Royal Observatory

4.4 (125 reviews)

Observatories

Closed • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Royal Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Greenwich, XGL

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We went to the Royal Observatory today. The walk up the hill was VERY challenging for me. I waited for the buggy to come as it said on the sign but I never saw it so I took the challenge and did the 12 minute walk up the hill. Once there, it was very interesting. I definitely learned a lot about time and the struggle ancient Mariners had as a result of not having longitude. Loved standing on the prime meridian. The views were definitely BREATHTAKING.

Karyn E.

Amazing museum of all things relating to time and navigation. I learned so much about navigation before men discovered longitude and then afterward with the invention of the chronometer. Many of the concepts are being used today even with modern technology of digital and cellular. So much to take in and all so interesting. A 1/2 day excursion. (We toured the Cutty Sark same day) Check online for times and ticket prices. We went in the afternoon and it was not busy. Transportation: Ferry, walk to museum Recommendation: Highly recommend and worth a visit when in the London area.

Montage of images from the Royal Observatory

Ed U.

I wonder how the Prime Meridian got started. Did some pompous British minister get frustrated when he asked what time it was and kept getting different answers? But here it is, the line that defined Greenwich Mean Time and placed everyone in their respective time zones. It was the legendary Christopher Wren who established the Royal Observatory in 1675 and provided much needed standards around time. Because of all the historical artifacts, the observatory itself is well worth a self-guided tour even if it's no longer functional. Since it's situated on a pronounced hill in the middle of Greenwich Park, the views of Greenwich and the River Thames are quite photogenic. Most tourists like ourselves come here by boat (the speedier Uber Thames Clipper in our case) and then a gradual uphill climb through the park. What time is it again? RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx

Kimberly W.

I visited with easy to use city pass. I was pretty interesting, but do mind that it is a small hike up to the exploratory. A super interesting experience with lots to learn and lots to see you can definitely spend your whole day in Greenwich, visiting the observatory as well as the cutty sark sailing ship. I think they had a deal where you can see the cutty sark and observatory for certain price cheaper than buying them separately. You can also visit the Amy museum as well as the queen's house while you're here. There's also some exclusive gifts in their gift shops which I loved. I picked up a little astronaut Teddy on my way home. TLDR - great place to spend the day as well as a bunch to see in the area

Quaime L.

Eh. A bit underwhelming. The docent on staff who explained the history of nautical timekeeping devices and their influence on the development of longitude was the highlight, closely followed by the stunning views of the modern London skyline. The staff members were very pleasant and helpful and the men's restrooms were clean. It is a bit quaint and lacks many of the multimedia elements of more modernized museums. But make sure you go in time for rhetorical daily dropping of the red ball at 1:00 PM. The fanfare around it will at least be memorable!

Terry W.

This is basically a museum. I think this place warrants several hours if you look at everything, and read all the informational signs. It tells the story of calculating longitude. Cool piece of history. One intact telescope is here. There's at least one more in pieces. Many displays featuring clocks and timepieces. It's sorta cheesy, but you can get a photo straddling 0deg longitude (prime meridian). Lots of people seem to do that. Not really a place for little kids. They won't get much out of it. But big kids and adults may enjoy it. No need to return, but I'm glad I visited this one time. Very educational and interesting.

William W.

As an admitted science geek, I wasn't going to pass up a chance to stand on the Prime Meridian for a photo op. Sure, the line cuts across a wide swath of England, not to mention France, Spain, and five African countries. I've driven over it many times in the past 30 years. You'll even walk over the line at least three times on your way up to the observatory, (unmarked of course because they want your money). Any GPS app on a phone will let you observe the location without paying admission. But I believe the admission is worth it, a unique opportunity to stand on a clearly marked Prime Meridian at the very observatory where it was originally established, leading to the precise GPS coordinates we use today. Who doesn't want to straddle 0 degrees longitude and stand simultaneously in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres? It's a bit touristy, hence no 5-star rating from me. But the extensive exhibit is a well-organized tribute to geographic and astronomical breakthroughs of the 18th and 19th centuries. If only they had constructed the tennis courts in the park below about 50 feet farther east, so that opponents could play a tennis match in two different hemispheres. Oh, the missed opportunities. Getting there was easy with very little planning and a quick conversation with an underground employee. We found our way from the Tower Hill metro station (at the Tower of London) to the Tower Gateway above-ground train station. From there, it was easy to take the train to the Greenwich station, with one switch of trains along the way. From the Greenwich station, maps show the way uphill to the observatory.

