Arrive in Greenwich via the Docklands Light Railway and alight at Island Gardens. The gardens were built to provide a place of relaxation for the dockers who worked in the shipyards and were the industrial workforce of the Docklands hailing from the Isle of Dogs. The gardens were also meant to provide an ‘environmental tonic’ to the patients in the Seamen's Hospital on the opposite bank, after a damning health inspection. The three-acre park has several shops, but the main reason to visit is to take in the breathtaking panorama of Maritime Greenwich. Take in the sights of the River Thames, Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park from this spot. This scene was immortalised in Canaletto's (a Venetian Old Master painter) ‘A View of Greenwich from the River’, with some calling it, one of the best views of London.

Island Gardens

The Greenwich Foot Tunnel links the Isle of Dogs to Greenwich town and was built to help move dock workers quickly under the river and take the stress off the ferries. It opened in 1902 and has been in action ever since. It was the third tunnel built under the Thames but was the first built specifically for pedestrians and stretches 370M in length. It’s still popular today, and as you walk under the Thames to visit the South bank, listen out for the eerie acoustics along the tile walls as you go.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel

Who doesn’t love a good cup of tea? Situated close to the Thames shoreline, the Cutty Sark is a visible link to the early days of the British obsession with tea and today is a popular attraction. It was designed to carry tea from China, the original source of tea. This was before the establishment of plantations in India, Sri Lanka and East Africa, which now provide the majority of the ingredients in our morning brew. The Cutty Sark would pick up tea from ports such as Shanghai and bring the cargo back to the UK as quickly as possible. The quicker to market, the better the price. Voyages would take about four months, just one-way! You can climb on board of the Cutty Sark for a price, but if you're short on time, peer through the glass windows to get a clear picture.

Cutty Sark

Greenwich has had a market since Medieval times, with the current market having been in existence since the 1700s, it was based in the West Gate of the Royal Naval College. Its growth into surrounding dingy and dangerous alleys led to a move to the existing site, ensuring it didn't lower the tone of the neighbourhood. &nbsp;Livestock, fish, and all manner of food products were served up for the buyers, as well as fine (and not so fine) china, glass and earthenware. Cobbled streets were laid and roofs erected. Later the timber roofs were torn down and replaced by the steel and glazed ones you can see today. The market's fortunes waxed and waned, and from the 1980s a new generation of traders moved in, selling crafts and artisan goods. It's open 7 days a week, so if you like to shop… get down there!

Greenwich Market

Today comprised of several museums and galleries making up called the Royal Greenwich Museums, this site has seen a lot of action over the years. Built in the 1430s, it was remodelled by the Tudors becoming known as Greenwich Palace. It became an integral part of Tudor life, hosting banquets, theatre and plenty of celebrations. It's the birthplace of Henry VIII - who would later marry his first wife here - as well as his daughters Queens Mary and Elizabeth. The Stuarts maintained use of the Palace, with Charles I living here before being executed. Most of the buildings were destroyed during the Civil War. Sir Christopher Wren designed the new site which became the Greenwich Hospital for Seamen. It was later converted to the Royal Naval College in 1873. The Navy moved out in 1998, and the site now has multiple users. Most buildings are free to view including Queens House and the Painted Hall.

Greenwich Palace

The Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian Line are up there with the most iconic attractions in Greenwich. The origins of the site began with Charles II setting up a Royal Commission for Astronomy. Voting to build a Royal Observatory, they chose this location because of the strong foundations of the old Greenwich Castle. This was an age of discovery for the European nations, and navigational skills were highly valued. Everything was done to find ways to navigate the seas accurately, and it was decided that there had to be a global agreement on time. At an international conference in the late 19th century, it was agreed that London would be the site of Prime Meridian. Tickets can be purchased to enter a museum and exhibition on site with more information. At night you can view a light projection of the Greenwich Mean Time line, shining above the observatory. Book a show at the planetarium situated behind the observatory, with daily viewings of the night time sky above London.

