Old Royal Naval College
What Visitors Say
Went for a.festival, Dom Dolla so was always going to be happy but the venue was excellent. Got VIP so was based in the cool hall with separate bar and nice toilets. As a venue I can't fault it, security were good, pricy as ever in the places but ok.
The Old Royal Naval College is one of the most impressive and historically significant places to visit in Greenwich. The architecture is absolutely stunning, and the whole site feels grand, elegant and beautifully preserved. Walking through the grounds, with the River Thames on one side and the magnificent buildings surrounding you, is a memorable experience in itself. The highlight for me was the Painted Hall, which is breathtaking. The ceiling and wall paintings are incredibly detailed, and it is difficult to appreciate their scale until you see them in person. There is so much to look at, and the information provided helps explain the meaning and history behind the artwork. It is definitely worth taking your time rather than rushing through. The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul is also beautiful, with an impressive interior and a peaceful atmosphere. The wider grounds are spacious and very pleasant to explore, with plenty of excellent photography opportunities. The location is perfect for combining with other Greenwich attractions, including the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market, the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Park. The staff were welcoming and helpful, and the site was clean, organised and well maintained. Even those who are not normally interested in history will probably enjoy the architecture, artwork and riverside setting. A fantastic London landmark and an essential stop when visiting Greenwich. Allow enough time to properly explore the buildings and grounds, especially the Painted Hall. Highly recommended.
Very informative experience! The painted hall provides a portable audio/video guide that offers very detailed information about each section of the painting, lots of info! You can even lie down, look up, and listen to these stories. Ticket holders can access four areas: the painted hall, the bowing alley (I forget the official name), the church, and the information centre with a history exhibition. The hall was a bit hot during the summer, even though they provided some fans, but they were not sufficient.
I love this place and keep returning with family members and friends for a slightly alternative experience to typical London tourist spots. Their free tours are pretty good (can be very dependent on the guide) but the venue itself is SO impressive, I love going there to stare at the ceiling and walls.
Old Royal Naval College is an absolutely stunning historic site in Greenwich. Even just visiting the outside is already very impressive, with magnificent architecture, grand buildings, and beautifully designed open spaces. The area by the River Thames adds even more charm, making it a perfect place for a relaxing walk and taking photos. The whole atmosphere feels elegant and peaceful. A must-visit spot in Greenwich, even if you only explore the exterior.
We visited the Painted Hall for an event celebrating its 300th anniversary. Its majestic architecture and paintings were truly impressive, and theatrical dances and Tudor-era music added to the atmosphere.🙏👍
Amazing historical series of buildings set on the banks of the Thames in Greenwich, just down the hill from the Observatory. Lots of open spaces to sit and admire the views. Lots of facilities - pubs, gift shop, gin distillery Experience and a lovely cafe, perfect for afternoon or high tea. The Painted Hall is magnificent and breathtaking. You can spend a lot of time in there with a guide going through the significance of the paintings. I loved the skittle alley downstairs too. Well worth a visit and plenty to do and see nearby. Easy access to the city, train and Thames clipper. If you have time visit the Cutty Sark too
Walking through this place feels like stepping onto a movie set. It is breathtaking to see such a majestic architectural complex being used today by the University of Greenwich and the Trinity Laban Conservatoire. The design by Sir Christopher Wren is imposing, and the atmosphere is filled with history and art at every turn. If you are in Greenwich, this is an absolute must-visit. Make sure to check out the Painted Hall often called the "Sistine Chapel of the UK" it is truly spectacular. I also highly recommend taking a walk around the grounds to soak in the views. It is easily one of the most beautiful and iconic spots in London!
Went on a Saturday morning the other weekend. Wasn't too busy, which was great for taking photos, there was a tour going on in the Painted hall too so it was nice to learn so much about it!
Customer service on another level !!! Zoe and Nicholas excelled themselves today. I lost my e mail from Musements ( a booking service ) and Zoe and Nicholas spent 1/2 hour trying to sort out my mistake to enable me to visit the Painted Hall with repeated calls to Musements eventually finding my voucher and the visit proceeded albeit a little later. Nothing was too much trouble - a credit to you both thank you - Oh i nearly forgot the Naval College was fabulous and the Painted Hall was breathtaking - great day out 😎
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
The grounds stand over Greenwich Palace, birthplace of Henry VIII and his daughters Mary I and Elizabeth I.
In 2017 archaeologists uncovered two Tudor service rooms beneath the Painted Hall, including internal 'bee boles' thought to have housed skeps during winter — a rare indoor survival.
The Painted Hall served as the National Gallery of Naval Art from 1824 until 1936, and it opened a few months before the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.
The chapel was gutted by fire in 1779 and rebuilt by James 'Athenian' Stuart with nautical motifs intended to make Greenwich Pensioners feel at home.
Christopher Wren worked on Greenwich Hospital for 23 years without charging a fee.
Similar Attractions
Nearby Places
Old Royal Naval College
1 min 👣
Greenwich Visitor Centre
2 min 👣
Cutty Sark Museum
3 min 👣
National Maritime Museum
3 min 👣
Queen's House
3 min 👣
Fan Museum
5 min 👣
Royal Observatory Greenwich
10 min 👣
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
10 min 👣
Ranger's House (Wernher Collection)
14 min 👣
Art in Perpetuity Trust
15 min 👣