On Greenwich Time

Back to cheap things to do in London - Don't miss out on Greenwich! This lovely place is just outside of London, just hop on the tube (exit: Cutty Sark or Greenwich) and you have a whole free day ahead of you. You can also catch a boat down to Greenwich for around six pounds, but the LDR - one of the lines on the tube, goes down there too and the LDR is above ground and goes through Canary Wharf - London's new business section, which offers some pretty interesting sights as well.

I'd say start out at the Cutty Sark once you get to Greenwich, but it's pretty well wrapped up for refurbishment right now - you can see it, but it's covered in plastic sheeting.

Start out by heading down to the riverfront and take a walk under the Thames to Island Gardens. Seriously, there's a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the Thames. It's marked by little gazebo style buildings on both sides of the Thames. This offers the best view of Greenwich.

The view from Island Gardens towards Greenwich

The building in view was the Royal Naval Hospital and is now used by the Trinity College of Music, if you pause and listen you can hear the students practicing. Head back over the to the Greenwich side, and sit down on the green space and listen - while I was there I ate breakfast while listening to someone singing opera and someone else playing the tuba. The building was designed by Christopher Wren. Many of the historic room are open to the public, including the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul which is magnificent!

The Queen's House is located right behind the Hospital/College built by Inigo Jones (for you design freaks out there - don't worry, I include myself in this statement.). The Queen's House is home to a very nice art collection, but what gets me every time is the floor!

When you've seen enough art work, head up the hill (and it is a hike) to the Royal Observatory.

Yes, all the way up there . . .

At the Royal Observatory, you can learn all about Greenwich Mean Time, stand on the Prime Meridian . . .

Nice shoes!

. . . and discover the stars with Astronomers of old.

When you head back down the hill, stop in the Maritime Museum - I didn't find it very interesting (there is a huge barge used by the Royals from the 17th-19th century which is unbelievable, and totally worth peeking at) but then again, oceanography and ships really aren't my thing. There were several little boys running around that had died and gone to Heaven. So, if you're really into ocean stuff or have boys, put this on your list as a nice break from all the art and history.

Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (became so in 1997!) and there's a visitor's center which can point you in the right direction if you need any help. Also, many of the buildings around offer free tours throughout the day and I believe there's even a walking tour or two for free.

You can easily spend the whole day here - and its all FREE!!