Greenwich

The London Borough of Greenwich lies on the south bank of the Thames, approximately five miles to the east of central London. Rich in maritime history, Greenwich also has an outstanding architectural heritage. Many of its buildings are designed by well known English architects, including the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Old Royal Observatory, built by Sir Christopher Wren for King Charles II. At the Old Royal Observatory, visitors can stand astride longitude zero with one foot in the eastern and the other in the western hemisphere. The borough enjoys many royal connections and within its boundaries are two former Royal Palaces and two royal dockyards. Additional visitor attractions include Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark - the oldest surviving tea and wool clipper, the Fan Museum - with the world's finest collection of fans - and the Thames Barrier, the world's largest moveable flood barrier. Greenwich can be reached in 15 minutes by train from central London, or via a leisurely 45 minute cruise from Westminster/Charing Cross Piers. Alternatively, visitors can walk under the Thames through the Greenwich foot tunnel, after arriving at Island Gardens on the Docklands Light Railway from Tower Gateway or Bank stations.

NOTE: the Cutty Sark is closed for refurbishment until 2009.