Kevin B.

The Royal Observatory of Greenwich is a fun tourist attraction, though mostly just to say you've done it -- not much repeat value. Inside the paid area, you can walk on the Prime Meridian, the longitude 0° line separating the east and west hemispheres. There are also some educational exhibits about time and the history of timekeeping. Interesting, but not that much to do overall -- maybe 30 minutes worth of activities. Check it out if you want to cross it off the list, but don't expect a ton. Also whether you go inside the official area or not, you can still enjoy lovely views from the top of the hill overlooking Greenwich and London!

Standing astride the prime meridian line (outside the observatory)

Masanori D.

Greenwich is a very cute town, worth visiting. When you are in Greenwich, you should visit the Royal Observatory. The reason why I'm not too thrilled about Greenwich and the observatory in particular is that things close down early in Greenwich. The observatory closes at 5:30pm (last entry at 5:00pm). Most shops close before 6:00pm. I'm sure that one thing everyone wants to do in Greenwich is to stand on the Prime Meridian Line. We arrived at the observatory 3 minutes after 5:00pm and could not get in the observatory. We were so disappointed since the meridian line is fenced in! If you're in the same predicament, don't worry. If you go through the gate between the observatory sign and the clock, you can see the meridian line, an extension of the official one (see my photos). This gate is always open. ****************************** If you found something useful in my review, please hit "useful" so that I can improve my reviews. If you love food and traveling, follow me, or better yet, let's become friends on Yelp! Thank you and happy Yelping!

Fantastic views from the top of the hill!

Kate W.

This is another one of those unique places to visit in Greenwich. If you love astronomy, this will be right up your alley. Personally, I don't particularly enjoy astronomy, so I didn't find the little museum to be of particular interest. However, standing on the meridian line was neat! For a student ticket, the cost is £10. I found out after I bought my ticket that you can actually stand on the meridian line without going into the paid courtyard. As you walk from the planetarium towards the ticket booth, there is a line of black bricks on the ground that marks the meridian line. So you can grab your picture here and enjoy the views of London without entering the museum if you are short on time or not really interested in astronomy. The astronomy cafe had a decent selection of lunch items and it was a nice place to grab a sandwich to enjoy overlooking the fantastic views.

Fluffy L.

A quite small museum. But with nice view to canary wharf. It is in the middle of a park, needs extra walk either take subway or bus. The park it is free, lots of people take picnic here.

Chris E.

Anyone who loves astronomy and great views of the city would absolutely love this place. The Royal Observatory has been the home of the Greenwich Meridian since the mid-1800s. For those who do not know what the Prime Meridian is, it's THE imaginary line that separates the Earth in half between the Eastern and Western Hemisphere and it's a pretty cool thing to be standing right on it. If visitors want to see and step onto the actual Prime Meridian it'll cost them about 9.5 pounds and, if you ARE a tourist, I say go for it like we did! First off though, it is a bit of a trek to get to the Royal Observatory via the Overground. Overground I say because the Underground DOES NOT come here. Visitors must take the DLR/Overground to the Cutty Sark station. Once visitors make it out of the station, they have to just follow the signs toward the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory. It's about a 10 minute walk from the station. To get to the Royal Observatory, most visitors hit up the National Maritime Museum first since it's the 1st large building everyone sees. Plus, IT'S FREE to visit so give it a shot! Once visitors are done exploring the museum, they can exit thru the back of the museum and follow the signs to the Royal Observatory. Visitors have to walk thru Greenwich Park and up a hill to get to the observatory, but it's well worth the small hike as the city views are spectacular and one of a kind! Most folks like taking pictures of the city as they walk up the hill, but they're just wasting their time beause all visitors need to do is take photos of the city from the very top and they'll have their money shot! Most of the view at the top is of Greenwich Park, but on a clear day you can easily see the O2 arena and plenty of office buildings in Canary Wharf. Once you've paid your admission fee and made it into the actual Observatory, there's plenty of exhibits to look at relating to the Prime Meridian. As for the Prime Meredian itself, it's not hard to miss as there was a long line of people standing on it waiting to take photos of the actual sign. If you want group photos with the Prime Meridian your best bet would be to make friends with the people behind you and ask them to help take some photos of your group like we did. Everyone was very accommodating and everyone knew the deal as they stood on line together. Other than those tips, enjoy the awesome view of the city and take it all in!

