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The Great Britain Guide

Museums · London

Old Royal Naval College

In or near City of London.

Tudor & StuartPaid admission♿ Wheelchair accessible4.7 · 5,599 Google reviews£££

Old Royal Naval College — architectural landmark in Greenwich, London and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Old Royal Naval College, museums in London

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
1.5 h–3 h
Best time of year
Year-round
Nearest railway station
Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich · 0.4 km
  • Paid entry
  • Family-friendly
  • Wheelchair accessible

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit the Old Royal Naval College, the nearest railway station is Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, located 0.4 km away. Entry is paid, and the site is wheelchair accessible. The postcode for sat-nav is SE10 9NN.

Directions on Google Maps →

About

Old Royal Naval College is a museum in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1696. Designed by Christopher Wren. Built in the English Baroque style. Heritage designation: Grade I listed building. Address: SE10 9NN. Wikidata describes it as: "architectural landmark in Greenwich, London and UNESCO World Heritage Site". Coordinates: 51.4837°, -0.0059°.

Photo gallery

Summary from the official site

The Old Royal Naval College is a cultural destination located in the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the Painted Hall, known for its stunning Baroque interior, and take exclusive tours of the Chapel Dome.

Read more on the official property page.

From the Wikipedia article

The Old Royal Naval College are buildings that serve as the architectural centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, a World Heritage Site in Greenwich, London on the River Thames. Described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as being of "outstanding universal value" and the site is reckoned to be the "finest and most dramatically sited architectural and landscape ensemble in the British Isles". Formerly the site of a royal palace, the old college was originally constructed to serve as the Royal Navy's Greenwich Hospital, designed by Christopher Wren, and built between 1696 and 1712. The hospital closed in 1869 and so between 1873 and 1998 the buildings were used as a training establishment for the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Wren incorporated the older Queen's House into the layout design, particularly in maintaining the long axial view for the House to the river. The site is now managed by the Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College, established in 1997 to conserve the buildings and grounds and convert them into a cultural destination.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

This was originally the site of Bella Court, built by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and subsequently renamed Palace of Placentia by Queen Margaret upon its confiscation by the Crown in the 15th century. Rebuilt by Henry VII, it was thenceforth more commonly known as Greenwich Palace. As such, it was the birthplace of Tudor monarchs Henry VIII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, and reputedly the favourite palace of Henry VIII. The palace fell into disrepair during the English Civil War. With the exception of a then incomplete John Webb building, the palace was finally demolished in 1694, with the Webb building being completed and converted to use by the hospital.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
51.4837, -0.0059
District
Greenwich
Parish
Greenwich, unparished area
Postcode
SE10 9NN
Parliamentary constituency
Greenwich and Woolwich
Established
1696
Nearest railway station
Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich0.4 km
Opening
Daily 10am–5pm; grounds open daily 8am–11pm
Official site
www.ornc.org

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Old Royal Naval College?
Old Royal Naval College is in London, United Kingdom (postcode SE10 9NN), in the parish of Greenwich, unparished area.
What is Old Royal Naval College?
Old Royal Naval College — architectural landmark in Greenwich, London and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How do I get to Old Royal Naval College?
The nearest railway station is Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode SE10 9NN.
When was Old Royal Naval College built?
Built or established in 1696. Designed by Christopher Wren.
Is Old Royal Naval College a listed building?
Old Royal Naval College is officially recognised as Grade I listed building listed.
How do I get to Old Royal Naval College?
The nearest railway station is Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode SE10 9NN.