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Just across the river on the other side of the soaring skyscrapers crowding Canary Wharf is the maritime heart of London. Sitting on the southeast edge of the city is a borough steeped in rich history, international renown and sweeping vistas of the capitol’s skyline, Welcome to Greenwich.
Maritime history
Perched on the banks of the River Thames, Greenwich (pronounced gren-itch) once acted as the port gateway to the bustling city of London. Once home to the Palace of Placentia and the birthplace of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, the castle was demolished and the Old Royal Naval College erected in its place. Prominently featured in “Thor: The Dark World,” visitors won’t need to worry about any elves invading as they stroll through the open courtyards marveling at the stately buildings and impressive architecture.
Not far from the college grounds, is the well-preserved Cutty Sark. One of the last tall ships built as a tea clipper, this ship was also one of the fastest before the steam engine revolutionized transportation. She made sailings between China and Australia for tea and wool trading, and actually held the record for the quickest route from the U.K. to Australia for 10 years. When she retired from service, she was used as a training vessel for cadets at the naval college. Today, visitors can tour the ship and learn about its fascinating history.
The park and observatory
Previously used as royal hunting grounds, Greenwich Park boasts commanding views of the London skyline atop the hill near the Royal Observatory. The vast green space is the perfect place to spend a rare warm sunny day in the summer. Walking trails abound and there are plenty of playgrounds for little ones to expend their energy.
Located in the center of the park, the Royal Observatory is absolutely worth a visit. Although the planetarium is still currently closed at the time of writing, the rest of the building is fascinating. Full of exhibits, visitors can discover the origins of Greenwich Mean Time and its importance not just as the international standard for time, but also in maritime calculation and coordinates.
Outside the building, you’ll notice a thin metal line running along the ground. The prime meridian is the longitudinal bearing of 0*. Prior to the latter half of the 19th century, countries would use their own version of the prime meridian to calculate their bearings. However, in 1884, a global consortium voted to institute the Greenwich prime meridian as the standard-bearer which helped ease confusion with coordinates. If you put one foot on one side of the line and your other foot on the other side, you’ll be standing in both the eastern and western hemispheres.
While it’s easy to stay within the confines of central London, broaden your horizon and take in the delights of the outer boroughs. Greenwich is a great place to start.
