Royal Observatory Greenwich
Royal Observatory Greenwich
4
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksObservatories & Planetariums
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:45 PM
About
The prime meridian, zero degrees longitude, runs through the courtyard of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, which was founded in 1675 by King Charles II.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from
C$37.23
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Royal Observatory Greenwich
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Greenwich
Greenwich Mean Time starts here, so to speak, as the very concept of global time was established at Royal Observatory, just one of several buildings of architectural interest in Greenwich. Indeed, the whole of Greenwich's historic town center, its Royal Park and a number of related buildings (and one world famous ship, the Cutty Sark) make up the UNESCO World Heritage site known as Maritime Greenwich. Today a laser beam is shot out across the night sky from the Observatory to mark the location of the Prime Meridian. Other bold (some say brash) 21st century additions to the area include landmarks such as The O2 entertainment complex (previously known as the Millennium Dome) and the Air Line cable cars, which offer scenic transport across the Thames between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,831 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,396 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Łukasz KWetzlar, Germany62 contributionsOnline guidance onlyAlready been multiple times in London, never been in Greenwich though. Ticket was quite expensive -18£. Taking into consideration that it was not guided with human, but only with online video - make sure you have sufficient internet data, and also to take your own headphones. Other than that - it is definitely place worth visiting!Hi stripocean I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. We have talks about the site everyday that can be joined and are looking at other tour options for the future. The wonderful thing about our Smartify tour is that the app can be listened to anywhere and are much more sanitary than physical audio guides. They are also available for each of the sites within Royal Museums Greenwich and so much more.Written January 26, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten September 19, 2023
- ndw78Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom2,882 contributionsA must see for its history & Amazing views of the city as wellThis is the place where all time starts. Stand on the GMT line and see what the time difference is for all around the world. Go through the museum and find out it’s past and how it was all discovered and used. First time I’ve been to this area and much history to see as well as amazing views of the city. Free for key workers via blue light tooHi ndw78 Thank you for such a positive review, we are very glad you enjoyed your visit. The Royal Observatory is part of Royal Museums Greenwich, Also within the area is the National Maritime Museum, Queens House and Cutty Sark ship. There are plenty of reasons to come on back when you get the chance.Written January 26, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten October 3, 2023
- Richard SAngmering, United Kingdom778 contributionsWalking in historyLiterary walking where the world sets its time from. The obsevratory is steeped in amazing history and the views across london arespectacular. This was an amazing place to visit to learn how the world sets its time from the UK.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten April 6, 2024
- Veronika C1 contributionReally amazing time, would definitely recommend!We visited the planetarium and saw 6 shows over 2 days during the 100 year anniversary celebration. We saw the shows: Uranus a planetary catastrophe, Ted's Space Nightmare, Cosmic Meditation, We're All in the Dark, The Sky Tonight Down Under and The Gravitational Universe. We thought these were absolutely brilliantly presented and it was so much fun to listen to for anyone of any ability. All the staff were particularly lovely, and they even managed to squeeze us into a show without a booking due to some seats being free last minute! We have already seen all the regular shows at the planetarium so seeing these unique one-off shows was amazing too and so interesting. Hopefully the planetarium present more of these one-off shows as the themes/topics were very engaging and fascinating and I would love to see a broader range of topics too! The facilities were all really clean and tidy, and the planetarium seats very comfortable. I will absolutely be returning here and would recommend the planetarium to everyone! (PS to the planetarium please do more one-off shows like about Jupiter or Saturn or black holes! )Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten May 6, 2024
- Jim BLincoln, Nebraska730 contributionsSkip Paying £20 Just to Stand on the Prime MeridianWhile I'm sure that this is a great place to visit, we were a bit overwhelmed by the crowds who are mainly there to get a selfie 🤳 along the Prime Meridian. While the one inside the gates may be nicely ordinated, you can still find the division between East and West longitude in other places. However, the views from this vista are well-worth the trekvto the top.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 5, 2024
- obizerokenobiLos Angeles, California193 contributionsWhere time begins.The British Royal Observatory is an observatory and the past home of several Astronomers Royal, including Ed Halley, namesake of the famous comet. Located at the top of a hill in London’s Greenwich neighborhood, it is also where the Prime Meridian is, which divides east and west and is where time begins – as such, it is thought of as the center of the world. It also is a great museum of astronomy and chronology. In addition, it provides a great view of London, as it is located atop a hill. The biggest downside is that one of the telescopes that visitors can look through contains an image of the planet Uranus at the end, instead of Pluto – the dog! This is a disappointing downgrade from when we visited many years ago, probably due to the delisting of Pluto – the planet. The observatory is an easy walk from the Greenwich Pier and getting there includes a stroll through a lovely park. Very much worth visiting.Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and let us know how your experience at the Observatory was. We're very glad to hear you enjoyed your visit thoroughly, and hope to welcome you back again in the future. For those looking to visit the Observatory, there are two pathways uphill from a Greenwich town approach, the main hill is a steep incline, and we suggest those facing it pace themselves and make sure they have rest stops to both admire the view and catch their breath. There is a level approach for those coming to the Observatory from Blackheath, more information on accessing the site is available on our website. We have daily family engagement sessions for visitors to take part in and enjoy, and for those who are interested in looking through telescopes, our Astronomy team deliver Evenings with the Moon (and or) Stars where you can look through the Great Equatorial Telescope. For more information, dates and tickets, please visit our website.Written July 19, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 14, 2024
