Greenwich Nautical Walk:
This walk begins and ends at Greenwich Pier.
On arrival at Greenwich Pier, head along the river front towards the dome-topped building on your right
Greenwich Foot Tunnel The Greenwich Foot Tunnel was built in 1899 for the dockers who worked and lived on different sides of the Thames.
The circular entrance buildings are similar both sides of the river and contain a lift and a long spiral flight of stairs. The tunnel is a convenient link between Greenwich town centre on the southern side and Island Gardens on the north, a park on the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs.
It connects Greenwich in the south with the Isle of Dogs in the north (and hence with the rest of London's Docklands area, including Canary Wharf).
It is open to the public 24 hours but the lifts only run from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays, 10am-5.30pm on Sundays, with no service on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
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Millennium Dome: Across the river, you can see the Millennium Dome, which was the focal point of Britain's new year celebrations in 1999 / 2000. The World's biggest dome was built on the Meridian Line (The Prime Meridian of the World) in Greenwich to celebrate this historic event.
The Dome structure is the largest domed structure in the world. Externally it appears as a large white marquee with twelve 100 m-high yellow support towers, one for each month of the year, or each hour of the clock face, representing the role played by Greenwich Mean Time.
Public support for the Dome was mixed. Though some people felt that the amount spent on it (over £758 million) could have been better spent on public services such as hospitals, others were pleased it was built as it brought prosperity to a deprived part of London.
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Turn towards the town centre and stop beside the Cutty Sark ship
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Cutty Sark :
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship. Built in 1869, she served as a merchant vessel (the last clipper to be built for that purpose). It has been in dry dock since 1954.
It was damaged in a fire on 21 May 2007 while undergoing extensive restoration.
Walk past Cutty Sark, along Greenwich Church Street and turn left down Turnpin Lane into Greenwich Market
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Greenwich Market :
This market has been around at Greenwich since the 14th century, but the history of the present market dates from 1700 when a charter to run two markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, was assigned by Lord Romney to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital for 1000 years.
The buildings in Turnpin Lane date from the early 1800's. Today, Greenwich Market trades five days a week but the shops, cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants around the Market are open seven days a week. Wednesday is a food and homewares market day, Thursdays and Fridays specialise in antiques and collectables and arts and crafts. Weekends and bank holidays attract arts & crafts and food stalls. |
Exit the market into Nelson Road, and turn left along King William Walk. Enter Greenwich park and walk up the hill.
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Greenwich Park: is a former hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest single green spaces in south east London. Greenwich is the oldest enclosed Royal Park and home to a small herd of fallow and red deer..
There has been a settlement on this site since Roman times, but Greenwich will always be strongly associated with royalty. Since the land was inherited by Henry V's brother, generations of monarchs have taken this magnificient park to their hearts.
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Continue up the hill to the Old Royal Observatory. This is a rather long walk so walk leisurely and take your own time.
Royal Observatory:
The Greenwich Royal Observatory was established by King Charles II in 1675. Greenwich was chosen back in 1884 as the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero (0° 0' 0").
It's main purpose was to measure time, with the Greenwich Meridian being 0 degrees longitude (the Prime Meridian) - the place from which all time around the world is measured (as in "Greenwich Mean Time").
It is now no longer operational. Instead, it houses an impressive collection of all things astronomical, including old chronometers and telescopes.
Watch the red Time Ball on top of Flamsteed House drop at 1pm every day. At 12.55pm, the time ball rises half way up the mast reaching the top at 12.58pm. At 1pm exactly, the ball drops. As the ball can be seen from the passing ships very clearly, passing ships use this signal to check time. |
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Walk down the hill back towards the town centre and follow the signs to the National Maritime Museum. If you are tired from the walk up, look out for the bus service to take you down to the enerance of the park.
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National Maritime Museum : is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind. Its collection includes 2,500 ship models, 750,000 ship plans and hundreds of globes, chronometers and pieces of artwork depicting British seafaring.
Next to the museum is the Queens House, designed by Inigo Jones, Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor..
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Cross Romney Road and walk down Park Row until the corner with Crane Street.
The Trafalgar Tavern
The Trafalgar Tavern was built in 1837 and up until 1883 it held Ministerial "whitebait" dinners at the end of each session of Parliament. Famous visitors to the tavern include Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and William Gladstone.
Good place to eat fish and chips looking at the river.
Turn right along Crane Street and stop in front of the white building on the left : Trinity Hospital. |
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Trinity Hospital: was founded in 1613 by the Earl of Northampton to house 20 poor, retired men. His tomb is in the chapel.
If you wish to view the lovely gardens and building, you must arrange an appointment with the Warden.
Behind the hospital is Greenwich power station, built in 1906. It provides a reserve power supply for the London Underground.
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Return along the Thames Path to Greenwich Pier. |
