Greenwich Observatory
The Royal Observatory Greenwich was built by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century and is situated on top of a hill at the Greenwich Royal Park in London. It was founded by King Charles II. Since it was from this observatory that the scientists of the time charted the stars to aid the sailors in navigating at sea, it is hailed as the birthplace of British astronomy. This observatory is where the Prime Meridian Line crosses, and it is also where the "Greenwich Mean Time" is computed.
The Flamsteed House is notable because it is the original part of the observatory where the famous Time Ball drop signal has been in operation since 1833. As well as Flamsteed House, you can visit the Octagon Room, Time Galleries, and Astronomers Royal Apartment. The Shepherd Gate Clock on the observatory's outer wall is a significant attraction because it was the first clock to display accurate Greenwich Mean Time to the public.
You can also see the observatory's onion-dome roof, which makes room for the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest telescope in the UK. The Royal Observatory now has a new Peter Harrison Planetarium, which hosts daily shows.
Royal Observatory Greenwich Highlights
- Witness the historic Prime Meridian Line and learn about Greenwich Mean Time while placing one foot east and one foot west of the world's Prime Meridian.
- Admire The Great Equatorial Telescope, one of the world's largest refracting telescopes.
- View the Shepherd Gate Clock, the Harrison Clock, and the Airy's Transit Circle telescope, which determined the precise location of the Prime Meridian.
- At the Peter Harrison Planetarium, get up close and personal with the stars in a planetarium show hosted by an expert astronomer.
- Visit the Octagon Room, where astronomical instruments and clocks line the observatory's walls.
Location: Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greenwich
