Fancy a trip through time and space? Welcome to Greenwich. This district in London boasts a rich maritime history. It also played a key role in establishing the Prime Meridian Line. That is the navigational 0° of Longitude. This line encircles the globe. It is precisely where the eastern and western hemispheres meet.
Greenwich’s unique position on the River Thames has been important for centuries. Since the Romans established Londinium in 57 AD, the hill where the Royal Observatory sits has been a key vantage point. Royal Astronomers looked to the heavens to navigate the oceans from here. It was also a tactical spot for settlers.
From this bend in the river, you can see all the way into London. You can also see east to the Thames estuary and the North Sea. Because of this view, Greenwich has been a base for Saxons, Vikings, Normans, Plantagenets, and Tudors.
The Greenwich we know today is rooted in the construction of the Palace of Placentia. This established Greenwich as a royal residence in the 15th century. Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I were born here.
Henry VIII established a boat building yard nearby. Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh were associated with it. Drake circumnavigated the globe. Raleigh brought potatoes and tobacco to England. A statue of Raleigh stands outside the Old Royal Naval College Visitor Centre.
James I succeeded Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. He commissioned Inigo Jones to build the Queen’s House as an apology to his wife. She accidentally shot the King’s favorite dog. The Queen’s House is the oldest complete building in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the first neoclassical building in Britain.
Inside the Queen’s House are the Tulip Stairs. These wrought iron stairs are an iconic photo spot. They were also the first self-supporting staircase in Britain. Today, the Queen’s House is a gallery for the art collection of Royal Museums Greenwich.
Charles II’s plans to replace the Palace of Placentia were never completed during his reign. Queen Mary II commissioned a hospital for sailors. Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor remodeled the King Charles building into Greenwich Hospital. The Old Royal Naval College provided a home for sailors.
Artist James Thornhill painted scenes of power and glory on the walls and ceiling of the great dining room. This became known as The Painted Hall. It took Thornhill 19 years to complete. Nelson’s body lay in state here after the Battle of Trafalgar.
In 1675, King Charles II commissioned John Flamsteed as the first Astronomer Royal. Christopher Wren began building the Royal Observatory. Flamsteed House was the first building on the site. The Octagon Room has 360° views of the London skyline.
Flamsteed’s star charts helped Britain navigate the oceans. John Harrison devised a chronometer that kept good time at sea. This led to international time zones. In 1884, Greenwich was named home of the Prime Meridian Line.
Greenwich Market was established in 1700. It was originally located beside the West Gate of the Old Royal Naval College. The market moved to its current location with cobblestones and a roof.
Greenwich Park was once woodland. The hill offers incredible visibility. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans, Plantagenets, and Tudors settled here. Henry VIII’s deer roamed freely. Deer still live in an enclosed area of the park today.
Greenwich is a place of history, science, and beauty. It has played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of time and space. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet.