pm as a signal of the time to boats on the Thames. Tompion's tall pendulum clocks and the chronometers devised by John Harrison can also be seen here.

In the garden next to the house is Flamsteed's well. The Astronomer used to lie on a mattress at the bottom of its 100-foot drop to make observations through a glass.

In 1893, a 28-inch refracting telescope was designed to keep the Royal Observatory at the forefront of contemporary astronomy and still remains the largest in the UK and one of the largest in the world.

Prices and opening times

The Royal Observatory is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Adult tickets cost £8. Child tickets cost £4 (Planetarium shows not included).

For more information and booking visit the Royal Observatory website .  

Guide to spending 1 Day at The Royal Observatory of Greenwich

Things to do in London Royal Observatory Greenwich

Amidst the peak of the very famous Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory can be seen nestled in its central lap. The observatory gives assurance to its visitors, an educational experience which is worth visiting. It is one of the world’s most significant museums of an astronomical site, where you can learn about on time standardization, about the making of the first telescope and the evolution of science over the years. Take an enchanting tour through the remarkable history of Britain’s astronomical world, the Prime Meridian of the World and the Greenwich Mean Time . You can also enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the entire London city skyline from the museum.

Royal Observatory Greenwich - In a Nutshell

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Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Royal Observatory Greenwich Address

Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, UK Get Directions

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When Europeans started exploring the vastness of the deep blue seas of the world as well as the options of trade with their neighbouring countries, there was a necessity of ample capacity of astronomical information; efficiency to assist cartography, navigation, timekeeping and lastly, how to measure longitude. This was resolved when King Charles II decided to look into investing in astronomy. On March 4th 1675, the King was recommended by the Royal Commission for the establishment of Britain’s first state-funded scientific institution, an observatory and the assignment of an astronomer. King Charles reportedly called for immediate action and on the same day, John Flamsteed was named ‘astronomer’ and the first part of the Observatory to be built was the Flamsteed House. In 1818, the Royal Observatory was reassigned to the Admiralty for significant expansion. At present, the Royal Observatory features a record of a working observatory with instruments belonging to the 18th & 19th centuries.

Royal Observatory Greenwich Entrance Tickets

• Explore the Royal Observatory
• See the amazing Flamsteed House
• Stand on the Prime Meridian

Royal Museums of Greenwich Day Explorer Pass

• Admission to the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory
• Admire Harrison’s ingenious marine clocks
• Plan to spend a whole day here

Must-See At The Greenwich Observatory

Flamsteed house.

The first part of the Observatory to be built was the Flamsteed House. It was built with the intention to serve as a home for the Royal Astronomer and for the entertainment of their guests. This House has been the home to many astronomers, children, cooks, nursemaids as well as servants. It is considered as one of the most famous spots in the observatory where visitors can go for an audio guide tour to learn more about the house.

Don't forget to watch the red time ball rise and drop at 1 pm, which takes place every day in the yard. In 1833, the first public time signal in England was broadcasted from the roof of Flamsteed House, by dropping a ball at an estimated time. Ever since then, this ceremony takes place each day at 12.55 when the ball hoisted at the centre of a pole, reaches the top at two minutes to the hour and exactly at 1.00, the time ball drops.

Prime Meridian Courtyard

The Prime Meridian Courtyard is a must see when you visit the Royal Observatory. A brass line in the ground is where you find the east meeting the west and you can feel like a superhero with one foot on the eastern hemisphere and the other on the western hemisphere. The Observatory has been the historical origin of the world’s Prime Meridian since the late 19th century. In October 1884, Greenwich was chosen as the Prime Meridian of the World and has also won the prize of Longitude 0º during the International Meridian Conference which was held in Washington D.C.

