If you are visiting London with children, and you stay there enough time (at least 3 days) to carve out a whole day, I recommend you visit Greenwich. It takes about an hour by tube from central London, but the neighborhood has so much to offer, first of all for its Greenwich Mean Time.
To help you get the most out of your day trip, this guide covers all the best things to do in Greenwich with kids, including Greenwich attractions, activities, places to visit and everything you need to know about bus prices. tickets, where to save money by booking online and opening hours.
I will also explain how to get there from central London.
So let’s venture right away to find out what to do in Greenwich with kids.
PS: if you are new here, I have lived in London for 7 years with two little kids and I am happy to share my local tips as ex Londoner and local mama.
Cosa troverai in questo articolo:
How to get to Greenwich from the centre of London
What to see in Greenwich with kids
Royal Greenwich Observatory
Stand on Meridian Line
Cutty Sark
National Maritime Museum
The Queen’s House
Greenwich market
Greenwich Park
Old Royal Naval College & The Painted Hall
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
One-day itinerary in Greenwich with kids
Among the things to do in London you cannot miss a trip to Greenwich. Did you know that, in 1997, the Maritime Greenwich area, located in the heart of Greenwich, was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
This quiet neighborhood, famous for its maritime history, meridian and astronomical observatory, has a lot to offer, especially for family travellers.
In Greenwich, children can spend an afternoon of adventure. Among other things, in fact, they will be able to walk between the two hemispheres, explore the Cutty Sark like authentic sailors and run in the suggestive Greenwich Park, one of the largest royal parks in London.
Here, you will also find museums, historic buildings, shops, restaurants, cozy cafés and a lively market.
So let’s see, in detail, what to see in Greenwich with children and how to best organize the day.
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How to get to Greenwich from London
Getting to Greenwich from central London is simple. The fastest way is the subway and the journey takes about 20 minutes. To do this, you will need to take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) line.
The two terminus in central London are Bank Station (Central/North) and Tower Hill (Central/District). To make sure you don’t get it wrong, make sure you board a train bound for Lewisham. Then get off at the Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich and you are right in the heart of Greenwich.
Alternatively, there are several buses from central London to Greenwich. Finally, keep in mind that the train is also a valid option, albeit more expensive. You can take it from Charing Cross, Waterloo East or London Bridge stations and get off at Greenwich.
Getting to Greenwich with children: three fun alternatives
If you want to go to Greenwich with the children, then there are three alternatives that will surely appeal to the little ones at home.
1. Reach Greenwich by boat or with a cruise on the Thames
A valid option is river transport. You can choose between regular boats, also used by commuters, speedboat tours and cruises on the Thames, with commentary on the main monuments. You will thus have the opportunity to admire the London skyline from a new perspective.
Consider the service offered by Thames Clippers. Vessels depart from the Embankment and London Eye and arrive in Greenwich, stopping at Tate Modern, London Bridge, Tower of London, Hilton London Docklands Riverside and The O2.
If you want to get to Greenwich by river, I also recommend consulting the Transport for London website.
Or you can book a Cruise from Westminster to Greenwich from here.
2. Reach Greenwich with the London Cable Car
Not everyone knows that Greenwich can also be reached by cable car, enjoying a splendid view over the city.
The London cable car crosses the Thames and takes you from Royal Docks to North Greenwich.
You can use your prepaid Oyster card or buy tickets at both cable car terminals.
3. Reach Greenwich on foot through the Greenwich Foot tunnel
A final alternative to reach Greenwich, which will surely leave children speechless, is the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, a pedestrian tunnel that crosses the Thames, connecting Greenwich on the south bank, with the Isle of Dogs to the north.
The tunnel was built in 1902 to provide a pedestrian passage under the River Thames and spans 1,215 feet in length.
The entrance to the tunnel, in Greenwich, is near the Cutty Sark ship; while the north entrance is between Island Gardens and the Poplar Rowing Club.
