Commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II who had strong interests in astronomy, the aim of the Royal Observatory was to solve the problem of finding longitude whilst at sea and not in visual contact with dry land. Sir Christopher Wren designed a handsome building which is now called Flamsteed House after the first Astronomer Royal - 28 year old clergyman called John Flamsteed.
The Greenwich Meridian Line at the Royal Greenwich Observatory is the centre of world time as agreed at a conference in Washington DC in 1884 and visitors from around the World visit to stand astride the line that divides East and West. The Greenwich Meridian Line has a longitude 0° and it was also established that the longitude would be measured in two directions from the Prime Meridian.
The work of the Royal Greenwich Observatory was moved to Hurstmonceux Castle in Sussex in 1948 due to increased pollution of smoke and night light in London, and the buildings now house part of the National Maritime Museum. Here you can see the observation room with its early Tompion clocks and displays on the development of improved navigation at sea that led to Britain's leadership in world exploration and trade for several centuries. The most important, intricate, marine timekeepers of John Harrison, the carpenter/inventor, are all on display alongside the earliest accurate clocks used to establish Greenwich as the world standard for accurate time signals. These Greenwich clocks became the centre for sending the time signal throughout Britain and later by cable to synchronise with other nations. New galleries explore how time impacts on our daily life and the giant 28" refracting telescope can be seen.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 10:00am - 17:00pm
Address
Royal Observatory
Blackheath Avenue
Greenwich
London
SE10 8XJ
Hotels near Greenwich Royal Observatory
The following London hotels are located in central London so they have good transport links to most London events, exhibitions, museums, shows and other top London tourist attractions.