Great Equatorial Telescope

Gaze upon one of the biggest telescopes in the world as you stand in awe under the stunning fibreglass dome of the Royal Observatory. Land yourself amidst the stars by looking through the telescope during the special Evening with the Stars event. The mount on which the telescope rests rotates on the same axis as that of Earth’s which allows it to follow a star from east to west across the sky. This 28-inch refracting telescope is the seventh largest in the world and should be on your list of places to visit in the Royal Observatory.

Peter Harrison Planetarium

The shows in Peter Harrison planetarium are high quality and the information is absolutely mindblowing. It is highly recommended for everyone, families and couples to visit this planetarium! For the best views of the shows, one can head all the way to the back of the planetarium where the seats are super comfy. If you're an adult who is interested in space then you can also visit some of the night shows. End your day by picking a beautiful picnic spot in the lush green park or stroll around the park.

Royal Observatory Opening Hours:

Daily: 10 AM to 5 PM

Getting There:

• Ride the metro using the Docklands Light Railway with your destination as the Greenwich Cutty Sark stop, which takes about 20 minutes from Central London.
• Hop on a double-decker bus to enjoy the London breeze with bus stops located near the Royal Observatory along the Routes 53, 54, 202 and 380. The observatory is just a short 15-minute walk from here.
• Fancy an oceanic adventure with your loved ones, then you can opt for arriving in style by boat with the Thames Clipper or a sight-seeing cruise.

Rules & Regulations:

For a hassle-free experience of visitors, staff members and volunteers, refer to the regulations stated by the royal museums official page .

An easy to visit spot straight after or before exploring the Greenwich Observatory is the Cutty Sark . Take your kids along to enjoy the preserved ship, games, and some of the remarkable quarters which will surely impress most youngsters and history buffs. It is the only clipper ship left in the world and has travelled across distances that are equivalent to that of the moon and back in its 52-year career as a cargo ship.

Old Royal Naval College

Take a tour of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich to visit the remarkable Painted Hall created by Thornhill which is linked to the Skittle Alley. This one is really worth your time as there is the provision of lots of valuable information. An equally worth visit is to the beautiful Chapel with its grandeur ceiling giving you more options to explore. Wren designed these buildings perfectly. The Painted Hall is where Nelson laid in the state prior to his burial. The grounds are extremely beautiful and a short walk takes you to the visitor centre. The Royal Observatory is not far. Everything else is free.

National Maritime Museum

Explore the National Maritime Museum which is the world’s largest maritime museum. This has an interior which is exceptional with so much to see. It is filled with thousands of artefacts, maps, artwork, chart, and all things marine. The artefacts are well arranged with a perfect blend of objects and pictures. It is spaciously designed and suited for all ages. The museum is easily accessible by bus, boat, train or tube. If you are in Greenwich then this Museum is definitely worth a visit.

Queen’s House

Adjacent to the National Maritime Museum is the Queen’s House which has an exquisite artwork and architecture to mesmerise you with. Step through the doors and find yourself in the impressive Great Hall. This perfectly proportioned hall has a striking marble floor, with a monochrome geometric design originally laid in 1635. The best part about the museum is that the entry is absolutely free. A visit to the Queen's House is a must as part of any day out in Greenwich.

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"We went with our twin eight-year-old grandchildren and absolutely loved it. There is something magical about standing astride the prime meridian. The science is extremely well explained and the children got a good introduction to time and astronomy. Well worth the £48 for two adults and two children. Greenwich park is lovely and the walk through Greenwich was very interesting. My advice to visitors is to go by boat and get a combined ticket."

- SergeLourie, April 2019 Tripadvisor

“The whole Greenwich area is an amazingly peaceful place, packed with green parks and nice streets. Visit the Observatory, a must see. The nearby maritime museum, too. Allow yourself the whole day for this part of London.“

- barbara_uNovaGorica, April 2019 Tripadvisor

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FAQs: Royal Observatory Greenwich

What is significant about the royal observatory in greenwich.

Since the late 19th century, the Royal Observatory is  the historic source of the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude 0° 0' 0'' . The world prime meridian marks the divide between the eastern and western hemispheres. Before this, almost every town in the world kept its own local time.

