Greenwich

Eltham Palace and Gardens

Located to the south of the town, this beautiful 1930s Art Deco style mansion was built with luxury and decadence in mind. Constructed by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, alongside the remains of Eltham Palace, once a medieval royal residence and ancestral home of Henry VIII. The highlight of the palace is its magnificent medieval Great Hall. The property is set in beautiful Grade II listed moated gardens. Run by English Heritage*

Opening times: Apr-Nov, Sun-Wed 10am to 5pm; Nov-Mar, 11am to 4pm - Admission Charge*
Location: Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London - SE9 5QE - Tel: 020 8294 2548 - Website

Cutty Sark

Built at Dumbarton in Scotland in 1869, she was the fastest tea clipper of her time. The hull is 212 ft (65 m) long and its main mast is 145 ft (45 m) high. The 11 miles (17.5 km) of rigging and spars once carried nearly an acre (4000 sq m) of sail. The name Cutty Sark is taken from the poem "Tam o' Shanter" by Robert Burns. The term means a short chemise or white under shirt, indicative of the ship in full sail.

The ship was fully restored in after a devastating fire in 2007 and has been raised on a glass platform so that the visitors can now walk underneath it.

The integral museum provides detailed information on the history of this famous tall ship, including other period naval memorabilia and the world's largest collection of painted figureheads.

The Cutty Sark stands in permanent dry dock near to Greenwich Pier, where you can board river cruises up the Thames to the Tower of London and on to Westminster.

Opening times: daily from 10am (pre-booked tickets recommended) - Admission Charge
Location: King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HT - Tel: 020 8312 6608 - Website

Fan Museum

Unusual little museum dedicated to the ancient art of fan making. Thousands of fans and fan leaves are on display, dating back to the 11th century. Regular changing exhibitions.

Opening times: all year, Tue-Sat, 11am to 5pm, Sun from 12 (closed Xmas) - Admission Charge
Location: 12 Grooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ER - Tel: 020 8305 144 - Website

Greenwich Park

A Royal Park comprising 183 acres of flower gardens, tree lined avenues and rolling lawns that gently slope down to the River Thames. The area was originally laid out for Charles II of England by Le Notre (landscape gardener to Louis XIV of France). A viewing point at the top of the hill provides a spectacular panorama across the Docklands to the City of London. The Royal Greenwich Observatory is located within the park.

Opening times: daily from 6 am - Free Access
Location: Greenwich, London, Tel: 0300 061 2380 - Website

National Maritime Museum

This magnificent Palladian style villa is the repository of a huge collection of royal barges, sailing boats, model ships, naval weapons and maritime relics of all kinds, including Nelson's bloodstained uniform from the Battle of Trafalgar.

The museum includes the Queen's House, a grand Palladian-style villa designed by Inigo Jones for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I. Famed for its lnigo Jones designed Tulip Staircase.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 5pm (closed Xmas) - Free Entry
Location: Romney Rd, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF - Tel: 020 8312 6565 - Website

Royal Naval College

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this magnificent building was initially built as a hospital but converted to a naval college in 1873. It's main attraction is the famous Painted Hall with its spectacular painted walls and ceiling.

Opening times: daily 10am to 5pm (closed Xmas) - Free Entry
Location: Greenwich, London, SE10 9LW - Tel: 020 8269 4747 - Website

Royal Observatory

Founded by Charles II in 1675 for the purpose of improving navigation and astronomy. A brass rail marks the line through which the Greenwich Meridian runs. The Meridian Building contains array of historic telescopes, including the largest refracting telescope in United Kingdom. The red ball on the the roof of the building is lowered from top of its mast each day at 1pm Greenwich Mean Time; once used as time check for vessels on the River Thames.

The Planetarium provides a 360 deg astronomical experience, where a narrator tells the story of the heavens and explains how to identify significant stars and formations.

The nearby house of Astronomer Royal John Flamsteed shows his living quarters furnished with 17th century belongings, and galleries where he used to work. A working camera obscurer, in the grounds, provides panoramic views across the river valley.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 5pm (closed Xmas) - Free Entry (Charge for Planetarium)
Location: Greenwich Park, Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ - Tel: 020 8312 6565 - Website

Thames Barrier Visitor Information Centre

One of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. The on-site exhibition centre explains the historical role of the river and provides an explanation for the construction of the flood barrier, using working models and audiovisual presentations. River cruises also operate tours around the barrier's iconic steel gates.

Opening times: Apr-Sep, 10.30am to 4.30pm; Oct-Mar, 11am to 3.30pm (closed Xmas) - Admission Charge
Location: 1 Unity Way, Woolwich, London SE18 5NJ - Tel: 020 8305 4188 - Website

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