Best things to see in Greenwich with kids
Greenwich map
Royal Museums Greenwich
If you are thinking of visiting Greenwich with children, I suggest you visit at least one of the four museums that are part of the Royal Museums Greenwich: the Royal Greenwich Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House and the Cutty Sark.
To book admission or purchase tickets, where necessary, you can consult the official website of the Royal Museums Greenwich.
1. Royal Greenwich Observatory
The most important attraction in Greenwich is the Royal Greenwich Observatory. It was King Charles II who commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to build it in 1675.
The observatory is located inside Greenwich Park, on top of a steep hill from the top of which you can enjoy one of the best views in the area.
Here, you can visit an astronomy center, the Peter Harrison Planetarium, the only planetarium in London, Flamsteed House and, of course, the “zero meridian”, used as a reference for navigation by sailors since 1884 and from which they are calculated all time zones of the planet.
If your children love astronomy or have just studied meridians and parallels at school, a visit is a must. Having reached the meridian, in the courtyard of the Astronomical Observatory, they will be able to keep their feet on two hemispheres at the same time.
The Astronomical Observatory is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00. To visit it you will need to buy the ticket. You can consult the different options on the Royal Museums website.
Keep in mind that you can only buy the observatory ticket or the one that also includes admission to the Cutty Sark. If you intend to spend the whole day in Greenwich, a visit to the Cutty Sark is highly recommended.
From the observatory, you’ll enjoy one of the best views of London, overlooking Greenwich, the River Thames and the city’s incredible skyline. Look for iconic London landmarks including the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and The Gherkin! While the observatory is paid, the beautiful views are one of the best free things to do in Greenwich.
Where: Blackheath Avenue, Londra
Times: every day 10:00 alle 17:00
2. Stand on the Meridian Line
There are many iconic things to see at the Greenwich Observatory, and standing on the Meridian line is definitely one of them.
The reference meridian, known as the Meridian LIne, is an imaginary line extending from the north pole to the south pole, dividing the eastern and western hemispheres.
At Greenwich Observatory, astronomers have identified the Meridian Line as a reference point for calculating time and longitude. This line is used as the Greenwich time base.
Even today, Greenwich’s longitude 0° is used to determine time zones around the world!
Therefore, during a visit to Greenwich, you cannot miss the opportunity to be at the point where longitude (and time) originates.
However, despite millions of tourists stopping on the Prime Meridian every year, the line is actually slightly out of position!
Modern scientists have discovered that the correct location of the Prime Meridian is about 100 meters further east! This demonstrates how extraordinarily accurate astronomers of the past were, considering the limited technical resources at their disposal, to get so close to a point of longitude that we still use today as a reference for time and navigation.
Ticket: Included in Royal Observatory ticket
3. Cutty Sark
Reopened in April 2012, following extensive restoration work, the Cutty Sark was the last of the great tall ships to sail between England and China in the 19th century.
Today it is possible to admire the museum dedicated to its history, walk on deck, touch its structure with your hand, handle the rudder and observe its greatness.
This Greenwich museum is perfect for children, who can also follow a trail and collect stamps during their visit.
By the way, I suggest you read the article in which I talk about the day we spent discovering the Cutty Sark.
4. National Maritime Museum
Another stop that cannot be missed on your itinerary in Greenwich with children is the National Maritime Museum, the main maritime museum in the United Kingdom.
Here, your children will be able to learn all about Britain’s maritime history, including through fascinating exhibits of maritime engineering and artefacts.
The exhibition will lead them to discover the journeys that have made it possible to shape the world we know today.
Admission is free, but reservations are required.
For children under 7, there is a beautiful themed play area: Ahoy! To access it, don’t forget to book. On weekdays, admission is free; while, on weekends and holidays you pay only 3 £.
5. The Queen’s House
Video credit Royal Museum of Greenwich – Tulip Stairs | Queen’s House
Among the things to see in Greenwich, the Queen’s House should also be mentioned, considered a true architectural masterpiece.
The construction of this elegant villa, commissioned by King James I for his consort, Anne of Denmark, began in 1616. The building, however, was not completed until 1635, when it became the residence of Charles I.