Is Greenwich observatory free entry?

Visit the free interactive galleries at the Royal Observatory's Astronomy Centre to get answers to all the big questions about space, time and the universe – all completely free of charge.

Where was Royal Observatory before Greenwich?

In 1990 the Royal Observatory moved from Herstmonceux to a new site at Cambridge, adjacent to the University's Institute of Astronomy, where it occupied Greenwich House just to the north of the Cambridge Observatory.

Can you look through the telescope at the Royal Observatory?

Anyone visiting Greenwich can see the telescope's distinctive 'onion dome' roof when they look up towards the Royal Observatory. But to truly appreciate the scale of the Great Equatorial Telescope, you have to step inside.

Why was the Royal Observatory built?

The purpose of the Royal Observatory was a practical one: to reduce shipwrecks. At that time mariners had no accurate way of working out their position when out of sight of land. They could find their latitude (north-south position) by observing the sun or stars, but not their longitude (east-west position).

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The Royal Observatory Greenwich

…where east meets west.

• Brief History -->
• The Greenwich Meridian -->
• Greenwich (1675–1958) -->
• Herstmonceux (1948–1990) -->
• Cambridge (1990–1998) -->
•   |-->– Chingford (1822–1924) -->
•   |-->– Deal (1864–1927) -->
•   |-->– Abinger (1923–1957) -->
•   |-->– Bristol & Bradford on Avon     (1939–1948) -->
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•   |-->– Hartland (1955–1967) -->
•   |-->– Cape of Good Hope     (1959–1971) -->
•   |-->– Funding -->
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•   |-->– Pay -->
•   |-->– Regulations -->
•   |-->– Royal Warrants -->
• Contemporary Accounts -->
• Publications -->
• Science -->
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• Telescopes -->
• Chronometers -->
• Clocks & Time -->
• Board of Longitude -->
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The Royal Observatory

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The work of John Flamsteed and others permitted accurate measurement of the Earth’s movement and contributed to the development of global navigation. The choice of Greenwich for the Prime Meridian in 1884 means that the Royal Observatory sits at the meeting point of the eastern and western hemispheres on a map of the world. It is a popular photographing opportunity for visitors to straddle the line. After dark a green laser beams out northwards along the Meridian line.

'Greenwich Mean Time’ has become a world standard since 1833, 1 o’clock in the afternoon (1300 hours) has been signalled by the raising and lowering of the red ‘time-ball’ at the Observatory. This was intended to be visible to ships in the Thames and the former London docks as a check for chronometers and remains a symbol of the Royal Observatory’s importance to navigation and seaborne trade.

The Royal Observatory contains a number of instruments connected with its role as the centre of astronomical measurement, for ‘finding out longitude’ and other navigational improvements: many are those with which it was originally equipped. The timepieces constructed by John Harrison for establishing longitude are also housed there, as are many others reflecting the Observatory’s largely 19th century history as Britain’s national facility for testing the efficiency of new developments in the field of timekeeping.

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Visiting the Greenwich Observatory: Time to Learn About Time

You may not have heard of the Greenwich Royal Observatory, but the research done there impacts your life on a daily basis.  It’s the home of the Prime Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).  This topic had never really piqued my interest before, but being at the observatory and learning about the history was fascinating.  And kids will love the planetarium.  

The Observatory is part of Greenwich Maritime which made the very exclusive list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites .  If that is not enough to convince you, the Greenwich Observatory has one of the best views of London.

The Royal Greenwich Observatory needs to be on your list for London.  Let me tell you more about what there is to see there and why you must visit.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure for more information.

The Prime Meridian

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I didn’t know much about what to expect at the Greenwich Royal Observatory except that we would see the Prime Meridian. Right after you get your ticket to the London observatory, you will see a sign marking Flamsteed’s Meridian Line on the wall.  This was the first Meridian line and there was even another one before the Prime Meridian Line we use today was established.  

