The Royal Observatory is the historic home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian Line, located at the top of Greenwich Park in southeast London. Founded in 1675 by King Charles II, the observatory contains historic astronomical instruments, marine timekeepers that solved the longitude problem, and the Peter Harrison Planetarium. The site includes Flamsteed House, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the Great Equatorial Telescope, and the Meridian Building where visitors can stand on the line dividing the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, accessibility information, what to see, and practical tips for planning your visit. To skip the detail, and book your tickets, head here.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00–17:00 (closed 24–26 December) |
| Ticket prices | Adults: £24 | Children (4–15): £12 | Students: £18 | Under 4: Free |
| Address | Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ |
| Nearest transport | Greenwich DLR (10 min walk + hill) | Cutty Sark DLR (13 min walk + hill) |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
| Last entry | 16:15 |
Royal Observatory opening hours
The Royal Observatory is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, except on 24, 25, and 26 December. Last entry is at 16:15. Check the closures page on the official website before travelling to confirm any changes to normal opening hours. The observatory is located at the top of a steep hill in Greenwich Park, and walking routes take between 13 and 25 minutes from the park entrance.
Royal Observatory ticket prices
Adult tickets cost £24, children aged 4 to 15 pay £12, and students pay £18. Children under 4 enter free. Advance online booking is recommended to guarantee entry, as tickets on the day are subject to availability. A Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass costs £38 for adults and £19 for children, providing entry to both the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark. Members enjoy free unlimited entry and do not need to book.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to the Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory is located at the top of Greenwich Park in southeast London. The nearest DLR stations are Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (13-minute walk plus steep hill) and Greenwich (10-minute walk plus steep hill). The nearest National Rail station is Greenwich. North Greenwich Underground station on the Jubilee Line is further away but connected by bus.
Thames Clippers river bus services stop at Greenwich Pier. Several bus routes serve Greenwich; check Transport for London’s website for current routes. Two walking routes through Greenwich Park lead to the observatory: the main route takes up to 13 minutes and includes steps and a steep hill, while the less steep route recommended for wheelchair users takes approximately 25 minutes. Use the TfL journey planner for the most accurate route information.
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Parking at the Royal Observatory
There is a car park inside Greenwich Park operated by Royal Parks. A secure car park at the National Maritime Museum is a 20-minute walk downhill from the observatory. Spaces can be reserved when booking tickets online, with additional spaces subject to availability on arrival. On-street parking in Greenwich is limited and subject to restrictions. Check the Royal Parks website for car park information and pricing.
How long to spend at the Royal Observatory
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at the Royal Observatory. This allows time to explore Flamsteed House, stand on the Prime Meridian Line, view the Great Equatorial Telescope, see John Harrison’s marine timekeepers, and enjoy the views across London. The Peter Harrison Planetarium requires separate tickets and adds 30 to 45 minutes to visit time. Visitors interested in astronomy or the history of timekeeping may wish to allow longer.
Accessibility at the Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory is at the top of a steep hill in Greenwich Park. The less steep walking route takes approximately 25 minutes and is recommended for wheelchair users. A limited number of manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from the Information Desk; advance booking is recommended by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 8312 6608.
Step-free access to the Time in Greenwich gallery (lower ground floor) and Time and Longitude gallery (first floor) is available via an external lift in the Astronomer’s Garden. Ring the bell for assistance when exiting the lift on the first floor. Step-free access to Flamsteed House (floor 0) is available, but this Grade I listed building has narrow entranceways (narrowest point approximately 70cm) and may not be suitable for all wheelchairs. The Meridian Galleries contain narrow entranceways (narrowest point approximately 67cm) and may not be suitable for all wheelchairs. Mobility scooters may be too large for lift access; ask staff for assistance.
Accessible toilets and baby-change facilities are located in the Astronomy Centre, Admissions area, and in the Historic Royal Observatory on the right after exiting Admissions. All toilets and baby-change facilities are wheelchair-accessible. The nearest Changing Places facility is at the National Maritime Museum down the hill. Buggies are not suitable for Flamsteed House or the Planetarium due to narrow interiors; external buggy parks are provided outside both buildings.