Beth C.

The perfect place to geek out over scientific history! Set in a large park, this place is easy to access via various transport lines. We arrived soon before it opened on Sunday and joined an international gathering in line. Not a bad crowd, though. Once inside, you are supplied with an audio tour unit, which I found mediocre. Much of the same information was in each room. The courtyard with the meridian line is great for pictures. The museum provides interesting insights into what it was like to live there centuries ago and about the frustration and toil involved in finding out longitude lines at sea.

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Antony M.

17 years ago

The Royal Observatory is free, enjoyable, informative and not as crowded as I once remembered when I visited as a child. This place is fun to visit as an adult or with a party of kids. Some great views across London docklands and Thames read more

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Julian M.

12 years ago

A favourite spot in London! The surrounding area offers one of the best views in town and some lovely walks, while the observatory itself houses many pieces of interest. This includes various intriguing instruments, scopes and dials, plus the fascinating camera obscura "shed" outside. I enjoy coming to the annual Astronomy Photographer Of The Year competition exhibition. While not the best exhibition space around, it does provide a nice atmosphere for some stunning astrophotography. On that note, the Observatory can get crowded, but take your time and enjoy it at your own pace. read more

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Dan E.

Elite 11

141

469

404

17 years ago

I was looking at some of the recent UK reviews and came across Leon C's review and thought to myself, "Hey, I was there and it was really cool." Even though my visit was a few years ago I don't think the observatory has changed much in the last few years (or the last hundred years). To make a great day of it, take the river boat down and then cap your day off with a visit to one of the eating and drinking establishments in the center of town. read more

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Misi P.

Elite 9

461

14 years ago

The Royal Observatory left a lot to be desired in terms of observatories, but I will say that it is fascinating (after climbing that bloody MOUNTAIN) to stand atop of the peak and look out on the whole of London. (OK I admit I took satisfaction in looking my nose down at the 1%-ers and working bods on Canary Wharf) read more

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Helen T.

Elite 14

206

2440

15 years ago

i happened to come here yesterday during the movember 10k, so there were a bunch of runners around. that made me feel bad but at least i was going to be climbing up a hill to go up to the observatory. the museum itself isn't too interesting to me, but you do get to straddle the prime meridian of the world! the planetarium is actually pretty cool, and i watched a show there. when i arrived, it was really foggy out, but when i left, the views of the city were stunning! read more

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Lil D.

314

9 years ago

Worth a visit just to experience the meridian. From the pier or Metro station, enjoy a leisurely stroll, slight uphill, through the park to reach the top. Depending on your speed, stroll is 15-20min. The observatory and the meridian may not be visually spectacular, but to straddle two hemispheres simultaneously is quite awesome. There is fee to enter the observatory and see the meridian, but may be covered by the London Pass. If you plan to go, combine it with a visit to the Cutty Sark. read more

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Qype User (Sally_…)

18 years ago

The new Peter Harrison planetarium is fantastic - really worth the entrance fee. There's a great kid's show called The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket which introduces younger children to the solar system. My children loved it. Great interactive galleries too - and if it's sunny you've got the park on the doorstep - great day out read more

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Hazel M.

382

15 years ago

A lot of fun. Great place to go to on a nice clear day. You can see pretty much see all of Canary Wharf on the other side of the river Thames. read more

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Qype User (Bel…)

132

18 years ago

This is one of the best museums in London. Apart from being interactive and interesting, it manages to stay away from becoming a kids playground and also feels intellectual and informative. Surrounded by the fantastic Greenwich park, it's a hike up the hill that is well worth it for the view and the interesting exhibitions. If you've travelled at all, getting some insight into the eternal cause of jet lag and how it came to be is very interesting. Although the queue for the meridian photo can be long, it may be worth the extra wait you are there after all! read more

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Qype User (Kristy…)