Like everyone else, we had to get our pictures with one foot on either side of the Greenwich Meridian line, standing in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.   While the Prime Meridian is supposed to be 0 degrees longitude the 0 degree point for your GPS is about 100 meters east because of the Earth’s slightly irregular shape.

Next, we checked out the camera obscura.  It is a darkened room with a pinhole that uses a mirror and lens to project an image.  Originally it was used to study the sun, but now it projects a live image of the Queen’s House .  The Queen’s House was supposedly a gift from King James I to Queen Anne of Denmark to apologize for swearing in front of her after she had accidentally killed one of his favorite dogs during a hunt.  

Then we visited the Flamsteed House.  This is where the Royal Astronomers and their families lived.  Upstairs is the Octagon Room which was designed by Christopher Wren , the architect that designed St. Paul’s and also the Naval Academy in Greenwich.  I was impressed with the trim and the ceiling. You could also see some original clocks and mock ups of telescopes and accessories.

The exhibits downstairs did a great job explaining why time and the Meridian line are tied to the Observatory.  There was a big problem with shipwrecks because it was hard to know where you were in the sea.   You could determine your latitude by using the location of the sun at noon, but longitude is not as simple and even more difficult when at sea.  You could measure how long you were gone and use that to help you determine how far you had traveled.

However, there were two issues with that method – first, factors like wind and current could affect your speed and second, the clocks used during that time were pendulum ones, which could not keep accurate time on a swaying boat.  One reason the Royal Observatory was established in 1675 was to solve this “Longitude Problem.”   After several attempts, John Harrison created a mechanical clock that would work effectively at sea.

Longitude is connected directly with time because the Earth is divided vertically into time zones.  So you can compare the time at your current location to a fixed point to determine your longitude.  

In 1884, the international community agreed that the Greenwich Meridian (Prime Meridian) would be that point and also established Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).  All time zones would be calculated from GMT.   You will notice the Greenwich Observatory clock on the gate showing GMT, known as the Shepherd Gate Clock, but it is actually controlled by a master clock inside the main building. 

In order to help ensure everyone was keeping to the correct time, in 1833 the Greenwich Royal Observatory implemented a ceremony where a red ball on a pole on top of the Flamsteed House drops to signify 1 pm.  This ceremony still takes place today, as you can see in the video.

A little before 1 pm, we went to the courtyard to watch the Greenwich time ball drop.  Just like clockwork, five minutes before the hour it started to rise up, and then two minutes to the hour reached the top.  Then at 1 pm, it dropped.  

Of course, living in NYC, this reminded me of the ball in Times Square on New Year’s Eve .  I wonder if the idea for that ball came from the Greenwich Royal Observatory?

Inside the Meridian Observatory, you get to see some of the telescopes the Royal Astronomers used.  I was pretty impressed with these until I saw the Great Equatorial Telescope.  You climb up a spiral staircase and then you will see it.  It pretty much takes up the whole dome.  

We timed it perfectly so that we could hear about the telescope and get a demonstration.  The Greenwich Observatory telescope is over 100 years old, yet it is still the best lens telescope in England.  They showed some of the images it captured on tv screens while the presenter showed how the telescope could move.  The most impressive part is that the dome rotates so that you could have the opening wherever it was needed.  As Russell said there was something very James Bondish to it.  

Then it was time for our Planetarium Show – Asteroid: Mission Extreme.  It was open seating and we sat in the middle of the second row.  It might have been better if we were further back but those seats fill up fast.  The seats were almost too comfortable.  The movie was fun, and you definitely feel like you were moving.  After the movie, we checked out the exhibits at the Planetarium, which were all very interactive and kid-friendly.

The Royal Greenwich Observatory offers several different ticket options, but to get the best prices you will want to make your purchase online . 

