Greenwich is a city district which lies in the south east of London at the south shore of the Thames in the county of London Borough of Greenwich.

It’s most famous for being the starting point of the zero meridians and for the Greenwich Mean Time, as well as the British Marine Centre and Royal Observatory. Going back in the history of Greenwich it was the residence for a few of Englands Kings. Due to this trait, the building of the Palace of Placentia in the 15th century was constructed, which was then destroyed after the civil war. The Royal Naval hospital was built in its place. Since 1873, The Royal Naval College was set up in this hospital, and now, since 1998, it’s being used by the University of Greenwich and the Trinity College of Music.

Royal Greenwich Observatory

The Royal Greenwich Observatory is one of its great attractions, as well as the Greenwich Park, and the National Maritime Museum. Since 1997, this district has belonged to the UNESCO-World Cultural Heritage. Maritime Greenwich received a lot of recognition due to its many history charged buildings, which are very historically and architecturally interesting. The historical buildings are split up respectively into three area groups. The Riverfront, Greenwich Park, and the Town Centre.

The Greenwich Riverfront Zone

Here you will find the Cutty Sark, a clipper ship which has been preserved on a dry dock on the river Thames. Unfortunately, due to a fire in 2007, a part of it was destroyed, although luckily, a lot of it had been removed beforehand for restoration. The ship should be successfully restored, and for visitors displayed, sometime in 2010. The focus of the World Cultural Heritage of Greenwich is the Marine academy, the Royal Naval College and the Royal Observatory. This was built by Christopher Wren and much of it is now used by the University of Greenwich and the Trinity College of Music.

Greenwich Park

Behind the Marine academy there is a group of houses in an arcade where you can find the National Maritime Museum. Bordering to the South is the Greenwich Park, 73 hectare which belong to the Royal Parks of London. The Greenwich Park originated as hunting grounds for the Palace of Placentia. Inside the park is the Blackheath hill, whereupon the Statue of General James Wolfe stands. Not just that, the hill is also home to the unique Greenwich Observatory, which precedes the point of zero meridian and Greenwich Mean Time. Today, the building is used as a Museum and exhibit for astronomical and navigational equipment.
One of the most famous exhibit items is the Marine chronometer of John Harrison.

The City Centre of Greenwich

The Greenwich city centre is dominated by Georgian and Victorian architecture. And is situated to the west of the Greenwich Parks and the Royal Naval College. The central point is defined by a market square, which is surrounded by streets with a one way system. As well as that Greenwich also has two Theatres, the Greenwich Theatre and the Greenwich Playhouse.