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Greenwich has its own ‘village vibe’ and is one of our favourite parts of London.
There’s enough of everything on offer in Greenwich to satisfy most people, from markets to museums and everything in between.
You won’t be shy of things to do in Greenwich to keep you occupied for a few hours.
One of the best ways to explore Greenwich is with The London Pass.
A few places in Greenwich have paid access, but they are probably not worth the fees alone, as we’ll explain more about in each part of this post.
We had a 2-day London Pass, and we’ve even put a 2-day London Pass itinerary together if that’s something you’re considering.
This list of things to do in Greenwich is in a particular order, intending to take you on the best route through the town, from an unorthodox entry to an enjoyable exit.
So, read on to discover the best things to do in Greenwich!
Things to Do in Greenwich
Greenwich is a historic district located in southeast London.
It’s known for its maritime history and is home to some of London’s most famous attractions, such as the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the Cutty Sark ship.
The district is also renowned for its role in timekeeping.
It is the location of the Prime Meridian, which divides the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres and from which we all set our watches according to the Greenwich Mean Time.
There’s also Greenwich Park, a lush green space that offers stunning city views and is home to the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House.
So, without further ado, here are Greenwich’s best things to do.
1 | Walk Through Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Did you know an underground walkway connects the north and south banks of the River Thames at Greenwich?
It’s called the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, and it’s been around since 1902.
The tunnel was built to make it easy and safe for workers to cross the river.
It is about 370 meters long and can be accessed by going down some stairs or taking a lift.
The walkway is covered in tiles and has a gentle slope, so it’s easy for anyone to use. Best of all, it’s open 24/7 and completely free!
We love walking through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
We’re still trying to figure out why, other than it’s weird to think you are walking under the River Thames. Ha.
There’s also a lovely cafe outside DLR station where you can get breakfast before hitting the tunnel and Greenwich.
To get there, take the DLR to Island Gardens and head to the north entrance of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
You might even find the odd busker, which seems like a random place to busk!
📍 Thames Path (NE Extension), London, E14 3UX
💷 Free
🕙 Open 24-hours
📞 0208 854 8888
2 | Get On Board the Cutty Sark
There’s also no doubt you haven’t heard of the Cutty Sark, and if you’re in Greenwich, it’s worth jumping on board the ship.
If you haven’t heard about it, the Cutty Sark is a ‘clipper ship’ with a fascinating history dating back to 1869.
It was once one of the fastest ships on the seas, used to transport tea to the UK.
Nowadays, it’s a real hotspot for tourists who want to experience what life was like during the 19th-century maritime trade.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art glass enclosure, you can get up close and personal with the ship.
The Cutty Sark Museum also has several interactive exhibits and displays that bring the ship’s past to life.
Whether you’re a history lover, a fan of all things maritime, or just looking for a fun day out, the Cutty Sark is worth a visit.
We enjoyed our time on board, but it’s relatively expensive.
You might want to look at the Royal Museums Greenwich membership, which offers good value when visiting the paid sites in Greenwich, or you could try The London Pass, as we did.
📍 King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT
💷 adult £18 / child £9
🕙 every day, 10 pm – 5 pm
📞 0208 858 4422
3 | Visit The Painted Hall
The Painted Hall in Greenwich is a stunning masterpiece of art and architecture.
It is located in the Old Royal Naval College and is considered one of Europe’s most impressive Baroque interiors.
Sir James Thornhill painted the hall in the early 18th century.
It’s an ode to British naval power and Queen Anne’s reign.
He painted a staggering 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings!
The ceiling depicts a triumphant allegory of England’s maritime power, with the King and Queen in the centre of the composition.
The walls are painted with scenes from British history, mythology, and allegorical figures.
The hall is open to the public, and you can appreciate the intricate details of this grand masterpiece.
It is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in art, history, or architecture.
Much like the Cutty Sark, the entry fee is high for what it is, and membership might be a more cost-effective way to visit.
There’s something else that’s pretty cool in The Painted Hall.
It’s an invite to Admiral Nelson’s funeral from 1806.
You know, the guy on top of the statue at Trafalgar Square, who defeated the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Interestingly, Nelson had his signature bicorne hat made at Lock & Co., just a few hundred metres away from Nelson’s Column, in St. James’s, which happens to be London’s oldest shop and the world’s oldest hatters.
The original ledger of his design is still in the shop.
📍 Old Royal Naval College, College Way, London, SE10 9NN
💷 adult £15 (first Sunday £5) / child are free
🌍 ornc.org
🕙 every day, 10 am – 4.30 pm
📞 0208 269 4799
4 | Climb The Tulip Stairs
Have you heard about the Tulip Stairs in Greenwich?
Maybe not, but you may have seen the pictures.
You’ll find them in the Queen’s House.
They were completed around 1635 and have a fancy wrought-iron balustrade adorned with flowers.
They were also the first centrally unsupported stairs in England, meaning there is no central column to hold them up, which is pretty cool and lends itself pretty well to an iconic photograph.
📍 The Queen’s House, Romney Rd, London, SE10 9NF
💷 Free
🕙 every day, 10 am – 5 pm
📞 0208 858 4422
5 | Visit the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is a fascinating place for anyone interested in the history of the sea.
Located on the edge of Greenwich Park, it’s the largest museum of its kind in the world.
It has a diverse collection of artefacts and exhibits that showcase the importance of the sea throughout history.
The museum is in a beautiful building built as a royal hospital in the 17th century.
You can explore the galleries and exhibitions covering everything from navigation to naval warfare.
Given boats can be pretty dull, the museum is surprisingly good. Ha!