You can also purchase a combined ticket for the MBNA Thames Clipper and the Greenwich Observatory and arrive by boat.  For those over 60, you can get one third off entry to the main attractions and tours on Tuesdays.  If you plan to visit the Observatory often, you may want to consider becoming a member.

You will need to buy your tickets to the Planetarium shows separately.  These shows are free for members but still need to be book.  The planetarium is popular, so get tickets for the show you want to see in advance.  It’s best to book online as soon as you know you are going to Greenwich or worst case, you can try first thing when you get to the British Royal Observatory as sometimes there are cancellations.

Note: Some of the other attractions in Greenwich, like the Queen’s House and the National Maritime Museum are free!

The Greenwich Observatory is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.  The last entry is 4:30 pm.  Please note that the Observatory is closed December 24th-26th.

Greenwich is a borough in southeast London that is accessible by DLR (part of the London Underground i.e. Tube) using the Greenwich Cutty Sark stop.  You can also take the MBNA Thames Clipper .  The National Maritime Museum has limited parking available for £15 the day.    You can easily spend a whole day as there are many things to do in Greenwich .

We got lucky with the perfect weather the day we visited, so I enjoyed the walk from our car to the Observatory.  The last bit was pretty steep, but those views are worth it.  

It was a little foggy when we first arrived, but when that cleared later in the day we could see all the way to St. Paul’s.  The grass in this park is also some of the greenest I have ever seen.  We saw lots of picnickers enjoying it.

Yes, I enjoyed my time in Greenwich and my visit to the Royal Greenwich Observatory.  Additionally, I definitely learned some great trivia facts.  Plus, I got my picture with the Prime Meridian – that’s priceless! Both kids and adults will have a good time, and it’s actually easier than you would expect to get to Greenwich from Central London.

Greenwich has so much to see, so I hope to visit again and see the Cutty Sark , the O2 , Queen’s House, and Maritime Museum.  

Have you been to Greenwich?

I would love to hear about your experience.

Pin for Later

• Buy your Royal Observatory tickets online and consider getting one of the package options to save money.
• There is no specific Greenwich Observatory parking, but you can park in the lot for the Maritime Museum.
• An audio guide comes with your admission ticket.  You can pick it up in the courtyard right outside the ticket lobby.
• Be sure to catch the Greenwich time ball drop at 1 pm GMT.
• Try to catch the talk about the Great Equatorial Telescope, so that you can see the demonstration.
• Get your tickets for the Planetarium in advance and try to sit towards the back of the theater.

Disclosure: No financial compensation was received, but the Greenwich Royal Observatory did provide complimentary tickets. As always, opinions expressed here are my own.

This post also contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you. Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit. The commission does not influence the editorial content of this sit e.

Last Updated on December 7, 2021

About the Author

Anisa  

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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The Prime Meridian

Stand on the historic Prime Meridian of the World at the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Essential Information

Stand on the historic Prime Meridian of the World at Royal Observatory Greenwich, the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

• Grab an iconic selfie and share using #PrimeMeridian
• Discover the remarkable story of the place that gave Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to the world
• Explore the highlights of the  historic Royal Observatory , from the  Great Equatorial Telescope  to the beautiful Octagon Room
• Look out across London from the Meridian Courtyard, and see how many city sights you can spot from Greenwich!

Since the late 19th century, the Prime Meridian at Greenwich has divided the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth - just as the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres.

In 1884 the Prime Meridian was defined using the Transit Circle telescope at the Royal Observatory. The cross-hairs in the eyepiece of the telescope precisely marked Longitude 0° for the world.

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What is the Prime Meridian?

A meridian is a north-south line, selected as the reference line for astronomical observations. By comparing thousands of observations taken from the same meridian, it's possible to build up an accurate map of the sky.

Any north-south line can be referred to as a meridian. The 'Prime' meridian however is the line defined as Longitude 0°: the spot from which all longitudes and time zones east and west can be measured.

Why is the Prime Meridian in Greenwich?

There were two main reasons for the choice. The first was the fact that the USA had already chosen Greenwich as the basis for its own national time zone system.