16 years ago

I was first taken to Greenwich observatory by my parents when I was about 12. I loved it then and I love it now. It can get very busy so get there early and enjoy a walk through the park and the panoramic views over London afterwards. Despite the business they do only allow specific numbers in at a time so it does not get overcrowed on the insite. That being said if you want your photograph over the famous line you may have to wait for a while - or go when it is raining! Children love it as it is quite hands on and who can complain about free entry! Be careful with prams and wheelchairs as some areas are not very accessible due to the amount of steps. read more

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Qype User (giovan…)

18 years ago

Climb a long ramp and ten minutes later you're there! Although this may sound like a lot this place is amazing. When you get up you are greeted with the world's most accurate clock - which shows each second divided into thousandths. It's digital and you can even print off a certificate at the EXACT time you were there as proof. It's fun putting a foot on either side of the meridian line and technically being on two sides of the world at once, there's also a house separated by the meridian which is different on the inside. The telescope is amazing and the dark rooms show you all the little people below - wow! read more

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Qype User (tabun3…)

246

195

18 years ago

A great day out but don't go if you're in a wheelchair because it's not all accessible and you won't be able to see it all which is a real shame. In a fantastic location at the top of Greenwich park overlooking the maritime museum and the river Thames. Stunning views across Greenwich. The observatory has some wonderful gadgets, history of time and of course the large red ball which drops every day at 1pm, also of course it is the site of the start of the international dateline and the worlds meridian lines. well worth a visit, no disabled access to speak of really accept for the great gift shop, plenty of parking but always busy and costs a lot if not got a blue badge read more

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Qype User (sophie…)

154

17 years ago

I love greenwich park and the museum is very fascinating, considering its a museum. It is a beautiful building, and the views of london are stunning. It is insightful, and fascinating and there is a large telescope. The history of greenwich is really very fascinating. i would definitely recommend it as a day out because its beautiful read more

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Ted Q.

527

10 years ago

By itself, the observatory is nice enough. However, I would recommend not making the trip to Greenwich just for the observatory. You will leave somewhat disappointed. On the other hand, combining a stop at the observatory with other stops in Greenwich is a great way to spend a large chunk of a day. We made a tour of Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory*, Greenwich Market, Cutty Sark*, and the Thames River Boat Cruise* back to Westminster Pier. Very fun day! * Part of the London Pass, which we found to be a great value. read more

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Qype User (zara7…)

109

18 years ago

A fully interactive experience for children and adults alike. The buzz always seems to be there. You can see all of Greenwich from this vantage point. read more

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Qype User (mushti…)

18 years ago

Greenwich Observatory is in a part of London we hadn't visited before, and we found the whole area fascinating, with its huge white buildings down by the river, and then the walk up through the park to the Observatory at the top of the hill. Wonderful views over London, and the exhibitions inside were very well done. I loved seeing John Harrison's clocks, made as he worked on and solved the longitude problem. It was pretty busy there on a weekday afternoon in spring, with lots of tourist parties, and everyone wanting photos taken standing on the meridian line. The planetarium hadn't opened when we were there in 2007, so we will be going back to visit that. read more

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Qype User (Spoonp…)

17 years ago

Its a bit of a trek up to the Observatory, but on a pleasant day taking a leisurely stroll through the parkland, it is worth it. The museum has lots of interesting historical information, and you can stand with one foot either side of the meridian timeline - one of the only places in the world where you can be in two timezones at once. At night the timeline is illuminated by a laser, which spears off into the sky for miles above London. Also very close to the maritime museum, and a fantastic milkshake shop that is perfect for warm summer days. read more

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Qype User (dbauma…)

16 years ago

Ive been there about ten years ago and I really liked it a lot. But we had no guide and didnt understand everything, not because of the language but because the signs didnt explain itself clearly. But still I really enjoyed beeing there. It surely isnt the most interesting place to be when youre in London but a nice place to go when you like it green and quiet. read more

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Qype User (samanj…)

19 years ago

I think this is a very nice place to look at the beautiful city of London from a very high view point. It overlooks almost the whole area of Greenwich as well as Canary Wharf and the amazing tall buildings! It is particularly beautiful at Sunset. You have a perfect view of the magical colours of the sky when the sun sets as well as the colourful city lights. This place helps me reflect back on my life, gives me inspiration, and makes me appreciate being alive to witness such beauty. Greenwich is a histroic place and it is well worth checking out all what it has to offer there! read more