Plus, it’s free, so it’s win, win!
💷 Free
🕙 every day, 10 am – 5 pm
📞 0208 858 4422
6 | Cross The Meridian Line
The Meridian Line is one of Greenwich’s most famous landmarks.
If you didn’t know what it is, it marks the world’s prime meridian, dividing the eastern and western hemispheres, and you can find it at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
It’s marked by a shiny metal strip running north to south.
The line was established in 1851 and has served as a standard reference for longitude.
Interestingly, the Meridian line in Greenwich is not the only prime meridian in the world, but it is the most widely recognised and used.
It has become a popular tourist attraction where you can stand in both hemispheres simultaneously by straddling the line.
You’ll also find a ton of other people doing the same! Ha!
Top tip: If you want to avoid paying to enter the observatory, you’ll find a gate that takes you on a path around the front of the observatory, where you’ll find another metal strip signifying the meridian line, just the other side of the gate. It also goes up the wall.
📍 Royal Observatory, Blackheath Ave, London, SE10 8XJ
💷 adult £18 / child £9
🕙 every day, 10 am – 5 pm
📞 0208 312 6608
7 | Touch the Oldest Thing on the Planet
The Peter Harrison Planetarium is next to the Royal Observatory, home to the planetarium show.
It’s a place where you can see educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky.
But outside of the planetarium itself is a piece of metal that formed around the same time as the Sun and Earth, roughly 4.5 million years ago!
And you can touch it! After a tour of the Solar System as the centre of an asteroid, it smashed into southern Africa as the Gibeon Meteorite.
It’s just a piece of metal – iron and nickel, to be precise, but an ancient piece of metal nonetheless. And where else would be willing to let you touch something so old?!
📍 Peter Harrison Planetarium, Blackheath Ave, London, SE10 8XJ
💷 Free (Planetarium shows are not free)
🕙 every day, 10 am – 5 pm
📞 0208 312 6608
8 | Eat Pie & Mash
London is renowned for being expensive, but believe it or not, you can get your fill of food for just a few quid in Greenwich.
If you’re a fan of a good old pie, this place is for you.
Head to Goddards at Greenwich for some traditional pie and mash. This family-run business has been hand-making pies since 1980.
From traditional fillings like eel to modern alternatives to suit a vegan diet, you’ll find something to suit in this old-school restaurant.
And if you do decide to eat here and wonder what liquor is, this is it – liquor doesn’t contain any alcohol.
Disappointing, we know, but it’s just parsley gravy made from the stock after cooking the eels.
📍 22 King William Walk, London, SE10 9HU
💷 Various
🕙 every day, 10 am – 7.30, Fri & Sat until 8 pm.
📞 0208 305 9612
9 | Explore Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is an iconic destination in the heart of Greenwich.
This historic market has been around for over 300 years and is known for its vibrant atmosphere, diverse offerings, and unique shopping experience.
We love Greenwich Market.
It’s not very big, but it’s one of the best markets in London and has a unique character.
The market features over 120 stalls selling everything from vintage clothing and handmade jewellery to artisanal food, fantastic art, and custom homewares.
While exploring the market, you can also enjoy live music, street performances, and cultural events.
The market is also a great place to find unique souvenirs, gifts, and treasures.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Greenwich Market is a must-visit destination that offers a glimpse into London’s rich cultural heritage and creative spirit.
📍 Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9HZ
💷 Free to enter
🕙 every day, 10 am – 5.30 pm
📞 0208 269 5096
10 | Hit the Food Markets
If pie and mash didn’t tickle your tastebuds, you’re spoiled for choice in Greenwich for food because there are two excellent food markets.
One is bolted onto the edge of Greenwich market, and the other is adjacent to the south entrance of the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
You’ll find all sorts to choose from; whether that’s Greek food, cheesy chips or a sweet treat, there is something to satisfy every tastebud.
So, once you’ve explored this wonderful place, you can get your fill of delicious scran and recharge your batteries with some tasty food before heading off on our final thing to do in Greenwich.
📍 Outside Greenwich Market & outside Cutty Sark
11 | Jump on the River Boat
When it’s time to escape from Greenwich, there’s no better way than via the river to get to your next destination.
The riverboat has several options—you can take the Uber By Thames Clipper, the more enjoyable Thames River Sightseeing boat, or the City Experiences boat, although we haven’t tried the latter.
The Thames River Sightseeing is more fun than the Uber By Thames Clipper because you get a running commentary of what you are seeing, whereas the Uber Boat is quicker and more like a taxi service to get you to your next destination in the fastest time possible.
However, the Uber Boat is included in The London Pass.
Either way, the riverboat is a great way to see London differently.
You’ll even find cafes on board the boats if you want refreshments.
📍 King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT
💷 Various
🌍 cityexperiences.com / thamesclippers.com / thamesriversightseeing.com
Things to Do in Greenwich Map
FAQs
What’s the best thing to do in Greenwich?
There’s too much in Greenwich to name one, but here are a few suggestions that will occupy you for a few hours:
- The Cutty Sark
- The Greenwich Foot Tunnel
- The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College
- The Tulip Stairs at Queens House
- The National Maritime Museum
- The Prime Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory
- Greenwich Market
- The food market
- Pie & mash at Goddards of Greenwich
- The Gibeon Meteorite
- Riverboat Tours
Is Greenwich worth visiting?
Yes! Greenwich is one of the best districts in London. There are plenty of things to do in Greenwich to occupy you, from the famous Cutty Sark to the Prime Meridian Line. Greenwich also has its own village vibe, with plenty of places to eat and drink and no shortage of green space to relax in and enjoy.
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