Hearing loops are fitted at the information desk and key locations. Some visitor assistants are trained in British Sign Language Level 1. Audio-described tours can be pre-booked. The audio guide is available in multiple languages. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site. There are no cloakroom facilities at the Royal Observatory.
What to see at the Royal Observatory
The Prime Meridian Line in the Meridian Courtyard marks the division between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres at 0° longitude. Visitors can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. The line is marked by a brass strip and an illuminated green laser beam visible at night. Flamsteed House, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675, contains the Octagon Room where the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, observed the stars. The room features original instruments and tall windows for viewing celestial objects.
The Great Equatorial Telescope, housed under a distinctive onion dome, is one of the largest historic refracting telescopes in the world. Built in 1893, the telescope has a 28-inch lens and was used for astronomical observations until the 1950s. John Harrison’s marine timekeepers (H1, H2, H3, and H4) are displayed in the Time and Longitude gallery. These precision clocks solved the longitude problem, allowing sailors to determine their position at sea accurately for the first time.
The Shepherd Gate Clock outside Flamsteed House was the first clock to display Greenwich Mean Time to the public. The 24-hour clock face shows time in Roman numerals. The Astronomer’s Garden provides views across Greenwich Park and London. The Camera Obscura displays real-time projections of Greenwich and the Thames through a Victorian optical device.
The Peter Harrison Planetarium (separate ticket required) offers shows exploring space, astronomy, and the universe. The planetarium is the only one in London and features a bronze-clad exterior. The Astronomy Centre contains interactive exhibits about modern astronomy, including displays on planets, stars, galaxies, and space exploration. The Time in Greenwich gallery explores how Greenwich became the centre of world time.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Book tickets online in advance to guarantee entry, as capacity is limited and tickets on the day are subject to availability. |
| Allow extra time for the steep walk up the hill through Greenwich Park; the less steep route takes approximately 25 minutes. |
| Visit on weekday mornings or late afternoons for quieter periods; weekends and school holidays are busiest. |
| The Peter Harrison Planetarium requires separate tickets and is not included with Royal Observatory admission. |
| Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking uphill on paved and occasionally uneven paths. |
| Refreshments are available from stalls outside the main entrance or at Parkside Café at the National Maritime Museum down the hill. |
| Audio guides are included with admission and available in multiple languages via the Smartify app. |
| Members enter free and do not need to book tickets in advance. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Royal Observatory suitable for children? | Yes, children enjoy standing on the Prime Meridian Line and exploring the telescopes. Interactive exhibits and weekend Observatory Explainers make it family-friendly. Children aged 4 to 15 pay £12; under 4s enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Advance booking is strongly recommended to guarantee entry. Tickets on the day are subject to availability. |
| Is the Royal Observatory open on Sundays? | Yes, the observatory is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, except on 24, 25, and 26 December. |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes, bags are allowed, but there are no cloakroom facilities. Large items may be inconvenient in narrow spaces. |
| How long does a visit take? | Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the observatory. Add 30 to 45 minutes if visiting the planetarium. |
| Is there wheelchair access? | Partial wheelchair access is available via external lifts to some galleries. Some areas have narrow doorways unsuitable for all wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed; book in advance. |
Things to do near the Royal Observatory
The Cutty Sark is a 15-minute walk downhill in Maritime Greenwich. The historic clipper ship, built in 1869, has been preserved and can be explored above and below deck. National Maritime Museum, adjacent to Cutty Sark, offers free entry and contains maritime history collections including Nelson’s Trafalgar uniform and ship models. A Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass provides entry to both the observatory and Cutty Sark.
Queen’s House, next to the National Maritime Museum, is a 17th-century royal villa designed by Inigo Jones. Entry is free, and the house contains art collections including the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I. Greenwich Market, a 15-minute walk from the observatory, operates daily with independent stalls selling crafts, antiques, and food. The O2 arena in North Greenwich, accessible by Thames Clipper or Jubilee Line, offers entertainment, restaurants, and the Up at The O2 climb over the roof of the arena.
More London travel
Other London travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the London Transport Museum.
- What to expect when visiting the Florence Nightingale Museum.
- Plan a visit to the Golden Hinde and Tate Modern in Bankside.
- Explore the Charles Dickens Museum and Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury.
- What to know before visiting Sir John Soane’s Museum and the Hunterian Museum in Holborn.