Royal Observatory

Greenwich Park is a popular tourist destination, go and see for yourself. It also has a bit of a buried past, which is just the type of history this guide enjoys bringing to the surface! Workmen digging into a mound in 1902 uncovered the remains of what has been identified as a Romano-Celtic temple. So-called, because whilst it was used by the Romans during their occupation of Britain, there were signs of use further back into the Iron Age. Temples were a central feature of everyday life, and the site has uncovered several interesting finds, as well as being the subject of a TV investigation. Look out for the plaque detailing what the temple would have looked like on your walk around the park.

Roman Remains

Stop by the National Maritime Museum and find out about legendary naval commander Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson. Following his death at the Battle of Trafalgar 1805, his remains were brought to Greenwich and his coffin lay in rest&nbsp;in the Painted Hall at the Royal Naval College. An estimated 100,000 visitors paid their respects. After two days, his body was transported to Westminster on the Rosa barge and then onto St Paul’s Cathedral followed by a flotilla of boats. See the uniform Nelson was wearing when he was shot by a French musketman, displayed in the museum. Entrance is free.

National Maritime Museum

Fancy a dip in the Thames? It’s certainly not advisable in the main stretch of the river, but in the early 20th century Londoners who couldn’t afford to travel to seaside resorts would flock to the riverbanks on their time off. Greenwich beach was a popular destination, once the tide went out leaving behind a sandy shoreline. As well as sunbathers, you’d also find mudlarkers scouring the foreshore for washed up treasure. All sorts of remains could be found from as far back as Roman times. One of the more common and interesting items you can still find are clay tobacco pipes, which would be thrown away after use. Next time you're by the shore, have a look, and you may see a mudlarker or two out on the river.

Greenwich Beach

It's often forgotten, but London used to be the largest port in the world; importing, handling and exporting goods from all corners of the globe. Greenwich was not one of the more substantial docks, but it had numerous quays, piers and wharves that all contributed to the growth of the British Empire during the Industrial Revolution. If you walked along the waterfront, it would be easy enough to identify the companies and products, with the docks often named after the products or countries they dealt with, e.g. East India Docks, Honduras Wharf. Some of the docks have been redesigned into housing, but pockets of history still exist today if you know where to look. Hop on a Thames Clipper - part of the London transport system - from Greenwich to North Greenwich, where you can end your day with a sky high view of London’s watery past with a ride on the Emirates Air Line.

Greenwich Docklands

Step back in time and explore the rich historical heritage of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, a globally-renowned destination that boasts an abundance of fascinating sites. From links to Romans, Tudor Royalty and British Imperial history, this tour offers a unique insight into the cultural tapestry of this charming town. The pièce de résistance of this off-the-beaten track tour is the Greenwich Maritime UNESCO heritage site, which has earned its place as the navigational centre of the world. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating history of Greenwich, a journey that will leave you feeling culturally enriched and enlightened.

Audio tour | P6 | 6.99 EUR

Greenwich Tour

Welcome to London

Welcome to London, home of the Royal Family and Big Ben, once the heart of an empire that covered a quarter of the panet, and now among many other things... a forest! There are so many trees in London that it qualifies for the title under UN forestry standards. 
As you enjoy the greenery along your tour today I’m sure you’ll recognise many iconic landmarks and postcard worthy scenery but we are also going to be guiding you through some of London’s less known stories that shaped the destiny of this great city. 
To enjoy a truly immersive experience, we encourage you to enable the autoplay function that you can turn on by clicking the three dots in the right hand corner of the screen. This will allow for the audio files to start playing automatically as you approach sights that are part of your tour.&nbsp;We have built a few more features to help you navigate around the city. 
If you click the “Map” icon - you will see your tour route and your location. If you ever feel slightly lost, you can always get directions on how to reach a specific site by clicking on the directions icon. Now, click next to begin your tour, and the directions icon if you need guidance to reach the first site. 
Enjoy!

The End of the Tour

You have come to the end of the tour!&nbsp; 
I hope you enjoyed exploring London and learned something new to share with others. 
Globetrott would love to hear your feedback, which you can leave in the window that is about to pop-up on your screen.&nbsp; 
A quick tip while you’re writing your review: 
Most museums and galleries in London are free to visit. We particularly like The National Gallery and the Natural History Museum. 
Thank you for choosing GlobeTrott and see you next time!

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London

Greenwich Tour

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