historical house, open site, museum
Sir Christopher Wren, 1696
Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 9NN
Sir Christopher Wren's riverside masterpiece in Greenwich, built as the Royal Hospital for Seamen and begun in 1696 on the site of the Tudor Greenwich Palace. Occupied by the Royal Naval College from 1869 to 1998, it is now a premier historic, cultural and educational destination in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cutty Sark
Greenwich, Maze Hill
177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386, 129
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service to Greenwich
See: https://ornc.org/plan-a-visit/accessibility/ and https://ornc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/200120-ORNC-Accessibility-Map.pdf
BSL-led tours will run on Sunday 15 September. Step-free access is available to Admiral's House (ground floor only ) and to the Grand Square
10:00–16:30
Tours: Grand Square, King William Courtyard and Jacobean Undercroft. Book in person on the day in Lower Grand Square. See https://ornc.org
10:00–17:00
Tours: Grand Square, King William Courtyard and Jacobean Undercroft. Admiral's House open 11.00-17.00. BSL-led tours. See https://ornc.org
Sunday 15 September, 11.00-17.00, drop-in.
One of the oldest surviving parts of the site, Admiral’s House, overlooking the Thames, was once the residence of the Governor of the Royal Hospital for Seamen. Originally designed by John Webb for Charles II as part of a plan to create a royal palace to rival Versailles, it was later part of the complex to house seamen of the Royal Navy who could no longer go to sea. New this year for Open House is the Morning Room, displaying a collection of items relating to Admiral Nelson. A rare chance to view this elegant space.
Saturday 14 September, 10.30-15.30, and Sunday 15 September, 10.30-15.30, walking tour.
Bookable in-person, on the day, from our Open House table in Lower Grand Square.
The Grand Square of the Old Royal Naval College lies at the heart of one of the most spectacular architectural complexes in Europe. These short tours will explore the histories behind the sweeping vistas on view.
The Grand Square tour will last approximately 15 minutes and will be repeated at half past the hour from 10.30 to 15.30 on 14 and 15 September.
Saturday 14, 11.00-16.00, and Sunday 15 September, 11.00-16.00, walking tours.
Bookable in-person, on the day, from our Open House table in Grand Square.
Hawksmoor’s work in the King William Courtyard, with its massive scale and sculptural enrichment, is a quintessential example of English Baroque architecture. The Courtyard is overlooked by the Nelson Pediment, created in Coade stone to a design by the American-born history painter, Benjamin West. These short tours will explore the art and architecture of this unique space.
The King William Courtyard talk will last approximately 15 minutes and will be repeated on the hour from 11.00 to 16.00.
We regret there is no step-free access for this talk.
Saturday 14 September, 11.00-16.00, and Sunday 15 September, 11.00-16.00.
Bookable in-person, on the day, from our Open House table in Grand Square.
A rare opportunity to visit the Undercroft of the Queen Anne Building, a survival from the early 1600s and the only remaining intact room from Greenwich Palace.
The Jacobean Undercroft visit will last approximately 20 minutes and will be repeated on the hour from 11.00 to 16.00.
The Undercroft is reached by a flight of steps: we regret there is no step-free access for this visit.
