Stepping into Greenwich – A Hidden Paradise in Bustling London

📍 London · 👁 6079 reads · ❤️ 20 likes

Greenwich is located in the southeast of London, and its strong British vibe gives you a wonderful sense of being in a hidden paradise amidst a bustling world. Upon arriving in Greenwich, you'll find that its impression is vastly different from the noisy central London. Greenwich brings together iconic attractions related to astronomy, royal palaces, and maritime history, showcasing rich historical culture and a pleasant local charm. Today, join Go City as we step into this town that is an absolute must-visit on any London trip!

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich is the starting point of time and the location of the Prime Meridian, often found in childhood geography textbooks. A seemingly simple zero-degree longitude line holds extraordinary significance. Stepping with one foot in the Eastern Hemisphere and the other in the Western Hemisphere is a unique feeling that only those who have visited can truly understand.

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich was built in 1675, originally established to precisely observe the Moon and stars, helping navigators determine longitude. With the advancement of technology, it has become a world-renowned comprehensive optical observatory. Friends with a strong interest in astronomy, navigation, and time calculation may want to visit the exhibition rooms to learn more about the evolution of science and astronomy over the centuries.

The Cutty Sark was built in 1869, reputed to be the fastest sailing ship in the history of sail, and is the oldest surviving clipper ship. Today, it rests at the Greenwich port on the River Thames in England, welcoming countless visitors from around the world each year.

From the mid-17th century, Chinese tea was regarded as a precious luxury by the British aristocracy, and the tea-drinking culture quickly became popular among the noble circles. The ship was originally built for the tea trade between China and Britain. The Cutty Sark sailed to Shanghai multiple times, and on its first voyage, it brought over 600,000 kilograms of Chinese tea back to London.

In addition to the Sino-British tea trade, the Cutty Sark later joined the wool trade transport between Australia and Britain. It set a record by completing the journey between Sydney and London in just 73 days, establishing its reputation as the fastest merchant ship. Although the birth of the Cutty Sark signified the peak of sailing ship construction technology, it also marked the perfect end of the era of traditional sailing ships, followed by the age of steam engines.

One ticket takes you to the Royal Museums Greenwich, which connects three famous buildings: the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House, and the Royal Observatory Astronomy Centre. The National Maritime Museum displays a large collection of historical artifacts and records the heroic deeds of famous maritime explorers. Not only that, but it also houses the world's largest maritime library and as many as 400 treasured items.

Next, you can visit the Queen's House, built in the 17th century. The architectural design of this building is breathtaking, and even the floor under your feet features exquisite black-and-white geometric marble. When you come here, be sure to take a photo by the gorgeous and mysterious Tulip Stairs, which is the first spiral staircase in British history built with a double-helix structure.

This ticket also includes admission to the Royal Observatory Centre. In addition to displaying many collections, it regularly screens various cosmic documentary series. The simulated sky scene showcases various space-time wonders, making it very suitable for children to learn and gain more knowledge about the universe.

Does poverty really limit people's imagination? Today, let's follow Go City to see the luxurious life of one of the richest men in 19th-century Britain! Back then, diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher discovered a diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa, and became one of Britain's wealthy. With his immense fortune, he invested a large portion of his life's wealth in his beloved art collections.

At the end of the 19th century, Ranger's House was acquired by English Heritage and redecorated. They then reached an agreement with the Wernher Foundation to store over 700 items there, opening it to visitors. Here, you can witness a series of medieval, Renaissance, and early modern artworks, including unique wood carvings, religious statues, Gothic ivories, and handmade furniture.

This World Heritage Site has a history of over 500 years. It first served as a royal palace, then as a hospital for soldiers during the Anglo-French wars, and finally, in 1871, it was converted into the Royal Naval College and vacated in 1998. The Royal Naval College is known as the "cradle" of British naval officers, having trained many outstanding junior naval officers.

Today, although most of the buildings of the old college are no longer open to visitors, fortunately, tourists can still visit the magnificent Painted Hall. The ceiling and wall decorations of this Baroque-style building were all painted by hand, and the massive project took nearly 19 years to complete. Unfortunately, after over 300 years, these murals have begun to deteriorate. However, thankfully, most of them have been restored to their former glory through years of careful restoration by conservators, and visitors can now sit comfortably and enjoy the murals at leisure.

Embarking on a journey to Greenwich, every step holds a different scenery. Let the Go City Pass accompany you to explore this hidden paradise away from the noisy city, adding a finishing touch to your London trip.

Travel Directory

1. 01 Royal Observatory, Greenwich (Original price £16, free with Go City Pass)

2. 02 Cutty Sark (Original price £15, free with Go City Pass)

3. 03 Royal Museums Greenwich (Original price £6, free with Go City Pass)

4. 04 Wernher Collection at Ranger's House (Original price £11.10, free with Go City Pass)

5. 05 Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich (Original price £13.50, free with Go City Pass)

Travel Information

Hotel Index

Travel Guide Index

Airfare Index

Website Navigation

Travel Index