The Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, home of the Painted Hall

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.

The Painted Hall, Chapel and Visitor Centre are open daily, 10 am–5 pm.
The grounds are open daily 8 am–11 pm.

Please note the following Painted Hall closures and notices:

03/06/2023 - closing at 4:00 pm
29/07/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
05/08/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
02/09/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
16/09/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
23/09/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
29/09/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
07/10/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
09/10/2023 - closing at 3:00 pm
10/10/2023 - closed all-day
21/10/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
18/11/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
02/12/2023 - closing at 3:30 pm
24-26/12/2023 - fully closed

All opening times are subject to change. Please check before visiting.

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.

A cast of over 200 fascinating characters is 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, with a fascinating insight into the lives of the Greenwich Pensioners who inhabited the site.

Hear all about the history and architecture of the site, from its early years as a Tudor Palace where Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were born; to the Royal Hospital for Seamen, the masterpiece you see today built by Sir Christopher Wren, and much, much more.

Meet at the Visitor Centre to join a 45-minute tour of the spectacular grounds. The tour leaves daily at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm.