Evan Evans
The Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, home of the Painted Hall
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90 mins
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Moderate
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Non-guided
Discover London’s best-kept secret, right in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a tour of this magnificent 17-acre riverside estate and marvel at Sir Christopher Wren’s spectacular architecture. The stunning buildings and extensive grounds tell 600 years of remarkable history, including an incredible cast of monarchs and famous British figures, from Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson.
Visit ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’, Sir James Thornhill’s breath-taking Baroque Painted Hall and its neighbour, the glorious Chapel of St Peter and Paul. Escape the crowds and discover 40,000 square feet of awe-inspiring painted walls and ceilings. Named “the most popular filming location in the world” by Empire Magazine, the Old Royal Naval College is the setting for hundreds of blockbuster films and TV series, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Les Misérables, The Crown and Bridgerton.
- Venue address
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The Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, London, UK
Getting to the Old Royal Naval College is easy, whether by bus, train, DLR, river or coach. Located next to the Ferry Stop with regular shuttle services into London, in the heart of Greenwich and adjacent to the Cutty Sark & Maritime Museum.
- See the reopened Nelson Room
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The unique architecture of the Nelson Room has been carefully conserved, including its imposing roof lantern, monumental stonework, and Swedish marble flooring – the marble flagstones were selected by Sir Christopher Wren himself.
A ‘Pepper’s Ghost’ display illuminates Nelson’s lying-in-state. At the same time, a bronze sculpture called Breaking the Line, by Antony Dufort, pays tribute to the many sailors who fought at Trafalgar and later became ‘Greenwich Pensioners’ at the Royal Hospital for Seamen.
- '600 Years of History' Tours
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Take a tour of this magnificent 17-acre riverside estate in the heart of the Greenwich Maritime UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tickets include access to the breath-taking Painted Hall, which took 19 years to Paint, known and ‘the UK’s Sistine Chapel’.
Your visit includes the award-winning site tour, during which you’ll learn about the fascinating 600-year story of this site, including its birthplace of Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.
Meet at the Visitor Centre for a 45-minute tour of the spectacular grounds. The tour leaves daily at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm (and finishes at the entrance to the Painted Hall).
- Painted Hall Talks
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Over 200 fascinating characters are assembled on the ceiling and walls of the Painted Hall. Join one of our experts for a 30-minute talk explaining the history and stories behind the painting.
Talks run regularly between 11 am and 4 pm. Gather at the meeting point in the Painted Hall Vestibule to join the next talk.
Painted Hall tickets also include entry to the Chapel and Skittle Alley, a rare example of an early Skittle alley that offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Greenwich Pensioners who inhabited the site.
- Opening hours
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Please note the following upcoming Painted Hall closures and notices:
- Friday 22 November – full closure
- Thursday 12 December – early closure at 4pm
- Tuesday 24 December – Thursday 26 December – all-day
- Wednesday 29 January 2025 – full closure
The Chapel will close:
- Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November – all-day
All opening times are subject to change. Please check before visiting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Painted Hall, Chapel and Visitor Centre: open daily, 10 am - 5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
- Grounds are open daily, 8 am -11 pm
- Average visit time: 75-90 minutes
- All dates are subject to availability, and the supplier reserves the right to alter its opening hours at short notice. Please check before visiting
- Multimedia guides for the Painted Hall are included - available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese Mandarin, German and Japanese
- Meet at the Visitor Centre to join a 45-minute ‘500 years of History’ tour, included in your ticket price (subject to availability). The tour leaves at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3pm
- The Skittle Alley is open daily 12 pm-3 pm
Highlights
- Join tours to uncover the story of this magnificent 17-acre riverside estate
- Explore the breath-taking 17th century Painted Hall known as ‘the UK’s Sistine Chapel’
- See the refurbished Nelson room where Nelson laid in state after the Battle of Trafalgar
- Glimpse at the remains of Greenwich Palace
- Try your hand at one of the last remaining Victorian Skittle Alleys
- Marvel at Sir Christopher Wren’s spectacular architecture, featured in many Film & TV productions
What's Included
Entry to the Painted Hall, Chapel, and Victorian Skittle Alley
Multimedia guide (available in 7 languages)
Join a '600 years of History’ tour and a Painted Hall talk with expert guide
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