A Guide To Greenwich South London

Picturesque Greenwich, on the southeast banks of the River Thames, is a historic borough that lends its name to Greenwich Mean Time. With independent boutiques, old-fashioned pubs and a famous central market, it has a small-village vibe that feels worlds away from London proper.

Leafy Greenwich has played a significant role in Britain’s royal history, particularly during the Tudor era, where it was the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Relics of the neighbourhood’s regal past are waiting to be discovered on nearly every corner. On the site of a former royal palace is the Old Royal Naval College, a Baroque masterpiece by illustrious London architect Sir Christopher Wren, recognisable for its twin domes, Painted Hall and Neoclassical chapel.

The Neoclassical chapel at the Old Royal Naval College is open daily

The Old Royal Naval College is part of a collection of buildings that form the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, alongside the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark, a 19th-century clipper ship that’s now a permanent visitor attraction. A handful of contemporary structures, such as the domed O2 Arena and the multifaceted Optic Cloak flue, have joined Greenwich’s Classical and Medieval buildings to make the borough worth visiting for its architectural treasures alone.

The Royal Observatory is a popular Greenwich attraction

Dotted around the park and along the banks of the Thames are a number of traditional pubs, some dating back as far as the 17th century. A legendary pie and mash shop, lots of quirky cafés and a diner that specialises in gourmet sausages are among the staples of Greenwich’s restaurant scene. The borough’s famous namesake market has many food stalls serving up innovative global cuisine, alongside stalls selling antiques, art and homeware.

The historic Greenwich Market serves up global cuisine, art and antiques

From red-brick Georgian hotels to contemporary suites, there are some lovely places to stay in the area. Though Greenwich is served by the Tube and DLR, a much more exciting way to access the borough is by soaring over the Thames on the Emirates Air Line from East London or taking in Big Ben, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral on a riverboat from Westminster.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.