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Qype User (SamNea…)

16 years ago

Like the Old Royal Naval College, the observatory is an absolute 'must-see' in Greenwich...and it's free! The story of Longitude is explained and you can see Harrison's H4 Clock, which solved the problem of establishing East-West position at sea...eventually making Greenwich the Prime Meridian of the World. Straddling the line between the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth is great fun for kids and adults alike. read more

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Qype User (tashia…)

13 years ago

I was on Alien Revolution event and it was great. They showed us writings from 16-century to modern days and they all searched for life amongst the stars. Now we are planning to visit We Are Aliens! show narrated by Rupert Grint. read more

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Shaka H.

11 years ago

Had a really nice day with the family on a wet miserable summer's day. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking local looking for a nice family day out. read more

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Becca N.

443

15 years ago

Closing time 1800hrs with last admission at 1630hrs. I walked in at 1615hrs...they said they were closed. What? Thanks, so much for that crazy hill I just climbed to get up here. But the view is really nice from the top nonetheless. read more

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Qype User (souths…)

176

112

18 years ago

a must to do but allow plenty of time to look around and get there!!! Your kids will love it too!!!

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James W.

126

18 years ago

one of my fave places in London. i used to come here as a child and run down the lovely steep hill from the observatory towards the river. the surrounding park is great for footy, strolls or equestrian eventing. the observatory has a historic feel, and you must step across the brass Greenwich Meridian line next to it. after all, wasn't this where GMT was invented read more

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Qype User (na02…)

18 years ago

A great place to start discovereing the stars. Recently refurbished at the cost of £millions, this really is a must-see. the new planetarium shows you the stars in away you've never seen them before, and all their new state-of-the-art digital wizardry makes the heavens literally come to life. And this is someone who knows nothing about stars! You can still see the huge telescope in the observatory dome, and sometimes they open up and let visitors look through it. most of the new exhibits are hands-on, so there's plenty for the kids (and non-astronomers like me!). There's also a cafe and shop to complete the great day out. read more

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Qype User (Nikki_…)

17 years ago

Greenwich is a lovely area and you simply have to go the observatory if you around there. The viewsa re fantastic and the surrounding park is lovely. You can have a bit of a science lesson if you like and learn about Greeenwich Mean Time and the history of timekeeping. The planaterium is a great development and a show must be seen there if possible. read more

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Page 3 of 4

Blackheath Avenue
Greenwich SE10 8XJ
United Kingdom
Greenwich
Directions
020 8858 4422
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory/

Hours

What time does Royal Observatory open?

Royal Observatory opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Royal Observatory close?

Royal Observatory closes at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Other Amenities

Does Royal Observatory have free WiFi?

Yes, Royal Observatory has free WiFi.

Royal Observatory Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Royal Observatory

“There's a lot of history to see inside the museum covering astronomy, timekeeping, and the prime meridian.”

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Observatory Science Centre

4.5(2 reviews)

