Monuments and Memorials
75–90 minutes
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
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₹1,568.31
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Old Royal Naval College
Old Royal Naval College
4.5
Architectural Buildings • Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours • History Museums • Churches & Cathedrals
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
The Old Royal Naval College is Sir Christopher Wren's riverside masterpiece and one of London's most popular attractions. It is home to the Painted Hall, which boasts one of the most spectacular Baroque interiors in Europe. The iconic buildings stand on the site of Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII's birthplace and favourite royal residence, and today are alive with learning, creativity, music and arts festivals. Entry includes guided tour to the estate that run regularly every day.
London, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2022
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Old Royal Naval College
City Tours
1 hour
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
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₹1,557.86
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Walking Tours
1 hour
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 100% of travellers
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from
₹1,568.31
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Full-day Tours
6+ hours
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
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₹10,873.65
per adult
Day Trips
6–7 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 100% of travellers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
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₹20,388.09
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Travellers talk about
(856 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,678 reviews
Excellent
2,095
Very good
477
Average
59
Poor
11
Terrible
36
michaelmasdaisy
London, UK28 contributions
I was disgusted to see that although serving Navy personnel get in free, veterans have to pay and just get a discount! How incredibly disrespectful, ungrateful and disgusting. What exactly do you have to do for this country to be allowed in free to a building that was originally built specifically FOR NAVAL VETERANS? Imagine that in France or the US! I can't believe that they get so many veterans visiting that making it free would seriously harm their revenue, its the principle. I would not pay and walked out and I suggest you do too.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margot
1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
The Painted Hall is a great piece of art, worth the visit! Thanks to our super tour guide Jim who offered a private tour to us, we learnt a lot of interesting facts and anecdotes about the Painted Hall and all the Greenwich buildings. Thank you, we’ll definitely come back !
Written 22 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian B
Brentwood, UK77 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Stopped off as part of a river cruise. Wonderful experience. Didn’t need a guide. The paintings were absolutely wonderful .
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie N
33 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
A friend and I booked afternoon tea on the day of the Coronation and what a disappointment. On arrival we were put into a room with one other (unoccupied) table, no music, no bunting, no atmosphere at all. The food was fine but the overall experience was poor and not worth £45 each. The whole college area was not well decorated but I guess that might have been partly due to the weather but what a missed opportunity inside.
Written 9 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lukáš Navara
28 contributions
Apr 2023
The painted hall is beautiful! Definitely do the guided tour, our tour guide Bob was the best guide ever! Really fun and interesting experience.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wsmelser
Savannah, GA153 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Average, ok to visit, but don't spend more than an hour. Not a lot of exciting things to see. Make sure you see the chapel, it's beautiful.
Bill S, Savannah, GA USA
Bill S, Savannah, GA USA
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R
Dartford, UK1,099 contributions
Apr 2023
Our last visit to this building had been when the restoration work was in full flow. That work has now all been finished and it was wonderful to see the building and the paintings fully restored to their former glory. We opted for the self guided tour with the audio guides which was a great addition to the tour from the pre restoration days. The audio descriptions were really good and gave such insight into the paintings and to side stories about the paintings.
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian L
Hothfield, UK229 contributions
Apr 2023
Amazing place. Simply stunning. Ticket price includes a tour for about 45mins, wish it was for 2 hours, really excellent tour guide. So glad we finally got to see this amazing experience.
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
natclay
Quinns Rocks, Australia184 contributions
We enjoyed our morning in the grounds of the Old Royal Navy College. We did the guided tour and would recommend this to get a little more information about the history of the site. Both the chapel and the painted hall are beautiful. It was cold near the water so plan for the weather.
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK6,782 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
The Painted Hall, in the heart of Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College, is a worthwhile attraction if you are exploring Greenwich and its UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It’s often referred to as ‘London’s Sistine Chapel’, but if you’ve ever visited the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City in Rome (as I have done, many times), you would know that that reference is a fair stretch of the imagination. However, it is something to behold, and the detailed ceiling is a triumph of early 18th century art.
The building which contains the painted ceiling, and the almost symmetrical building opposite, were designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The buildings were originally constructed to serve as the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich, and were built between 1696 and 1712. However it appears that the main hall, the eating space for the Greenwich Pensioners who lived at the Royal Hospital, wasn’t quite fancy enough, so artist Sir James Thornhill was brought in to create the masterpiece you see on the ceiling today. The epic painting scheme took 19 years from the start of the commission to its completion in 1726.
The Painted Hall features 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings. These surfaces are covered in striking and colourful images depicting 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures. It is a beautiful baroque pies of art, and it is certainly worth seeing. The detail is breathtaking, and the imagery and allegorical references are stunning.
To appreciate it you really need to take the time to understand the various components of the work. We found the hand-held, book-like illustrative guides available in the hall were really helpful, detailing who and what the multitude of figures and images represented, and where to find them on the very detailed paintings. This takes time, so you need at least a good hour to explore the painting and to appreciate the grandeur of the ceiling.
A visit to the Pained Hall used to be free, but it closed in 2017 for a much-needed restoration, reopening again in 2019. It’s no longer free. Our visit, for two people, cost £27.00. Tickets for timed entry can be bought on-line, but we obtained our tickets at the Visitor Centre within the building, for immediate entry. On-site availability is not always available. A concession for Seniors is not available.
