by Dorothee Schröder
A Riverside Borough
Greenwich lies in south-east London on the banks of the River Thames and forms part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
A Royal Residence
From the 15th century onwards, the Palace of Placentia made Greenwich an important royal residence. Several English monarchs were associated with the palace, most notably the Tudors, including Henry VIII and his daughters Mary I and Elizabeth I.
Royal Legends in the Park
Greenwich Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks, still holds the remains of a fallen tree known as Queen Elizabeth’s Oak. According to tradition, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn danced around the tree, while their daughter, the future Elizabeth I, later played and picnicked beneath its branches.
The Royal Observatory
Founded in 1675, the Royal Observatory was established to improve navigation at sea through the study of astronomy. It played a crucial role in Britain’s maritime history.
The Prime Meridian
Greenwich is globally known for the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory. Since the late 19th century, this line set the standard for world timekeeping and continues to symbolise the division of the eastern and western hemispheres.
The Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark was one of the last and fastest tea clippers ever built. After serving as a cadet training ship between 1938 and 1954, she was brought to Greenwich, where she remains on public display.
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. Its extensive collections explore Britain’s naval history and global seafaring heritage.
The Old Royal Naval College
Built on the site of the former Palace of Placentia and designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the Old Royal Naval College has served as the Royal Navy’s Greenwich Hospital and later as a naval college. Its baroque architecture is among the finest in London.
Greenwich Market
The market dates back to 1700. Once a traditional produce market, it is now a lively covered space offering crafts, design, art and international street food.
The University of Greenwich
With its main campus at the Old Royal Naval College, the University of Greenwich brings students and scholarship into a setting shaped by monarchy, science and maritime history.
Cover picture: The Old Royal Naval College (Photographer: Dorothee Schröder)