44.5 mi

Formerly the site of the Royal Observatory (from 1958-1990), the site is now run by a charity as a…read morevenue for exhibitions, lectures and educational programmes. The renovated telescopes can be visited by the public, for school visits, and are used by colleges and astronomical societies. It makes a great fun-but-educational family day out. Most people associate the Royal Observatory with Greenwich, where it was founded by Charles II in 1675. It was increasingly recognised that London was not a good location due to light and atmospheric pollution, and the effects of vibrations from rising road and rail traffic. Plans were made to relocate the observatory in the 1930s; transfer began to the new site at Herstmonceux in 1947 and was completed in 1958. The complex of buildings was constructed to house three reflecting and three refracting telescopes in six domes, of brick and concrete with green copper domes and balustraded balconies, with adjoining support buildings, all set around a central ornamental pond. These are themselves classic examples of 1950s architecture. The telescopes were joined in 1967 by the giant 98-inch Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) once housed in the silver dome to the south of the main complex. The UK was never an ideal site for astronomical observations because of the preponderance of cloud, and over time, increasing light pollution from Eastbourne. The growth of cheap air travel in the 1960s enabled astronomers to travel to parts of the world with clearer skies and in 1984 the INT telescope was moved to the Canary Islands. Eventually, the decision was taken to close the site and move the remaining staff to the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge. The site reopened in its current guise in 1995 and the site, including the telescopes, was refurbished in 2004. Visitors now enter through the eastern grounds of Herstmonceux Castle (itself now a college of Queen's College, Ontario). Car parking is available in a small car park but in summer most park on the lawn in front. The ticket office at the entrance houses a small shop with merchandise aimed at children and young people, covering a range of scientific subjects. Numbers are limited, so advanced booking is strongly recommended. There are guided tours of the telescopes (which take about half an hour) and separate science demonstrations. The site has both indoor and outdoor hands-on activities for children (of all ages!) covering aspects of science and engineering - a bit like a small hands-on science museum. We found the volunteer staff to be friendly and knowledgeable, and the sessions were very interactive for the children. We happily spent a couple of hours there. There is a small cafe on site, serving drinks and a limited range of snacks. The site is on several levels and has a lot of steps and gravel pathways, but there are ramps for level access and a disabled toilet: more details are on the main website. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times, and dogs are not admitted (except assistance dogs). As well as being open for general visits, there are periodic stargazing evenings: numbers are also limited for these and need to be booked in advance.

This is such an interesting place to take the kids for some star-gazing. They are so good at…read morekeeping everyone's attention on the go (things like this can get a bit boring). There's so many different night and daytime events on offer here and a lot of them depend on weather and, of course the stars but we had a great night there and got to see so many beautiful sights. There's a fantastic shop to pop into at the end of the day with some really interesting and informative books to buy.

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Observatory and geological garden

$Observatory Science Centre - Observatory: the refractive telescope of 1898.$

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Observatory: the refractive telescope of 1898.

Hampstead Astronomical Observatory

4.0(1 review)

9.6 mi•Hampstead Village

Located at the far northern end of Lower Terrace, south of Whitestone Pond, this fully working mini…read moreobservatory & weather station is open to the public from September to April (weather permitting). The six inch refracting telescope is perfectly placed upon the highest point in London. Learn something new everyday.

British Airways i360

4.0(4 reviews)

45.7 mi

I enjoyed a sunset view of Brighton (7:15pm departure) in September 2023 with a large group of…read morefolks attending a conference. This is a fun experience and provides a lovely view of the coast. Be sure to arrive 20 minutes early to check-in for the flight! The glass-enclosed ring can hold lots of people and provides superb views at the top. You can see the dense development and sprawl of Hove (west of Brighton) as well as the surrounding hills. The glass ring also ascends very slowly which allows you to view the coast from different vantage points. Please note the glass ring does not rotate, so you'll have to move to another position if you wish to see the water (or hills to the north). At the end of the "flight", rest rooms are available near the gift shop. Overall, it's a bit pricey and touristy - but worth seeing for first-time visitors to Brighton. If you enjoy history and architecture more, I would recommend seeing the Royal Pavilion before ascending the I-360 if your time is limited.

This is a great place to visit at the start of your trip to Brighton, as you get 360 views of the…read morebeach and the city. "Flights" take place every half hour, and they require that you arrive 20 minutes early to go through security. Ticketing and security employees were friendly and efficient at getting you through. I was through security in about 5 minutes. While you wait for your boarding time, you can enjoy their patio and relax in a lounger while watching the waves. Once you board and begin your ascent, you are able to take in the views and purchase snacks and drinks at the snack bar inside the pod. The host welcomes you on board, but doesn't speak again until you land and they tell you it's time to get off. It would have been nice if they would had pointed out some places of interest. It might be helpful to do a little reading before your flight so you know what you are looking at. I had good views on the day that I went, but I was a little disappointed that the pod didn't rotate 360 degrees at the top like I thought it did. Luckily, my flight wasn't terribly crowded, so I could walk around the pod and take in all the sights. Once you land, they drop you off in their gift shop. There is a small exhibit on how the i360 was built and there are free public toilets available for your use. One thing I will mention is don't count on getting lots of great photos at the top. The views are stunning, but the glare on the glass walls makes taking pictures almost impossible.