The second was that in the late 19th century, 72% of the world's commerce depended on sea-charts which used Greenwich as the Prime Meridian.

By naming   Greenwich as Longitude 0º, it would be advantageous to the largest number of people. Therefore the Prime Meridian at Greenwich became the centre of world time.

Learn more at the Royal Observatory

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Royal Observatory - The Home Of Greenwich Mean Time

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The Royal Observatory, Greenwich is the basis of modern timekeeping. It is a historical observatory commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II which gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time. It is located just out of London and should be on anyone's bucket list when visiting the British capital. It is an overlooked attraction, that should be part of what everyone should do in London on their first trip .

While in Europe, visit the Top of Europe and the Sphinx Observatory high in the Alps in Switzerland . It is the highest observatory in Europe and is even reachable by train thanks to bewildering Swiss engineering. See how these observatories compare with being historical in London or picturesquely set in the Alps.

What To Know About The Royal Observatory Greenwich

If one is visiting London then pencil in the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. It has a rich history and has played a large role in astronomy and navigation. It has many attractions as well as historical significance. See the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House, and the clipper ship Cutty Sark

• Location: Greenwich Park In South East London Overlooking The River Thames
• Time: Gave Its Name To Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - Now Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
• Commissioned: In 1675 By King Charles II

Today the observatory and Greenwich site is maintained almost exclusively as a museum. Here one can place one foot in the west and one in the east at the Prime Meridian of the world.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is regarded as the home of British astronomy. It was from here that early scientists were able to precisely map the stars to help navigate the seas.

• National Maritime Museum: Contains The World's Largest Maritime Library and Archive Collection
• The Queen's House: Home To A Renowned Art Collection and Is Inigo Jones’ Architectural Masterpiece Being The First Classical building in the UK (Entry Is Free)
• Clipper ship Cutty Sark : A Historical Ship That Visitors Can Even Climb The Ship's Rigging and Masts
• The Royal Observatory: The Heart Of The Attractions To The Greenwich Complex - One of Britain's Most Historic Observatories Now A Museum

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Royal Observatory Museum

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• Opening Hours: Open Daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
• Great Equatorial Telescope: The UK's Largest Historic Telescope

At the observatory, one will also walk the line of the famous Greenwich Median that's clearly marked on the pavement.

Visit The Cutty Sark Ship

One of the fun attracts is the Cutty Sark. Visitors are able to climb up the famous ship's masts and view the Thames and London with a sailor's eye view.

From the Main Deck, climb the ship’s 'ratlines' (rope ladders) and then make one's way up into the rigging, just as hundreds of sailors did during Cutty Sark’s long and fabled career at sea. One then descends with a  zip-line. The ticket for the rig climb also grants access to all other parts of the ship.

• Fastest: The Cutty Sark Was The Fastest Ship Of Its Kind
• Price For Climbing: Adult from £41 | Child (12-15) from £26

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Royal Observatory Planetarium

One of the great attractions at the Royal Observatory is the world-class Planetarium . While other attractions at the Royal Observatory museum are on the same ticket, tickets for the Planetarium must be booked separately.

Here visitors join the Royal Observatory astronomers and leading scientists on a fascinating journey into space. It is a great experience for the whole family with science sessions for the kids.

It is recommended to book the shows in advance as their shows are very popular and they may be sold out. Some of their shows include The Sky Tonight, Ted's Space Adventure, and Meet the Neighbours.

The Sky Tonight:

• When: Runs Saturday to Monday During School Terms And Daily In School Holidays
• Age: Suitable for ages 7+ (Not Available for Kids Under 5)
• Price: Adult £10.00 / Child £5.00

Ted's Space Adventure:

• When:  Shows run Saturdays and Sundays And Daily during school holidays

Meet the Neighbours:

• When: Shows run Saturday-Monday during term time And Daily during school holidays

The observatory and planetarium are great options for families.

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