With its creation, the architect Inigo Jones introduced the Palladian style in England. The villa today houses a series of historical paintings and portraits.
Here, don’t miss the enchanting “Scala dei tulipani“, a helical staircase, which owes its name to the flowers on the wrought iron balustrade.
Admission is free, but don’t forget to book on the website.
Greenwich Market
Also not to be missed is Greenwich Market, a lively covered market, dating back to 1737, when only food was sold there.
Today the market is the center of commercial life in Greenwich and there are not only street food stalls and antiques, but also local craft shops and works by emerging artists.
The Arts & Crafts portion of the market takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends, while the Antiques & Collectables portion takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The food stands are, however, available every day.
Greenwich Park
An essential stop for those who have decided to visit Greenwich with children, Greenwich Park, covering an area of 73 hectares, is certainly one of the most beautiful parks in London.
The park is home to various wild animals, such as deer and foxes, rose gardens, a small lake, with pedal boats, and a nice playground.
Don’t miss the viewpoint, on the top of the hill, near the Royal Observatory, for a nice family photo. On clear days, you can see all of Canary Wharf and the City.
Old Royal Naval College & The Painted Hall
Located on the banks of the Thames, the Old Royal Naval College, a masterpiece with two domes designed in 1694 by the architect Christopher Wren as a hospital for the British Navy, is the heart of Maritime Greenwich. Today it houses the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music.
The Old Royal Naval College, located on the birthplace of the famous Tudor King Henry VIII, is a must-see, although the original building was demolished in 1660. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompassing over 500 years of history.
Its structure will probably look familiar to you: the exteriors of these buildings have, in fact, been used in many films and TV shows over the years, such as Sherlock Holmes: Book of Shadows, Pirates of the Caribbean, the King’s Speech and Thor: The Dark World.
An absolute must-see is the Painted Hall, its most popular hall. It is one of the largest banquet halls in Europe and is adorned with elaborate frescoes in the Baroque style. Think that it has been called the Sistine Chapel of Great Britain.
To admire it, you can buy tickets here.
Children will be thrilled to explore the artifacts in the Visitor Center, which includes a replica of Henry VIII’s Tudor Palace and a life-size reconstruction of a 1750 Greenwich boarding house room. You don’t need to be a history buff to appreciate the Old Royal Naval College: It’s one of the top attractions to visit in Greenwich, even for movie lovers!
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
The Greenwich Pedestrian Tunnel is a crucial link which since 1902 has connected London workers to London’s dockyards and Canary Wharf. Even today, around 4000 people use this tunnel on a daily basis, as it is an important commuter transport route between South East London and the Financial District.
Despite its length of 370 meters (1215 feet), walking through the tunnel takes only minutes. To access it, you have to go down 100 steps, but if you prefer, there are lifts available on both sides.
While children may not be thrilled to admire the cast-iron Victorian engineering, walking through the Greenwich Pedestrian Tunnel certainly makes for a unique Greenwich experience. It offers your family a fantastic opportunity to be able to say they have walked under the Thames!
One day Itinerary Greenwich with kids
Once you understand what to see in Greenwich with children, all you have to do is organize the day. Here’s an idea for your itinerary!
From the DLR stop, walk through Greenwich Park and head up the hill to the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian.
Continue on to the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House.
At this point, it will be time for lunch. You could grab a quick bite in Greenwich park and relax while the kids play. Alternatively, I suggest you go to the Trafalgar Tavern, a historic pub in Greenwich.
In the afternoon, you can decide to visit the Old Royal Naval College or the Cutty Sark. With children I suggest you opt for the Cutty Sark, certainly more suitable and more family friendly.
To get back to central London, you could take a cruise on the Thames, up to Tower Bridge. If, on the other hand, you prefer to walk, you could walk through the Greenwich food tunnel.
If you’d like me to help you organize the other days of your trip to London, creating a tailor-made itinerary for you and your family, take a look at the tailor-made London service.
Let me know if you liked the article in the comments!
Francesca
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Francesca
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