Greenwich is a quaint village area of London just downriver from central London. It is most famous for its maritime history and as home to the Royal Observatory. Located at zero degrees of longitude, all the world's time zones begin here with Greenwich Mean Time. Greenwich was also once a fashionable 17th century retreat from London and there is much grand architecture to be seen including the magnificent Observatory, the Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum.
A 15th-century royal palace, at one time home to Henry VIII and birthplace of Elizabeth I, it was rebuilt in the 18th century and is now the Old Royal Naval College. Don't miss the Painted Hall which took 19 years to complete.
One of the best ways to get to Greenwich is by river boat trip down the Thames. Otherwise it is reached by DLR lightrail to Cutty Sark station, or train from Charing Cross to Greenwich. Even if maritime history is not your thing, Greenwich is worth visiting for its elegance, architecture and Greenwich Park. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The world's last remaining tea clipper ship, the famous Cutty Sark is not currently open to the public after a fire. It will reopen, fully restored in 2011.