- permia64,695 contributionsHome of so many observations and discoveriesIt was a marvellous visit to where so many astronomical observations and discoveries were made. Discoveries and inventions that changed the world. Flamsteed House was the residence of the Astronomers Royal and it was fascinating to see homely details such as exhortations on what to take before dinner, including 5 grains of rhubarb. Harrison’s clocks were great to view. His chronometers enabled more accurate sea voyages, revolutionising territorial explorations and trade. Telescopes were the essential of the scientists work and many fine examples are here. Including particularly the Great Equatorial.Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and feedback. We're thrilled to hear you had a marvellous visit to the Royal Observatory, and it's great to see such fantastic photographs taken during your visit! We have lots of interesting topics for anyone who may be interested in the history of observation, time and longitude. Flamsteed House and its apartments in particular is a soft spot for many who work at the Observatory, as it brings the history back to the simplistic life of ordinary people whilst discovering extraordinary things! For anyone looking to learn more alongside a self-guided visit, we offer free daily talks and engagement sessions (subject to weather and staffing) in the Observatory. For more information, please speak to members of staff on the day of your visit and they will provide you with as much information as they can.Written July 22, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten July 17, 2024
- Robert S1 contributionAbsolutely magical Evening with the Moon. Amazing staff. Will definitely visit again!Absolutely magical "Evening with the Moon". Amazing, friendly staff were really helpful (let us in early to use facilities). The talk in the Planetarium was fantastic, really enthusiastic speaker who bought the event to life. Learned so much from her! Then we were able to look through various telescopes with some experts who were so accommodating and answered all our daft questions. Will definitely visit again!Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and feedback. We're very pleased to hear you had an amazing time at our Evening with the Moon event, and that you all learned a lot and had fun looking through the telescopes! Our Astronomers and Astronomy team work tirelessly to bring everything to life and share their enthusiasm with others so it's great to hear it was well received. Here at the Royal Observatory and Planetarium no question is a daft question! Our staff will do their best to answer any questions people may have, and if they can't, they surely know who will know the answer and direct you to them. We hold Evenings with the Moon and Evenings with the Stars throughout the course of the year as well as lots of other interesting events, for upcoming events like these and ticket prices please visit our website, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more telescope pursuits in the future.Written August 14, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten August 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
3,696 reviews
Excellent
1,633
Very good
1,331
Average
507
Poor
149
Terrible
76
Peter H
Ipswich, UK139 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
What a fascinating place. The whole history of time and it's effects on a developing, largely undiscovered planet and the men who sailed it's seas brilliantly displayed and explained in this wonderful building with it's breathtaking views across modern London.
The development of the timepieces (nearly all English as far as I can make out) that played such a vital part in exploration and world trade sounds a fairly boring topic to many, but here they make the subject come alive ...... and it's the only place you can stand with a foot in different hemispheres at the original ground zero.
Not to be missed .... even if the climb nearly killed me.
The development of the timepieces (nearly all English as far as I can make out) that played such a vital part in exploration and world trade sounds a fairly boring topic to many, but here they make the subject come alive ...... and it's the only place you can stand with a foot in different hemispheres at the original ground zero.
Not to be missed .... even if the climb nearly killed me.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That Dubai Blogger
Dubai, United Arab Emirates284 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Started of our day at the maritime museum which offered free entrance the walked along the park all the way to the top and we were just speechless. Most people were busy engaged in the prime meridian line but the view really got us. You can get the best view of central london and Canary Wharf from there and make sure u check the weather and time to go. If it’s too windy and foggy you won’t be able to enjoy the view and also it’s best to go during the day for good pictures because at night, even though the skyline will be bright and lit, you still won’t be able to get the best pictures.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatherineHabbie
London, UK150 contributions
Aug 2020
It would be a shame to miss this vital piece of history on your trip to London. The observatory offers a panoramic view of the financial capital of the country, juxtaposing the old and new. Don't miss the ferry ride on your return back or the exciting alternative of walking under the river Thames through the tunnel.
A meandering path through the Greenwich Park leads one uphill to the observatory. The structure is remarkably well-maintained for its age. Winding spiral staircases lead one through the gallery that houses the ancient clocks that were precursors to the modern GPS navigation, to the impressive dome gallery that was literally a gateway to the stars. Massive telescopes that are almost abandoned, line the room and one can imagine the shutters open on clear nights for a celestial feast.
