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The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
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approx. 90 minutes
Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ
accepted
Highlights
- Admission to the Royal Observatory
- Visit the Home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
- Museum of Time and Astronomy
- See the Octagon Room, design by Sir Christopher Wren
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Download the interactive audio-guides on your smartphone using the Smartify App
Inclusions
What's Included:
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What's Excluded:
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Description
The Royal Observatory in London’s Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the famous Prime Meridian of the World - 0° 0’ 0”! Built for the purpose of finding longitude at sea, architect Sir Christopher Wren’s Royal Observatory is also a museum of time and astronomy. Check out the early Tompion clocks and displays on navigation at sea that show how Britain led the world in global exploration and trade. Greenwich was endorsed by international agreement in 1884 as the Prime Meridian of the world, and you will be able to stand astride the very line that separates East and West!
Pay a visit to the Royal Observatory and see how the Astronomers Royal used to live and work inside Flamsteed House, the building first erected on this site. The Astronomy Centre lets visitors try their hand at being an astronomer and touch a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite!
Exclusive Early Access
Explore the Royal Observatory before crowds and enjoy an exclusive-access guided tour of one of Britain’s most historic buildings. An expert guide will provide interesting facts and stories about the Royal Observatory, including the story of how the Prime Meridian came to be in Greenwich, the search for longitude, and the history of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Visitors will be able to see:
Meridian Line /courtyard
Camera Obscura
Meridian Building, including 3 telescope transit rooms
Time for Society gallery
Great Equatorial Telescope
Shepherds Gate Clock
Flamsteed House
Dropping of the Time Ball
Time for the Navy Gallery
Additional Information
- A valid student card may be requested on arrival if a student ticket has been purchased.
- Exclusive Early Access tour is in English only and for over 18s only.
- Once Exclusive Early Access tickets have been purchased, they cannot be cancelled or amended.
- You will receive an e-ticket for this activity.
Schedule
Days of Operation: Daily
Opening times: 10:00am until 5:00pm (Last admission at 4:15pm).
Address: Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ
Exclusive Early Access meeting point: Please arrive at 9 am at the entrance to the Royal Observatory near the Shepherd Gate Clock, where your guide will meet you.
Exclusive Early Access days of operation: Saturdays, 9am to 10am.
