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Old Royal Naval College Review

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Old Royal Naval College

Address: Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9LW | Map It
Phone: 020/8269-4747
www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org

Category: Educational Institutions
Location: Greenwich

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Fodor's Review:

Begun by Christopher Wren in 1694 as a rest home for ancient mariners, it became instead a school for young ones in 1873. Today the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music have classes here. Architecturally, you'll notice how the structures part to reveal the Queen's House across the central lawns. Behind the college are two more buildings you can visit: the Painted Hall, the college's dining hall, derives its name from the baroque murals of William and Mary (reigned 1689-95; William alone 1695-1702) and assorted allegorical figures. James Thornhill's frescoes, depicting scenes of naval grandeur with a suitably pro-British note of propaganda, were painstakingly done over installments in 1708-12 and 1718-26, and were good enough to earn him a knighthood. The hall is still used for dining, making merry, school visits, and weddings today. In the opposite building stands the College Chapel, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1779 and is altogether lighter, in a more restrained, neo-Grecian style. Trinity College of Music holds free classical music concerts in the chapel every Tuesday lunchtime during the school year.

Cost: Free, guided tours £5
Open: Painted Hall and chapel daily 10-5; grounds 8-6
Tube: DLR: Greenwich.

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