Photos

The I-360 sign is easy to find on the west side of Brighton.

Sunset view to the west - just lovely!

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Cameron C.

14 years ago

Whole world synchronised! It sounds enormous and it is. I can strongly recommend to visit the Royal Observatory to the ones who still didn't. Exciting experience. It just can't be explained with words. However, I will try. First of all, I recommend you to go before 1pm so you will be able to see the time ball drop. It is just beautiful. Besides, all the exhibits in the museum for sure you have to see Shepherd Clock. It was installed outside the observatory (it is very hard to miss it!) in 1852 to make Greenwich Mean Time accessible for the public. Whatever you do the "what I HAVE TO DO" is to see the Prime Meridian. The feeling of being in the 2 sides of the Earth in the same time is indescribable. You are just there. Between the East and the West. At last, but not by importance I would like to recommend you to visit the planetarium. I've never seen so great and interactive shows. If you would like to learn about the universe this is the place which you have to visit. Despite all this I have one note for you. Pay attention to the groups of tourists. Sometimes, in rare cases, there are children running around, may be because of lack of curiosity. In my opinion this is not the atmosphere that such a scientific museum should has. Anyways, I think that this small detail can be forgotten very fast once you dive in the science, history and time which Royal Observatory Greenwich offers you. read more

Qype User (laydee…)

18 years ago

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich park is well worth a visit. Greenwich has a lot of history, and as a resident of the area, I really enjoyed finding out about the history. I think this would be an excellent place to take kids. I think it is free, which makes it even better. The Planetarium is also very much worth visiting. The guy that does the talk in the planetarium is fascinating and the seats are very comfortable! I learnt a lot about the heritage of Greenwich from visiting and I would definitely recommend others to visit too. Go try it! read more

Qype User (Baggio…)

123

18 years ago

I think this is a must see for any tourists - a nice place with some real world significance in defining the time line around the world and the related time differences, whilst providing some good photo opportunities, of the observatory itself, the maritime museum and the green open space, and also of a long yet complete shot of the Canary Wharf estate. The open space is a great place for either a stroll or even a picnic during the summer months, but you need to get there quick, or else all the sun bathers will have taken over the park! read more

Qype User (tripo…)

18 years ago

On a sunny day this is a must see in London. On weekends they enact the life at the observatory over the centuries and explain why the meridian has moved so often. As the observatory is on top of a hill overlooking Greenwich park and the former Naval Academy, this is well worth it just for the views. If you have time bring some food and have a picnic in the park. I would recommend starting your trip at the Naval Academy (now part of Greenwich University I think) and walk through its white houses towards the park and up the hill. read more

Qype User (hazeld…)

18 years ago

The Royal Obserivety in Greenwich is on my to do list this year. As simple as it may be, the site is original of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) The Meridian Line is going through this area. The well known meeting scene used in Layer Cake was filmed there overlooking Canary Wharf (Docklands). Looks like this is a place to take the kids to run around and a great view for us adults or that romantic walk. It also overlooks the impressive building of the Naval Academy. I am waiting for that sunny day to go and check this place out. read more

Abigail M.

14 years ago

This is a 'MUST GO TO' place, especially if you have kids and you want them to learn something new. The place is amazing and on top of that is free. Even though I've visited the observatory countless times, each new visit is like the first one, I'm all excited about it, I my self feel like a little kid ready to explore. Another thing to add is that there's a big park where you can hang out with your friends or plan a picnic with your family. read more

Qype User (Flatst…)

18 years ago

My children completely absorbed and fascinated by this trip would definitely recommend it to anyone, we were still talking about it weeks later, very informative talk. The museum is not at all stuffy. when we went there was a childrens event making their own compasses which they loved. great gift shop too. read more

Qype User (blacks…)

18 years ago

The Greenwich Royal Observatory was founded by order of King Charles II to study, crucial to the history of the British, more like a 21st century theme park in a way, a place to relax and enjoy cultural observatory, a most see for tourist and nationals. read more

Qype User (mccak8…)

18 years ago

Fun and inforamtive. My younger brother loved this place. Was quite busy when we were there, but staff were well informed and coping easily! There is so mush to see and do in greenwich, i would recommend taking a whole day there. read more