Astor Hostels Recommends… Greenwich
Among the many places that are worth mentioning in London, today I decided to talk about Greenwich. Certainly, one of the greenest districts of this huge and fascinating city, this neighborhood deserves a whole day dedicated entirely to discovering this iconic destination.
Greenwich is one of the few areas of London where it seems to be really by the seaside. Greenwich is mainly known for giving its name to the meridian and time zone. Perhaps not everyone knows that since the fifteenth century it hosts one of the royal palaces of the British monarchy known as the Palace of Placentia, and then converted into the Royal Naval College in 1873 for military training. Today is partly open to the public, in part constitutes The University of Greenwich and the Conservatory of Music and Dance Trinity Laban. Greenwich was also the birthplace of several real of the House of Tudor, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
MUST SEE THINGS IN GREENWICH
The Riverfront
The Cutty Sark (a clipper launched in 1869) is now preserved in a dry dock along the river.
Since 1954, the Cutty Sark has been on public display. Continuing east along the riverside of Greenwich, it is the complex of the Old Royal Naval College, a royal palace of extraordinary beauty that you can visit for free.
Greenwich Park
Behind the Royal Naval College is the National Maritime Museum, which is also open for free.
The museum has the most important contributes in the world on the maritime history of the Great Britain, including maritime art, cartography, manuscripts, scientific instruments and navigation tools to calculate the time and astronomy. For lovers of British history and culture there are plenty of numerous references to the British East India Company.
The park extends for about 0.7 km and it is very pleasant to cross for a walk, a bit of jogging or for a picnic on a hot day. Once inside the park you can visit the Royal Observatory, it is no longer in use anymore but turned into a museum and the famous zero Meridian. Finally the top of the hill offers a splendid view of the Canary Wharf complex.
Town Center and Market
Greenwich central features Georgian and Victorian buildings, extending west from the park. This area includes the famous covered market, Greenwich Market and the Art House Greenwich Cinema.
Within the market there are various street food stalls besides a good presence of handicrafts and manufacturing related to the maritime nature of the place, but not limited to.
If there wasn’t already enough to do in the City centre. Greenwich will treat you to many of its gems and gives you something unique to see in out amazing city of London!