Greenwich London - Worth the trip?
 

Is it worth making a visit to Greenwich in London for the day? I am only in London with my husband for 4 days in January. What is there to do?

For only a 4 day trip, it is NOT worth it to hit Greenwich..UNLESS it happens to be a SUNDAY with nothing else going on..

Greenwich , on Sunday, is filled with people going to the museums, and doing the flea markets.

Best way to get to Greenwich is the Thames River Boat--nice way to cruise down and see other London sights...

Yes, I think it is worth the trip. Be sure you see the Naval Museum and climb to the top of the hill for the meridian line. The view is worth the climb. There are great little shop in Greenwich if you are into shopping. Have fun!

No need to take a full day out of your short trip, but the observatory and naval museum are worth a half day. Be sure and take the ferry ride in one of the directions.

Keith

i agree with keith. it is not a day trip. it is worth seeing and the picture that you will get straddling the meridian is worth it. it is really a half day trip maybe and the boat ride is fun.

For a 4-day trip in midwinter, I'd find something else to do. Greenwich is best saved for a lovely summer day that's pleasant on the water and hiking up the hill to the observatory!

First - I REALLY enjoy Greenwich and go there frequently so don't take this as a knock on area.

BUT - winter days are short and the weather can be nasty. Greenwich is best when you can take the leisurely boat trip down river, wander around Greenwich itself, hike up to the Observatory, visit the Naval museum, walk under the river and take the dockland railway back to central London. This is not a fun trek in rain/sleet/wind/cold.

If you were in London a week or two I'd say wait for the first nice(ish) day and go to Greenwich. But with just 4 days in London there are just soooooo many better uses of your very limited time.

I live in Greenwich and so always like to defend it. But the last poster is right. Greenwich is best seen as an out door excursion. In summer the beer gardens of the Cutty Sark and the Trafalgar Tavern are full, the Royal Park is packed with relaxing locals and the river cheers the visitor rather than frightens them. Best on a sunny day. But, if you do decide to go in the rain then the Maritime Museum is free and interesting, and there is the observatory and the old navy collage for your inspection amongst other attractions.

Is it a hard hike up to the meridian line? Would this be ok for someone that doesn't walk a lot on steep areas?

cheuvront - I'd say it is a medium hike up the hill to the Prime Meridian. A pretty high hill but not very steep. And it has a lovely view - like the others have suggested, save it for a sunny day.

The hike up to the top was fine for my then 3 year old to climb up. It's a hill ina park that gets steep only at the very end. We went up at dusk and the "line" could be seen for a very long distance. The visual was great for my kids to understand the concept( or so I like t think!).

Well worth it no matter when. We were there during Christmas vacation. Be sure to go aboard the Cutty Sark moored there. Fascinating info and visuals. By the way, we went by the underground all the way and then onto the Docklands Railway. Just ask the ticket person at the underground ticket booth for a small map and have him circle the stops for Greenwich. It is a shorter ride than with the boats. And it is not necessarily a whole day. Well worth it if you do have some time.

As always, it depends on what things appeal to you. If history and/or science interests you then I would say it is a "must see". Greenwich Observatory dates from the 1670s and also incorporates the living quarters of England's first astronomer royal. In the adjoining museum you mustn't miss the fascinating old sea clocks designed by the inventor of the first accurate marine chronometer, John Harrison. Harrison's small and elegant final design, called H4, is probably one of the most valuable time-pieces in the world!

It was raining when I visited Greenwich, but armed with a sturdy brolly and and enthusiastic travel companion I still enjoyed my visit very much. The surrounding park area is also very beautiful and the town itself charming, even when the weather isn't perfect. You may want to check what the Observatory's and Maritime Museum's winter hours are ahead of time, however. And I almost forgot about Cutty Sark. Bundle up and enjoy!

Yes, 4 days in London hardly gives you time to see the highlights of the central city, but Greenwich does make a good day--or half-day--trip.

Given time constraints and season, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is the way to get there. The nautical museum is very worthwhile. It has recently been refurbished and brought into the 21st (or late 20th) century with hands-on, interactive and immaginative displays.

The walk up the hill to the old Royal Observatory is wonderful IF the weather is halfway decent. The observator itself is interesting...fascinating to anyone with more than a passing interest in navigation. rent the film "Longitude" to get a historical perspective on the subject (or not).

There are pubs and shops in the town, which has a feeling of a "town" contrasted to the big city atmosphere of central London, just upriver.

Enjoy your visit to London.

David White
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My husband took the London Walks tour to Greenwich on the boat in December. It leaves the Tower Hill tube stop every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am. His only complaint is that he froze on the boat ride. But he loved Greenwich.

DixieChick when your husband took the London Walks tour, how long did it last once they'd arrived in Greenwich? Did he make a day of it or half a day? And did they let you go off on your own for a while before going back on the boat? Could you if you wanted leave the tour and travel back on your own with the same boat ticket?

Thanks,
Sherri

You make your own way back, at your own expense, from the Greenwich "walk." The ticket London Walks purchases is one way.

When I took that walk in 2002, the guide was not the regular and really didn?t do the best job. London Walks also didn?t realize that the ferry line had changed its schedule and we missed our boat and had to wait for another.

I stayed with the tour for about an hour after we finally got there, then slipped away before it ended.

It wasn't a bad experience and I wouldn't say not to try it, but if I had it to do over, I would have just gone on my own.

Keith

Go! I am a Londoner, and went to Greenwich on a wet and cold January Sunday. Going to the top of the hill to the Observatory was v much worth it. Very interesting indeed. Seen Cutty Sark before, but still impressive. Skip the markets if time is pressing.

I just went to Greenwich for the first time this Saturday past.

Loved it!

I was born in London, grew up nearby and have lived here for the last 10 years.

I loved Greenwich and really enjoyed wondering through the buildings in the Former Royal Naval College as well as visting the Royal Observatory.

And of course we walked past the Cutty Sark, though going inside didn't appeal.

If maritime museums interest too you'll have even more to do.

I would say it's better in nice weather since it's ideal for a picnic on the grass near the observatory. Alternatively the tea house just near it does drinks and food.

The walk up the hill left me a little out of breath but it was fine - and I'm incredibly unfit and have arthritic hips.

Stunning views from up there too...

Is it very windy, too? I plan on going, Thursday April 1. I heard the market is open daily, is that true? Also according to one of Mr. Ben Haines' documents, there are a couple of pubs near the old Greenwich market, just wondering if those were any good...

How long did it take you, Kavey? I plan on starting off with the London Walks tour, simply because I don't think I can research enough information ahead of time. I figure it's a good start, then I can explore on my own?