Royal Observatory Greenwich
The historic observatory in Greenwich Park, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, with historic telescopes and Harrison's clocks.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Royal Observatory was founded in 1675 by King Charles II to improve navigation at sea by recording the positions of the stars and the Moon. John Flamsteed became the first Astronomer Royal, and the original building, Flamsteed House, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren on a hill in Greenwich Park.
Over the following centuries the observatory grew into a large scientific site. It gave Britain a reference line for longitude, and in 1884 an international conference chose the Greenwich meridian as the Prime Meridian of the world. The site is also known as the home of Greenwich Mean Time and displays the marine timekeepers of John Harrison, which helped solve the problem of finding longitude at sea.
The Great Equatorial Telescope under its onion dome is one of the largest refracting telescopes in Britain. In the twentieth century scientific work moved away from Greenwich because of light pollution, and the buildings became a museum, now part of Royal Museums Greenwich and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The observatory is closing to visitors on 2 November 2026 for the First Light transformation project, which will add a new entrance pavilion, a lift tower and new astronomy galleries.
Highlights
- Prime Meridian line in the Meridian Courtyard
- Harrison's marine timekeepers in the Time and Longitude gallery
- Great Equatorial Telescope under the onion dome
- Christopher Wren's Octagon Room in Flamsteed House
- Camera Obscura and views over London
Permanent exhibitions
- Prime Meridian Line and Meridian Courtyard – The historic line marking zero degrees of longitude, where visitors can stand with a foot in each hemisphere.
- Great Equatorial Telescope – One of the largest refracting telescopes in the world, housed under an onion-shaped dome.
- Octagon Room – The room designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the oldest part of the observatory.
- Founded
- 1675
- Operated by
- Royal Museums Greenwich
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £24 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £18Students with valid ID |
| Children & teens | £12free up to age 3 · Child tickets are for ages 4–15; under-4s are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A carer accompanying a disabled visitor enters free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | £18With valid student ID. |
| Day Pass for the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark (adult) | £38Child £19, student £28.50. |
| Treasures Tour (in addition to entry) | £5Students £3.50, children £2.50. |
| Lunar Tours (in addition to entry) | £5Students £3.50, children £2.50. |
Members of Royal Museums Greenwich enter free. £3 tickets are offered to visitors on Universal Credit. The museum's pages also list discounts for Museums Association members, National Art Pass holders (half price) and English Heritage members. An audio guide on the Smartify app is free with entry.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
This is a historic site with steps, narrow doorways and a cobbled courtyard; for example, Flamsteed House has steps at its entrance and the Octagon Room is up a staircase of 17 steps. Wheelchairs can be pre-booked free of charge (+44 20 8312 6608). Induction loops are fitted at all information desks, and ear defenders and a sensory map are available. A free audio tour and a BSL-interpreted tour are on the Smartify app. Blue Badge holders can park free for up to four hours in the Greenwich Park car park on Blackheath Avenue. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly: not available
The observatory runs space-themed family events, including half-term talks and Halloween tours, and offers a child ticket for ages 4–15. Buggies cannot enter Flamsteed House because of narrow galleries; an outdoor buggy park is provided.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Greenwich station
Nearby stations are Greenwich (rail), Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (DLR), Maze Hill (rail) and Greenwich Pier for river boats. The observatory sits on a hill in Greenwich Park, a walk uphill from the town centre.
By car
Parking available · 500 m to the entrance
The metered Royal Parks car park in Greenwich Park (SE10 8QY) along Blackheath Avenue is about 0.3 miles (500 m) from the observatory and free for Blue Badge holders for up to four hours. The Royal Museums Greenwich car park at the National Maritime Museum (SE10 9NG) is open to the public at weekends only, costs £14 and is a 15–20 minute uphill walk.
- Accessible parking
The entrance is at the bottom of the Great Equatorial Building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a Meridian shop on site. Cafés are at the nearby National Maritime Museum.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 120 guests.
Venue hire for exclusive dinners for up to 60 guests or receptions for up to 120.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Daily Treasures Tours (11:00 and 15:00) and Lunar Tours (13:30) cost extra. Weekend 'Observatory Unlocked' sessions with explainers are included in entry. A free audio guide is available on the Smartify app; visitors should bring their own headphones. Buggies are not allowed in Flamsteed House, but there is an outdoor buggy park. |