Whilst visiting the Painted Hall, you may want to seek out the spot where Lord Nelson lay in state, in January 1806. The exact spot where the coffin lay is marked by a plaque on the floor.
Our ticket allowed us to visit a historic Skittle Alley in the vaults between the Painted Hall and the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul. It’s a rare example of an early Victorian past time, originally built for the amusement of the Greenwich Pensioners in 1864. Your visit allows you to try your luck and roll three wooden balls down the alley. It’s a bit of fun.
It's worth a visit. But it's not the Sistine Chapel.
The building which contains the painted ceiling, and the almost symmetrical building opposite, were designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The buildings were originally constructed to serve as the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich, and were built between 1696 and 1712. However it appears that the main hall, the eating space for the Greenwich Pensioners who lived at the Royal Hospital, wasn’t quite fancy enough, so artist Sir James Thornhill was brought in to create the masterpiece you see on the ceiling today. The epic painting scheme took 19 years from the start of the commission to its completion in 1726.
The Painted Hall features 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings. These surfaces are covered in striking and colourful images depicting 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures. It is a beautiful baroque pies of art, and it is certainly worth seeing. The detail is breathtaking, and the imagery and allegorical references are stunning.
To appreciate it you really need to take the time to understand the various components of the work. We found the hand-held, book-like illustrative guides available in the hall were really helpful, detailing who and what the multitude of figures and images represented, and where to find them on the very detailed paintings. This takes time, so you need at least a good hour to explore the painting and to appreciate the grandeur of the ceiling.
A visit to the Pained Hall used to be free, but it closed in 2017 for a much-needed restoration, reopening again in 2019. It’s no longer free. Our visit, for two people, cost £27.00. Tickets for timed entry can be bought on-line, but we obtained our tickets at the Visitor Centre within the building, for immediate entry. On-site availability is not always available. A concession for Seniors is not available.
Whilst visiting the Painted Hall, you may want to seek out the spot where Lord Nelson lay in state, in January 1806. The exact spot where the coffin lay is marked by a plaque on the floor.
Our ticket allowed us to visit a historic Skittle Alley in the vaults between the Painted Hall and the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul. It’s a rare example of an early Victorian past time, originally built for the amusement of the Greenwich Pensioners in 1864. Your visit allows you to try your luck and roll three wooden balls down the alley. It’s a bit of fun.
It's worth a visit. But it's not the Sistine Chapel.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William G
Raleigh, NC2 contributions
Briefly in Greenwich later this year. If we purchase the First Sunday Tickets to view the Painted Hall, is it possible to be in, take a few pictures, and out again within a 1.5 hour span if we arrive at opening time? Are First Sundays different than the other open days?
jane j
Dursley, UK153 contributions
Yes, could be done easily.
Venture23084734671
1 contribution
Can I walk to it from Greenwich Park, if so how long will it take.
filrite
Greater London, UK295 contributions
Furthest entrance, up at Blackheath, would take you about 20-25 minutes, closest by the Maritime museum would be as long as it takes to get across the road unless anyone in your party has any mobility problems :-)
Is free entrance at Painted Hall ?
Old Royal Naval College
London, UK
Hi Doru, The Painted Hall reopened in March 2019 following a major conservation project. It now costs £12 for adults and is free for kids. This includes use of a multimedia guide and expert talks throughout the day in the Painted Hall, free kids activities and hands on exhibits. A guided tour of the whole of the Old Royal Naval College and entrance to the Victorian Skittle Alley is also included in your ticket price. For more information please see our website.
Nicola R
Amesbury, UK157 contributions
Is it easy to park at the college? I will have a car with me so keen to understand if I go to hotel first and then come across or can come directly to the college to look round.
Jackie D
London, UK13 contributions
You cannot park in the college grounds. There is an expensive car park at the other end of the college. It would be much better to park at the hotel. Besides it's lovely to walk to it as there's so much to see around there which you'll miss if you're driving and the traffic is always heavy.
p0llyanna17
Great Yarmouth, UK2 contributions
Where is a nice place to stay near the Navel College
Old Royal Naval College
London, UK
Hi p0llyanna17, we recommend checking out the Visit Greenwich website for recommendations on places to stay. We hope you enjoy your stay in Greenwich!
lisazeravica
Lusaka, Zambia7 contributions
How long does one need to see everything without rushing?
Old Royal Naval College
London, UK
Hello Lisa,
We would say you need at least an hour to take in the grounds and Visitor Centre. In addition you may choose to go on one of the daily 45 minute guided walks led by knowledgeable volunteers, which will enhance your experience of the site. The chapel is free to enter, barring closure for private events.
The Painted Hall is currently closed for our Painted Hall conservation project, where we are removing 50 years' worth of built up dirt from the beautiful painted ceiling. However, we are offering the exciting opportunity for people to go on Painted Hall Ceiling Tours, giving the rare chance of seeing the masterpiece up close from an observation deck. These tours will take around 45 minutes.
If you're interested in booking a ceiling tour or would like more information about visiting, please visit our website (address is listed on TripAdvisor- we can't post links here).
Thanks for your interest and we hope to see you soon!
Khalid A
184 contributions
how much tickets?
Old Royal Naval College
London, UK
Hi Khalid,
We are free to visit!
Thanks,
Andrew
globug24
Newport, UK70 contributions
are the music events held in the grounds
Old Royal Naval College
London, UK
Our summer music events are held in the grounds, most other events are held in our beautiful Chapel.