Greenwich Maritime History

The Greenwich Foot Tunnel is defined by the glazed, glass-topped circular dome that marks its southern entrance near the riverfront. Opened in nineteen oh two, this subterranean passage was engineered by Sir Alexander Binnie to replace an…

The Cutty Sark rises above the ground on a glass cradle, its long, narrow hull and three tall, raking masts instantly recognizable against the skyline. Built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in eighteen sixty-nine, this extreme clipper was designed…

Two massive stone domes rise above the riverside, anchoring a grand, symmetrical complex that steps down toward the Thames. This is the Old Royal Naval College, a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren…

The Trafalgar Tavern is recognizable by its long, white-stuccoed riverside façade, featuring canopied bow windows and cast-iron balconies that overlook the Thames. Built in eighteen thirty-seven, the building replaced an older…

Trinity Hospital is the oldest surviving building in Greenwich, distinguished by a cream-colored, castellated facade that stands in sharp contrast to the massive, industrial brickwork of the nearby power station. Founded in sixteen…

The Queen’s House is a bright white villa that stands apart from the surrounding architecture. Completed in sixteen thirty-five, it is the earliest example of classical architecture in Britain, designed by Inigo Jones after he returned…

The National Maritime Museum occupies the former site of the Royal Hospital School, a collection of buildings that once housed the children of sailors. You can identify the museum by its extensive grounds within Greenwich Park and its…

The Royal Observatory sits atop the hill in Greenwich Park, distinguished by a time ball mounted on the roof of its original Octagon Room. King Charles the Second commissioned this scientific institution in sixteen seventy-five to solve…