Royal Observatory Greenwich Tickets

Stand on the Prime Meridian

Your Royal Observatory Greenwich tickets allow you to explore the home of the Greenwich Mean Time. Revel in the feeling of standing on the Prime Meridien, the line that splits the Earth into the eastern and western hemispheres. This is an excellent place to grab a photograph of yourself! Take the opportunity to learn about the story behind the Greenwich Mean Time from your multilingual audio guide. You can also choose to upgrade your tickets to the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass which allows you to access the Observatory, the famous Cutty Sark ship, the National Maritime Museum, and Queen's House.

The icons of Greenwich

Learn more about the ingenious clocks made by John Harrison to help sailors determine their longitude at sea, drastically reducing the danger of ships, crew, and cargo being lost to the waters. The clocks themselves look incredibly sophisticated and beautiful. There are four versions of the clocks, H1 to H4, the H1 having been released in 1735. Along with others, it was widely heralded as a great milestone in the history of clock-making. Take the chance to stand beneath the Great Equatorial Telescope, a 28-inch refracting telescope that is the largest of its kind in the UK. Originally designed for astrophotography, it has become indispensable for the observatory's research into double stars. Don't miss out on seeing the telescope's distinct "onion roof" when you look up at the Royal Observatory.

Royal Observatory Greenwich Tickets

Discover the Royal Observatory Greenwich on this sightseeing tour that includes access to over 45 exhibits, interactive displays, and guided audio tours in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. The tour duration is approximately three hours, allowing you to explore the historic site with ease. With wheelchair accessibility throughout, visitors of all ages can enjoy this landmark located on the banks of the River Thames. Key highlights include straddling the Prime Meridian Line, viewing antique clocks and telescopes, and catching the Time Ball drop at 1pm daily since 1833. The Royal Observatory covers an area of 25 acres, with over 10,000 objects in its collection dating back to the early 17th century.

Explore Ancient Telescopes and Antique Clocks

Your tour stops at the Royal Observatory Greenwich where you can explore ancient telescopes and antique clocks from the past four centuries. Established in 1675, this observatory is a world-renowned institution that has been instrumental in timekeeping and astronomy for over three centuries. The site encompasses an area of 25 acres with numerous historic buildings including Flamsteed House, built between 1675 and 1676 by Sir Christopher Wren. Visitors can spend approximately one hour here viewing over a dozen antique clocks and telescopes, each telling its own unique story. This observatory stands out from other sites due to its historical significance in setting global time standards and its role in the development of modern astronomy.

Straddle the Prime Meridian Line

At the Royal Observatory Greenwich, guests can straddle the Prime Meridian Line, a historic site that marks zero degrees longitude. This iconic line was established in 1851 when the International Meridian Conference adopted it as the global standard for timekeeping and navigation. Visitors often spend about half an hour here taking photos and learning about its importance through multilingual audio guides available in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. The Prime Meridian Line is unique compared to other landmarks because it serves as a physical representation of the global coordinate system used worldwide.

Witness the Time Ball Drop

Your tour takes you to the Royal Observatory Greenwich where you can witness the historic Time Ball drop at 1pm daily, a tradition that has continued since 1833. This ball, which is approximately two meters in diameter and weighs over 200 kilograms, was originally used to signal time to ships in the River Thames. Visitors typically spend around 15 minutes here watching this spectacle and learning about its historical significance through multilingual audio guides available in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. The Time Ball drop is unique compared to other landmarks because it represents one of the earliest methods for time synchronization across maritime navigation.

Enhance Your Trip with Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass

Your tour stops at the Royal Observatory Greenwich where you can enhance your experience by upgrading to the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. This pass grants access to four major attractions including the Observatory, Cutty Sark, Queen's House, and National Maritime Museum for a single fee of £25 per adult and £14 per child. The pass is valid for one day and includes audio guides in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Visitors can spend approximately three hours exploring each attraction, making the most out of their visit to this historic site.

Tour Highlights

• Stargazing through ancient telescopes at Royal Observatory Greenwich
• Timekeeping of antique clocks since 1675 at Flamsteed House
• Straddling the Prime Meridian Line established in 1851
• Witnessing the Time Ball drop daily since 1833
• Upgrading to Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass for £25 per adult
• Exploring Cutty Sark and Queen's House with audio guides in six languages
• Learning about global time standards at Royal Observatory Greenwich
• Visiting National Maritime Museum alongside other attractions

Perfect for history enthusiasts, astronomy buffs, and families, this guided tour provides a comprehensive exploration of London’s rich historical landmarks. The three-hour format allows you to delve into the intricate details of ancient telescopes and antique clocks at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, straddle the Prime Meridian Line, witness the Time Ball drop, and enhance your experience with the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. This tour offers unparalleled insight into the importance of these sites in shaping our understanding of timekeeping and navigation.