As one leaves the building, one could almost miss the camera Obscura & the Prime Meridian, if one weren't very observant. The line has the prominent cities of the world marked with their old names and their longitudinal distance from the line. With social distancing in place, it is one family at a time and the mask is not compulsory outside the building. Don't miss the view of the observatory from the shady tree nearby. In a matter of seconds, the magic moment where East meets West is over.
The gift shop which maintains a few remarkable items of interest & housed the audio guides which weren't offered due to social distancing.
A meandering path through the Greenwich Park leads one uphill to the observatory. The structure is remarkably well-maintained for its age. Winding spiral staircases lead one through the gallery that houses the ancient clocks that were precursors to the modern GPS navigation, to the impressive dome gallery that was literally a gateway to the stars. Massive telescopes that are almost abandoned, line the room and one can imagine the shutters open on clear nights for a celestial feast.
As one leaves the building, one could almost miss the camera Obscura & the Prime Meridian, if one weren't very observant. The line has the prominent cities of the world marked with their old names and their longitudinal distance from the line. With social distancing in place, it is one family at a time and the mask is not compulsory outside the building. Don't miss the view of the observatory from the shady tree nearby. In a matter of seconds, the magic moment where East meets West is over.
The gift shop which maintains a few remarkable items of interest & housed the audio guides which weren't offered due to social distancing.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your lovely review of your experience. We are glad to hear you had an enjoyable experience and we hope it won't be long before we welcome you back to Royal Museums Greenwich.
Written October 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Freezer49
Romford, UK153 contributions
Jan 2020
Visit was planned well in advance. Travel was by public transport.
The walk through part of Greenwich past the Maritime Museum and up the hill to the Observatory, on a clear and dry day, gave wonderful views across the Thames and across London.
Activities at the Observatory were arranged and linked to a project the children were doing at school. The workshop, time to explore the galleries and a presentation in the planetarium were all excellent for these Year 5 children, the adults enjoyed them too. Would recommend for children and adults alike.
The walk through part of Greenwich past the Maritime Museum and up the hill to the Observatory, on a clear and dry day, gave wonderful views across the Thames and across London.
Activities at the Observatory were arranged and linked to a project the children were doing at school. The workshop, time to explore the galleries and a presentation in the planetarium were all excellent for these Year 5 children, the adults enjoyed them too. Would recommend for children and adults alike.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joyce
509 contributions
Jun 2021
As of writing, £16 per adult to enter to Royal Observatory is a little steep for some, especially if you're going in with an adult family. While I don't wish to deter anyone from going in and having a great time within the observatory, there's actually a way to take a photo with half of you in the East and West without having to fork out any money. Just outside the wall clock, also known as the 'Shepherd Gate Clock', you'll notice a small black gate to the right of the clock. There should be no lock on it; be brave and pull it open and hey presto! you'll find a small strip of metal running from the wall along to the floor, with a crumbling stone engraving indicating that you staring at the East and West longitude. A lot of people don't dare to touch the gate because there's no signage and no one wants to get into trouble, but you're free to go through! The path will also take you to the Royal Observatory Garden, another hidden gem that can be found through a little daring and exploring.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lenny
London, UK44 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
The whole area of Greenwich is fascinating and diverse. We have wanted to visit he Royal Observatory at Greenwich for many years.. Covid procedures possibly impacted significantly.
In a nutshell the relatively brief visit cost £75 (£90 including beverages) and thankfully included the Curry Sark exhibit.
The Royal Observatory made a fascinating history turgid and uninspiring. Perhaps the Covid limitations impacted significantly but suffice to say it was as appetising as a stale ham sandwich
The expense was somewhat redeemed by the Cutty Sark visit, despite also failing to bring the voyages alive due to poor AV equipment and investment. The Captain’s presentation was a fun experience for all
In a nutshell the relatively brief visit cost £75 (£90 including beverages) and thankfully included the Curry Sark exhibit.
The Royal Observatory made a fascinating history turgid and uninspiring. Perhaps the Covid limitations impacted significantly but suffice to say it was as appetising as a stale ham sandwich
The expense was somewhat redeemed by the Cutty Sark visit, despite also failing to bring the voyages alive due to poor AV equipment and investment. The Captain’s presentation was a fun experience for all
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear your visit did not match your expectations and will pass your feedback onto the relevant teams. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed meeting Captain Woodget at Cutty Sark. We hope to see you at Royal Museums Greenwich again soon.
