Greenwich Travel Forum

hi London/Greenwich experts,

Quick question:

I'm taking a 3 day trip to London in a week and a half. My traveling companion, a geographer, really wants to go to Greenwich, mainly to see the Prime Meridian. Honestly, after reading about the place, I'm not too interested in the sites there (and had no desire to go my previous 2 trips to London), esp. for such a short trip. Anyway, I'm wondering:

Is it worth going to Greenwich just for the Prime Meridian?

And, one more question: is it possible to get there by Tube, w/o transferring to bus or commuter train line? (I've read conflicting things on this.) And, approx how long would this take from the Kensington area?

Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Ellen

the Prime Meridian is basically a line drawn over a park - nothing much to see. The Observatory istelf is a wonderful building.

There are many other things to see in Greenwich - the Maritime Museum is excellent, there is also the Cutty Sark and a decent market .

There is no tube connection to Greenwich, but the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) connects there from either Bank Station or Tower Gateway (near Tower Bridge Tube) - have a look at my pages for details. If you get a travelcard, it is valid on the DLR.

Hope this helps.

We took one of the tour boats and there are some interesting sights along the way. I would recommend it. We enjoyed both the trip and Greenwich. There are some interesting shops in Greenwich.

Hello:
Just to see the PM? I'd say no. But to take in the Museum of Naval History, the Observatory, the Queen's House, the Cutty Sark and the Moth anchored along the riverside, to walk through the royal parklands and enjoy exploring the little shops tucked into the side streets? ABSOLUTELY! Last year I spent 1 day in Greenwich and regretted not having time to stay the weekend.

Thanks for all of these great (and timely) responses!

I know that there are other sites to see in Greenwich, and, while I haven't read up on them in depth, I'm honestly not sure how interested I am in them. (We decided to take this trip a few weeks ago, when we were on some art outings, and just about everything reminded me of something I had seen in prior trips to London.) Also, if we do go to Greenwich, it'll be on Sat., Mar 5, and I think it'll probably be too nasty and cold to walk around in the lovely park....

but, is this something that's worth doing for, say, half a day? (and adding in more than just the PM; but, please, don't underestimate how exciting seeing a line drawn in a park would be to a geographer!)

Anyway, thanks again. I'll keep you posted on what I end up doing....

Well, if you've never walked under the Thames before, that could be an interesting experience. If you're not into the museums, what else would you enjoy exploring?

I'm far too claustrophobic to walk under the Thames...although Mr. Geographer would probably adore it! (People always ask me how I manage to take the DC metro every day to work, but somehow I'm used to that sort of claustrophibic experience!)

Basically, I see the London trip as doing a lot of art related stuff, most notably the Nat'l Gallery, Sir John Soane's, Dennis Severs House, and eating my way through the Borough Market. We're most likely taking in one or both Tates, and the Dulwich and/or Wallace Collection... and then I will be competely "museumed out."

Since I've been to London before, I don't feel a tremendous need to see the big sights. But, I've been told that I can just grab the #7 or #11 bus and ride around the city to look at landmarks.

I did hear that there was a great market in Greenwich on Saturdays, though.. .

Hi Ellen

Honestly, I really would recommend a visit to Greenwich. There is so much there to see and do. I'll admit that some of it is a bit touristy (particularly around the market), but the main heritage sites - the Observatory, Queen's House, Maritime Museum, Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark etc. are all well presented, and provide a fanastic insight into Britain's maritime history.

And then there is the fantastic park and riverside setting - with the amazing view from the top of the hill. The park is very popular with South Londoners, and gets quite busy on a warm summer day. And Blackheath - where people go to fly kites - is one of the few open spaces in London that actually feels "open".

There are some great pubs and restaurants in Greenwich too. We live about a mile from Greenwich, and often go there just to wander around the shops, walk in the park, visit the museums, or just go for a drink.

You can easily get to Greenwich on the DLR from Bank station (train to Lewisham), and you get to see some of Docklands on the way, as the train goes mostly on elevated tracks over the docks and between the skyscrapers at Canary Wharf. From South Kensington, you would need to take the District Line to Monument and then change there for the DLR from Bank to Cutty Sark Gardens - probably about an hour in all. Of course, you could get a bus (188 from Euston, Aldwych, Waterloo, or Tower Bridge) and see some of the real London!

Enjoy your visit.

Regards

Andrew

Actually, the tiled tunnel under the Thames is fairly wide and quite well lit -- far less gloomy than the DC metro! Maybe you could consider doing a spot of phobia-therapy as part of the holiday...? Since you are in hot pursuit of art, the Queen's House does contain a few interesting pieces - although its reason-for-existence is mainly architectural. However, the bookshops and antiqueries in the area might be of interest. And if you have never been before, Greenwish is certainly worth a Look-See. Have fun!

This is all such great info, and such strong endorsements that it would be difficult NOT to go!

Thanks, again, everyone!

BTW, Andrew, where would you recommend we eat/drink far from the maddening crowds?

If you want to walk a little way out of Greenwich (about fifteen minutes from the centre) there was a place called the North Pole in Greenwich High Street. It is a "gastro-pub" and not particularly cheap, but it used to be very good, and recent reviews would seem to confirm this. The manager used to be a French guy called Olivier, who was an excellent chef (and not a bad sax player incidentally!).

If you are into art, don't forget the Painted Hall in the Royal Naval College (BTW - not in Greenwich, but there is the Turner, Whistler, Monet exhibition at Tate Britain at the moment).

If you want to eat in Greenwich, the best place is probably the Spread Eagle - a 17th century coaching inn. Excellent French/International cooking with an English touch. No crowds here, as it is tucked away round a back street, and also quite expensive, but worth it!

Andrew

ARRRGGGGH! Two responses with "not particularily cheap" in them....keep in mind that in GWB's America, everything costs us close to double when we head across The Pond. (I'm just thankful that I had enough Hilton pts left after booking hotels for another trip to have two free nights at the Hilton Kensington.)

Thanks, though, for the suggestions....perhaps these places are worthy of a splurge!

the Spread Eagle is excellent. that was where Olivier was the chef before he went to manage the North Pole.

Ellie, there are certainly cheaper options in /greenwich including a coulple of decent chinese / Vietnamese reataurants near between the market and the Park. there also used to be a decent and not too expensive Mexican there. If all else fails, there is a good fish and chip shop as well.

Thanks again....do you have any names for these decent ethnic places....or any stalls/stands in the market for good cheap eats?

There's an excellent Noodle House called Tai Won Mein, 39 Greenwich Church Street - just as you come out of the DLR station. Choose between rice, soup of various friend noodles (about 50 choices) all for under a fiver. Good-quality fast-food place but gets very busy at weekends. Decor is functional and minimalist. We eat there every visit to London.
Don't know when you're going to be in London but there is a French market in the park near the Cutty Sark on weekends during the summer at least, may be also in spring, maybe also all year.
You definitely should not give Greenwich a miss. In addition to the other museums, there's also the Ranger's House and the Fan Museum. Some superb maritime paintings in the Maritime Museum.

I live very near Greenwich - the first time i walked over the hill saw Blackheath and then walked through Greenwich park i just went 'wow' and wanted to live nearby.
If you plaln it for a weekend when the market is on (it is mainly a craft market with other things like books or second hand clothes or organic food going on nearby - the french market doesn't seem to be on every weekend), take a river trip to it, go for something to eat (there are places for all budgets and the previous recommendations are good - there are also two good thai places and a place called Bar du musee which we go to cos it is quite atmospheric) ; the museums are interesting even for people who i less keen on museums, i think - the maritime museum is well laid out with interesting displays - the museum in the old observtory is a very pretty building, possibly of less interest if you are not a big museum person . If you want to stay for the evening there is a good comedy/caberet club in creeK Rd. If you don't like the river trip the docklands light railway is really intersting way of getting there.

Yes, the DLR way is very interesting, going through all the new buildings, etc. area. Also, therre is a great view down the Thames, as well.

Are you aware of the fact that Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage site?:

http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=795

I would definately go there! OK, I used to be a complete anglophile and went to the Maritime museum to see Nelson's blood stained trousers when I lived in London :))) and moreover I am a human geographer...but even apart from that, it's a lovely place. It ooozes European history and the river life is great.

No, I wasn't aware that it was an UNESCO site. And, with all these overwhelming positive responses, I don't know how I could possibly miss it. I mean, it's pretty rare to find this kind of overwhelming positive endorsement of anything....and, here I've asked about a place that I was just sure someone would say something like, "it's nice, but you'd be better off spending your very limited time in central London, etc."

I won't be there to see Nelson's bloodstained pants, but if I do come across them, I'll keep in mind that they were a "must see" for a fellow VTer!

Again, thanks everyone. This site never, ever ceases to amaze me (in a good way, of course)!

No, I wasn't aware that it was an UNESCO site. And, with all these overwhelming positive responses, I don't know how I could possibly miss it. I mean, it's pretty rare to find this kind of overwhelming positive endorsement of anything....and, here I've asked about a place that I was just sure someone would say something like, "it's nice, but you'd be better off spending your very limited time in central London, etc."

I won't be there to see Nelson's bloodstained pants, but if I do come across them, I'll keep in mind that they were a "must see" for a fellow VTer!

Again, thanks everyone. This site never, ever ceases to amaze me (in a good way, of course)!

:))) I've calmed down since then. Living with an English northerner makes you see Nelson in a more sobering light...

There are some things that do annoy me about Greenwhich. The great draw is the park and maritime museam and it attracts a lot of tourists. The rents are high and some of the shops seem to specialise in expensive, tacky souvenirs. Its saving grace is the Market, both the covered handicaft market and the open air antiques market. The big day is a Sunday, Saturday is much quieter.

The big sailing ship in a dry dock, the Cutty Sark, is worth a look (when it is not closed for repairs. Also take a walk along the Thames, there is a path along heading East leading to the old Trafalgar pub, which is a popular watering hole where you can sit with your beer watching the river.

The North Pole, is indeed a fine restaurant, their Sunday lunch is excellent. The unltra trendy bar on the ground floor is quite a contrast to elegant restaurant upstairs. But for a more modest expeniture, try the pubs on Royal Hill, the Greenwich Union is gets its beer from a micro brewery and does fine food. It does get busy on a Sunday, so get their early if you want to eat.

Personally, unless you are seriously into ships, the maritime museum is a bit of a bore. But climbing the hill in Greewhich park to the observatory is a must. Take a pair on binoculars, the view over London is worth it. Greewich Park is very beautiful on a fine day, it is very large and has magnificient flower gardens. In the summer it is full of families picnicing (that is by far the cheapest option)

There are two ways to get to Greenwich from the Centre: either by overground train from Charing Cross, Waterloo East or London Bridge stations. It is only a couple of stops and the journey takes about 10minutes. Or take the tube to Bank or Tower Gateway and take the Docklands Light railway. This is like one of those shuttle trains that connect terminals at big airports. The jounrney to Greenwhich takes you through the Carnary Wharf Dockland business district and under to Thames to Greewhich. It winds between the docks and the new skyscapers and takes about 30 minutes, it is all pretty photogenic.

Greenwhich is nice day out, I just wish they would hurry up and finish refurbishing the repartory cinema.