Royal Observatory
Visitor information
Location
Royal Observatory
Blackheath Avenue
Greenwich, SE10 8XJ
Transport
road | tube & rail | cycle | bus | river
Hours
The Royal Observatory is open daily, 10.00–17.00.
Last admission 16.30
Last planetarium show 16.00
Christmas: All three sites are closed 24–26 December, close at 15.00 on 31 December and open at 13.00 on 1 January.
Summer: Between 3 May–31 August, the Meridian courtyard and toilets remain open until 20.00.
Other: All three sites open late on the day of the London Marathon.
Planetarium
For info on show times, programme, cost and ages please see Planetarium shows
Booking
Book a show online
or contact Bookings:
bookings@nmm.ac.uk
How to find the Planetarium
Access to the planetarium is via the Astronomy Centre in the Royal Observatory South Building.
International Year of Astronomy
The International Year of Astronomy (IYA) is a year-long global celebration of astronomy and its contribution to society and culture.
Events highlights
- Greenwich Time Symposium, 21 Nov
- Harmony of the Spheres, 19–21 Nov
- Observing evenings, 24, 26, 27 Nov
- White Noise: An Electric Storm in Space, 28 Nov
Royal Observatory blog
Scenic attractions
Exhibitions & galleries
Unravel the mysteries of the universe in the new interactive Weller Astronomy Galleries.
The new galleries explore our need for accurate timekeeping and the role it plays in our everyday lives.
Best Tourism Experience 2009
Planning your visit
Guidebooks
- A Guide to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich (pp62, pb, £4.95)
Trails
Time on your hands (PDF, 2.2MB)
Floor plans
Royal Observatory (PDF, 0.6MB)
Audio guide
Our new on-site audio guide gives a fascinating insight into the history of the Observatory and the race to solve the longitude problem. In English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
Big questions answered podcast
Have you got a big question about astronomy?
The Big questions answered podcast would love to answer it - so call 020 8123 9911 to record your question, then listen in to hear if it's answered in the latest episode.
Astronomy Photographer of the Year
The winners have been announced – but what’s your favourite? Join the astrophoto group on Flickr to see all this year's amazing entries and tell us your top pick.
And you can now see all the photographs from this year's competition in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Royal Observatory.
Royal Observatory directory
Scenic attractions
Planetarium | Meridian Line | 28-inch telescope | Time Ball | Camera obscura
Galleries
Astronomy galleries | Time galleries | Telescopes display | Jem Finer: Longplayer
Events
Book planetarium shows | Book astronomy courses | View all events
Collections
Astronomical and navigational instruments
Astrolabes and quadrants | globes | sundials | telescopes | all astronomical instruments
Timekeeping
Astronomical regulators, precision clocks | chronometers, precision watches, timekeepers | domestic clocks and watches
Maps & charts
Subjects
Royal Observatory | Longitude | British Summer Time | Prime Meridian | Six Pips | Time Ball
People
John Harrison | Herschel family | Astronomers Royal | William Willett | Robert Hooke
Publications
Astronomers Royal | Astrolabes | British Scientific Instrument Makers | From Here to Infinity: Guide to Astronomy | Globes | Guide to the Royal Observatory | Harrison | Meridian Line | Ruth Bellville: The Greenwich Time Lady | Sundials | Time Restored: R.T. Gould