Written December 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ian l
Rotherham, UK132 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Attended a valentines evening at the observatory. The tour included a show at the planetarium a visit to to the telescope. They then had talks on various astronomers and navigation. I have an interest in space and travel so found it very interesting. The tour is after public opening so there are not loads of people and you can enjoy the exhibits in a more leisurely fashion. Would recommend a tour.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo K
Worcester, UK8,820 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Do walk up to see the observatory it's a sight to behold but if you don't want to pay £15 to go in and tick the bucket list box of standing on the 0° meridien line then take the disabled recommended route up the hill and the line is shown in brick paving... see my pics below....
The view from the top is amazing then walk the steep way back down. The time ball drops at 1pm everyday. We didn't know this till after our visit. You can also see this from outside the gates.
The view from the top is amazing then walk the steep way back down. The time ball drops at 1pm everyday. We didn't know this till after our visit. You can also see this from outside the gates.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spachick64
Binfield, UK812 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
A must do UK historical attraction ! Probably best done on a dry day unlike ours where it had rained most of the day . Situated at the top of a fairly steep path . Just take your time and it can be done in around 5 minutes . At the bottom the hill is Greenwich Park . At the top there are great views over London . The visitors experience is a little reduced due to COVID restrictions as the visit is arranged as a one way route which is contrary to the way you would normally do it
Very interesting learning about aviation by the stars and standardisation of time across the country . Of course we’d gone to stand on the Meridian Line with one foot in the east and the other the west.
Currently no cafe facilities available and it was too wet to sit outside but well worth a visit . All ages would enjoy different parts . Little bits of interactive features with the talking clock
Very interesting learning about aviation by the stars and standardisation of time across the country . Of course we’d gone to stand on the Meridian Line with one foot in the east and the other the west.
Currently no cafe facilities available and it was too wet to sit outside but well worth a visit . All ages would enjoy different parts . Little bits of interactive features with the talking clock
Written November 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear you had a great visit and hope you will be able to visit Royal Museums Greenwich again soon.
Written December 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jens A
Copenhagen, Denmark179 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Interesting exhibition about navigation and the importance of watches. If you're into that sort of thing - not everyone in our company was. Afterwards you can go for a walk in the large park and take the train back to London from Blackheath. We took the City Experiences boat from Tower Hill to Greenwich, which we can recommend in nice weather.
Written May 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comment "432jensa"
Thank you for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed seeing our collection.
The views available from the Observatory and Park are truly incredible and unique.
Written June 27, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
How long would you say you could do this in? We’re thinking of visiting the painted hall first and then coming here. Any advice? Any places to park a car? Thanks in advance.
Written October 29, 2020
Hello,
I think hour to hour and a half is more than enough for a quality visit at the observatory. I would recommend to first see the observatory (the Greenwich meridian), and then carry onto something else. As for the parking, not too sure as I don’t drive and we used the public transport. Best wishes and lots of fun
Written October 30, 2020
Hi , is the laser along the meridian operating?
If so at what times?
Thank you
Anne
Written November 6, 2019
It's best to check with Observatory, as you will appreciate this is only seen in twilight dark, not during a daylight visit
Written November 7, 2019
Lorena Moreno
Vila Velha, ES
2 contributions
Is it necessary to enter/pay in the Observatory to see the "Greenwich line" ? (é preciso entrar/pagara o observatório para ver a linha de Greenwich?
Written September 25, 2019
the Greenwich line is free to see
Written September 28, 2019
Ciao, è possibile visionare meridiano e l'orologio senza prendere i ticket del Royal Observatory? Oppure sono attrazioni a pagamento? Grazie!
Written June 4, 2019
Salve, da fuori è possibile vederli entrambi ovviamente non vedi la linea a terra con tutti i riferimenti e comunque tutto l'osservatorio merita la visita ed il prezzo del biglietto .
Io ho fatto un biglietto cumulativo che prevedeva visita al Cutty Sark e l'Osservatorio , fatto tutto on line ricevuti a casa i biglietti risparmiato il 10% .
saluti
Written June 4, 2019
Esp Weekends before or after lunch. Opening hours 10.00-17.00. I recommend to be there at 10 am or during lunch or at 4pm. Best time might be 10am
Written May 4, 2019
Hi! I wonder if we can se the Royal observatory Greenwich Clock without buying any tickets. Is the clock on the outside? I have the same question about the meridian. Is the meridian marked also outside the ticketed area? We can only stop there for a short moment, so it's not worth for us to buy tickets.
Thanks in advance!
Written May 1, 2019
Can any one tell me how long the audio tours are at the Royal Observatory?
Written March 5, 2019
I would say allow an hour or two at least; maybe more if you wanted to spend some time at the planetarium part; we got there rather late in the day and had to rush through , but the good part of that is it was not crowded that time of day..... it is quite a hike to the top of the hill where the observatory is located ... in a pretty park; lovely views of London from up there... but it did take a bit of time getting up there and we were trying to rush to get there in time so I was quite out of breath!!!
Written March 5, 2019
…
Showing results 1-10 of 46
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing