europeannovice

Hi again everyone,


Is there any difference between these two ferry companies: Thames Clipper and City Cruises. Both seem to offer ferry service from Tower Pier to Greenwich. Is one preferred over the other?

How much time should we allow for Greenwich? Is it an all day event or just a half day--We will be interested in seeing the Queen's House, the Maritime Museum, the Prime Meridian Line and the Royal Observatory. I know from previous threads that the Cutty Sark is not accessible--still undergoing major repairs from the fire damage. Are we missing anything else on the list that should be seen? Does the Maritime museum warrant a couple of hours or does it require more or less time? The books say it is the largest maritime museum in the world but what does that mean as far as size and content from a viewing perspective? As always thanks for your input.

Cholmondley_Warner

So many questions...

I'm not aware of any great difference (I don't pay to go on either - so am probably not the best person to ask).

I'd give Greenwich the day if you have the weather - less so if not. One downside to Greenwich is the food options - take a picnic if you can. I would be hard pressed to suggest anywhere good to eat that doesn't cost a mint.

You've picked up most of the main sites - but if you have the weather go to the Park.

PatrickLondon

The Clippers are a rather luxurious commuter riverbus, using catamarans that can go pretty fast where speed restrictions allow; passengers can get on with cramming in as much paperwork, reading the newspaper or urgent discussions with colleagues as they can get into the time available.

City Cruises are a pleasure-boat service, whose boats can only go at a fairly leisurely pace, allowing passengers to enjoy the view and the commentary.

ElendilPickle

We took the Thames Clipper from Blackfriars to Greenwich and spent about half a day there. I'm a fan of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels, so the National Maritime Museum was a must for me. We spent about 90 minutes there, mostly in the Nelson exhibit.

After the museum, we took a tram up to the Royal Observatory and took the obligatory pictures standing on the Prime Meridian. Mr. Pickle toured the observatory, but I opted to stay outside and enjoy the views.

Lee Ann

PatrickLondon

Just to add another element...

you can take the DLR back from Greenwich into town, stopping off at West India Quay for the Museum in Docklands, if you should be interested in another aspect of maritime history - but you might well be exhausted by that point.

http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/

europeannovice

Thanks for the info. I should count on at least a half day then.

Do you recommend doing the Tower of London and Greenwich on the same day since the ferry is right near the tower heading toward Greenwich or should I plan for two separate days and spend the tower day also at the bridge and St Paul?

There is a tram that takes you up to the top of the hill to the observatory? Where do you get the tram?

PatrickLondon

>>Do you recommend doing the Tower of London and Greenwich on the same day <<

It all depends how much time you're likely to want to spend at each, which is a bit unpredictable: you might decide a couple of hours at the Tower is enough, or you might find yourself caught up in something. Not impossible to do both, especially with a sit-down boat ride to give you a rest, but potentially tiring. Why not play it by ear once you know how you're doing at the Tower?

I can't find any details about the "tram" up to the Observatory, and I'm not sure if still runs, but if it does, it would be from the main entrance to Greenwich Park at the top of King William Walk. You couldn't miss it.

Cholmondley_Warner

There is a tram that takes you up to the top of the hill to the observatory?>>>>

No. But there is a perfectly ordinary bus that will do it (and as you have travelcards it's "free").

A rarely mentioned hidden gem in Greenwich is the FAn Museum (yes it's a museum of fans) but more to the point they serve fabulous teas in their gorgeous gardens and restaurant. But only on Tuesdays and Sundays during the summer. It really is great.

http://www.fan-museum.org/entertainment.asp

If you want to know much more about Greenwich I'm happy to help (not the tourist stuff but pubs, food etc I'm good).

GeoffHamer

There is another boat service to Greenwich: Thames River Services go from Westminster and St Katharine's (www.royalriverthames.co.uk). Like City Cruises, it's a sightseeing trip. The boats have open decks and saloons, and the crew usually give a commentary on the sights. Both run every half hour in summer and a travelcard gives a discount of 33%.

europeannovice

Thanks all for the recommendations. We will have to play by ear depending on the weather what we do after the tower that day but it is good to know our options.

Does the tram run seasonally in the summer or did it stop running altogether? If the tram doesn't run anymore, what is the bus # we should take?

CW-yes please make lunch recommendations. Per your previous post, you mentioned that Greenwich does not have good offerings as far as decent food. I read about the Trafalgar Tavern but that sounds very touristy. So we are open to good suggestions if we happen to be there for lunch. If we go in the afternoon after the tower though we probably would have eaten already and won't have to worry about food but just in case we go on a different day....

idesofmarch

What great info about Greenwich!. When we come in June I'll be visiting Greenwich for the first time and am looking forward to it.
I was considering a visit to the Tower on the same day; but I know I won't be up to it. I'm thinking a more leisurely afternoon after Greenwich with perhaps a visit to St.Paul's. I've read about the Fan Museum and was thinkig about it. Now that CW has mentioned the wonderful teas it might be a must. I look forward to any other eating recommendations.

ElendilPickle

>>There is a tram that takes you up to the top of the hill to the observatory?>>>>

No. But there is a perfectly ordinary bus that will do it (and as you have travelcards it's "free").<<

It's not a cable car-like tram, but we caught a ride on one of those trams that look sort of like a glorified golf cart that pulls a wagonish thing that has passenger seats. That's what I meant by tram.

Lee Ann

europeannovice

Pickle--where did you catch this tram/wagon? Can it accomodate 4 people?

How much time did Mr. Pickle spend at the observatory? Was there a lot or a little to see there? Did he catch a planetarium show or just tour the observatory?

JimSteel

The 'tram / golf' cart is caught at the bottom of the hill by the entrance to the park. You really won’t miss it. it’s not a public bus (if you know what i mean) so no number. Its provided for those to fat or unfit to walk the quarter mile to the top of the hill, it goes nowhere else. It is large enough for 15-20 people I would say
The Trafalgar Tavern is good for food, not too touristy when i lived in Greenwich 4 years ago, its full of locals on a Sunday. There used to be a fantastic pie and mash shop, but alas now replaced by a gourmet burger joint (have they gone into administration?) There are a number of cafes that provide good meals, sorry no names as I just knew about them, so never learnt their names. My wife will know so might get back to you.

Cholmondley_Warner

The Trafalgar Tavern is good for food, not too touristy when I lived in Greenwich 4 years ago>>>

The Trafalgar is about the biggest tourist trap in Greenwich. The food is good – but pricey.

The Gourmet Burger (it’s called that) place is still going. Very good burgers but expensive

The Indian opposite the Cutty Sark is pretty good.

The noodle place by St Alf’s is cheap and cheerful.

The grill in the Picture house is good (not cheap) and the Spread Eagle is the best in town (and eye-wateringly pricey).

The wetherpsoons by the DLR is a typical wetheerpoons – cheap and cheerless.

Personally I like the Spanish Galleon (pub) again by the Cutty Sark.

But perhaps the most telling thing I can say is that I worked in Greenwich for two years and almost never ate there (I would go to Blackheath).

europeannovice

Thanks again all. I will keep the food options in mind.

Has anyone seen a planetarium show at the observatory?

ElendilPickle

>>Its provided for those to fat or unfit to walk the quarter mile to the top of the hill, it goes nowhere else<<

:::raised eyebrow::: It's also suitable for those of us with limited time and really sore feet from walking all over.

Let's see...Mr. Pickle only spent a few minutes in the observatory because we wanted to get back to London for the afternoon. He said it was really interesting and would have liked to spend a little longer there.

Lee Ann

europeannovice

The tram/bus sounds like a good idea since we will be with a senior. She won't have to walk up the hill. It will even give us a much needed rest also.

Here is another set of questions. I have so many.

Can we take the docklands light rail from bank station to Greenwich? Up at the hill, there is the Maze southeast rail road station. Can you use your travel card and take that back to London Bridge if you want to go to the southbank? Can you also take the southeast train to Charing Cross if you want to be near Trafalgar Square? Is the travel card accepted on the southeast trains? Or is it better to go back down the hill and just take the docklands light rail back? Of course there are the ferries too but maybe we should ferry there and take either docklands or train back.

PatrickLondon

Can we take the docklands light rail from bank station to Greenwich?
Yes

Up at the hill, there is the Maze southeast rail road station. Can you use your travel card and take that back to London Bridge if you want to go to the southbank?
Yes, but Maze Hill station is at the bottom of the hill.

Can you also take the southeast train to Charing Cross if you want to be near Trafalgar Square? Is the travel card accepted on the southeast trains?
Yes

Or is it better to go back down the hill and just take the docklands light rail back?
Your choice

Of course there are the ferries too but maybe we should ferry there and take either docklands or train back.

The trains will be quick but you won't see anything particularly interesting. With the boat+DLR combination you maximise variety in what you see while sitting down (the DLR runs through the Manhattan-style buildings at Canary Wharf). With the DLR you could also stop off at the Museum in Docklands if you wanted.

kat7cebu

Hi.
Was Just in London last week.

Took a single journey at city cruises From westminster which went direct to Greenwich but the Cutty Sark was under renovation and was boarded up. I walked through Greenwich Park to the Observatory. Was just a beautiful day at the park, with families on picnics, children playing with their dogs..

Opted to take the Thames clipper (more of a commute service, so there are more frequent trips) when I left Greenwich to proceed to Bankside. I suggest to take the Thames brochure for the schedule its on almost all Tube Stations.

From Greenwich proceeded to Bankside to go to The Tate Modern. Really enjoyed it. Walked over the Millenium Bridge while taking a minute or two on the bridge if weather permits before walking towards St Pauls Cahtedral. From there, I just wandered about and hopped on Bus 17 and went off Trafalgar Square. Went back to Hotel through the Charring Cross Tube station to freshen up for Theatre in the evening. I really enjoyed Mamma Mia.

I hope this helps...

Enjoy!