Greenwich in half a day: a plan that works

Read this first: the Royal Observatory is closing

The Royal Observatory closes temporarily on 2 Nov 2026 for a refurbishment project. [1] Royal Museums Greenwich says the Meridian Courtyard will reopen in summer 2027, with tickets going on sale in January, and the full project is due to finish by spring 2028. [2] Its page does not say whether you can see the Prime Meridian line during the closure, so assume you cannot. If standing on the line is the point of your trip, go before 2 Nov, and book a timed ticket in advance, because tickets on the day depend on availability. [1]

The rest of Greenwich stays open. The plan below works either way.

The order of play

A half day is enough for three or four stops if you start at the top of the hill and walk down to the river.

1. Royal Observatory (until 2 Nov 2026). Entry is ticketed for everyone. You can stand on the Prime Meridian line, see the Octagon Room and the Great Equatorial Telescope, and an audio guide is included. [1] The Peter Harrison Planetarium is closed for renovation, and a planetarium experience is offered at the National Maritime Museum instead. [1]
2. Greenwich Park. The Royal Parks page describes the view over London’s skyline from the top of the park’s highest hill. It also mentions the Flower Garden and One Tree Hill, a quieter summit. [5] After 2 Nov, start here instead and take the view first.
3. Cutty Sark. The ship is a ticketed attraction, not a free one. Entry lets you explore the main deck and walk beneath the ship, and booking ahead is recommended to guarantee a time. [4] A display on Black and Asian seafarers is listed as opening on 23 Oct 2026. [4]
4. Old Royal Naval College and the Painted Hall. The Painted Hall is ticketed, and access comes with an Old Royal Naval College ticket. [6] The page we read does not say whether the grounds are free to walk through, so check before you rely on that.

If you only have time for two stops, take the park view and Cutty Sark, or the Observatory and the Painted Hall.

Free options that fill a gap

The National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House are both listed as free to enter, with booking recommended. [3] That makes them a good fallback if the Observatory is closed, a ticket sells out, or rain arrives.

Getting there

• DLR: Cutty Sark DLR is the nearest DLR stop to the ship. [3]
• Train: Royal Museums Greenwich says trains from London Bridge reach Greenwich in about 8 minutes. Greenwich and Maze Hill are the nearby stations. [3]
• Boat: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers serves Greenwich Pier. [3] Check the operator’s timetable before you plan around it.

Each operator publishes its own timetables and disruption notices, and we have not quoted times. Check the day before.

The Observatory sits in the park, so starting there gets the climb done first and leaves a downhill walk to the river.

A sensible half day

• Book timed tickets for the Observatory (if you are going before 2 Nov) and Cutty Sark.
• Start in the morning at the hill, then walk down.
• Do the Painted Hall or the free museums after the ship.
• Leave by boat if the weather is good. Otherwise take the DLR or train.

Opening hours and last-entry times change, and some sites list different times. Check each venue’s page on the day you go.

For a longer route that links the park, the Observatory site and the riverside on foot, see our Greenwich Park, observatory and riverside walk and the Greenwich guide.

Places in this article

Photos from our guides; each links to the page that lists the place.