Join on the day

Essential Information

Location
Price Prices vary | Book places at the Admissions Desk

The Queen’s House is often referred to as Greenwich’s hidden gem.

A former royal residence, architectural masterpiece and renowned art gallery, England's first Classical building has a long and varied history.

Our programme of tours and talks bring the stories of the Queen's House to life, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides. Check out the details below to find out what’s currently on offer.

All tours and talks are subject to staff availability and operations capacity. Please ask at the Admissions Desk to see what we have to offer on the day.

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A photo looking up through a spiral staircase with ornate blue metal railings. The stairs appear to swirl up into a point in the ceiling

The Queen's House Classic Treasures Tour

Explore the unique architecture of the Queen’s House and uncover its history on this guided tour.

Join our passionate team and learn about the history of this former royal residence. Gaze upon the Great Hall, wander down the Tulip Stairs and discover the stories within our collection.  

At the end of the tour, you will gain exclusive access to the balcony with views of Greenwich Park.

  • Timings: Tours run daily at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
  • Duration: 50-60 minutes. 
  • Meeting point: Undercroft, located through the door between the curved exterior staircases. 
  • Prices: £5 for adults; £3.50 for students; £2.50 for children; free for Members.  
  • How to book: Tickets can be bought online or at the Admissions Desk, located in the Undercroft. Online sales open on a week-by-week basis.
  • Suitability: Suitable for adults. 
  • Audio headsets: You will be provided with headphones and an audio headset, which allow you to clearly hear the guide and adjust the volume if required. The headphones and headset will be collected at the end of the tour. 
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps. 
  • T&Cs: Please note that children under the age of 12 are not allowed on the balcony for health and safety reasons.

    Book a classic tour

    Book Member classic tour tickets

    Can't make an in-person tour? You can purchase our audio Treasures Tour for £5 and explore at your own pace - or even from the comfort of your home.

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Installation of rippling waves painted on ceramic tiles
Sea Mark by Tania Kovats

The Queen’s House Treasures Tour: Modern and Contemporary Art

Discover thought-provoking pieces of modern and contemporary art on display at the Queen’s House. Join our passionate team and learn about artists such as Alberta Whittle, Christy Symington and Tania Kovats.

At the end of the tour, you will gain exclusive access to the balcony with views of Greenwich Park.

  • Timings: Friday 7, 14, 21 and 28 March at 12.30pm
  • Duration: 50-60 minutes. 
  • Meeting point: Undercroft, located through the door between the curved exterior staircases. 
  • Prices: £5 for adults; £3.50 for students; £2.50 for children; free for Members.  
  • How to book: Tickets can be bought online or at the Admissions Desk, located in the Undercroft.
  • Suitability: Suitable for adults. 
  • Audio headsets: You will be provided with headphones and an audio headset, which allow you to clearly hear the guide and adjust the volume if required. The headphones and headset will be collected at the end of the tour. 
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps. 
  • T&Cs: Please note that children under the age of 12 are not allowed on the balcony for health and safety reasons.

Book Modern and Contemporary tour tickets

Book Member tickets

Gallery favourites

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James II dressed in colourful clothes like Mars, God of War

From the iconic Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I to the artists who created artworks for the ceilings of this former royal residency, dive deeper into stories about the Queen’s House and our collection during our free gallery talks. 

  • Timings: Daily at 11.30am and 2.30pm. 
  • Duration: 25-30 minutes. 
  • Location: Talks take place in various rooms around the Queen’s House. Ask a member of our team for more information. 
  • Price: Free. Donations welcome. 
  • Suitability: Suitable for adults and children. 
  • Accessibility: Step-free access to the rooms where the talks take place is available via lift and access ramps.

Talks include:

  • The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I: Discover more about the iconic and powerful portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. 
  • The ceilings of the Queen’s House: Learn about the artists who created artworks for the ceilings of the Queen’s House. The former royal residence was at the cutting edge of art and architecture when it was completed for Queen Henrietta Maria in the 1630s.  
  • The Escape of Charles II: Uncover the dramatic events which led to Charles II's escape from the country after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. 
  • Jack Cornwell VC, the boy hero of Jutland: Discover more about Jack Cornwell VC, the boy hero of the Battle of Jutland and the third youngest person to win a Victoria Cross, which made him a national hero during the First World War. 
  • The Fall of James II, the last Catholic King of England: Dig deeper into the fall of James II (pictured), the last Catholic King of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the last king to be overthrown in British history; in what has been remembered as the Glorious Revolution. 
  • Olaudah Equiano: Discover important facts about the life of Equiano, a key figure in the fight to end the slave trade within the British Empire. 
  • Queens Consort: Learn more about Queens Consort and their roles in the history of the Queen’s House. 
  • The Siege of Malta: Dig deeper into the paintings illustrating the dramatic moments of the Siege of Malta, when the Knights of St. John stopped the unstoppable might of the Ottoman Empire. 
  • The View from One Tree Hill: Discover more about Greenwich in the 1680s and the shaping of the Greenwich we know today. 
  • Women in Uniform: Find out about the story behind Portrait of a Wren Officer and the contributions of women during both World Wars. 
  • The Battle of Lepanto: Explore the painting of the Battle of Lepanto, when the Holy League under Don Juan of Austria and the Ottoman Empire fought in one of the fiercest battles in maritime history. 

Volunteer tours

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A view of the Queen's House in Greenwich from the outside. The square white building is almost symmetrical from the front, with a gravel pathway leading up to the main entrance

Highlights of the Queen’s House: Join one of our volunteers for this free tour exploring the architecture and early history of the Queen’s House, the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I and other paintings from our permanent collection.

  • Timings: Mondays at 12pm and 1.30pm. Thursdays at 12pm and 2pm.
  • Duration: Approximately 45 minutes.
  • Meeting point: Undercroft, located through the door between the curved exterior staircases.
  • Price: Free.
  • Suitability: Suitable for adults.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.
More information

For bespoke tours and for larger groups, please contact the bookings office at bookings@rmg.co.uk

What’s On

Mistress Babbington character actor at the Queen's House
Family fun

Character Actors at the Queen's House

Meet historical characters connected to the Queen's House and take part in exciting performances
19, 26 January and 18, 19, 20 February | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
A view of the Queen's House in Greenwich from the outside. The square white building is almost symmetrical from the front, with a gravel pathway leading up to the main entrance
Events and festivals

Valentine's Day at the Queen's House

From drawing workshops to tours, celebrate romance at the former royal residence
15-16 February | See below for details
Free Entry
Queen's House
A woman looks at the painting of Elizabeth I known as the 'Armada Portrait', hanging in the Queen's House
Workshops

Valentine's Day drawing workshop at the Queen's House

Develop your portrait skills in this special guided workshop, led by artist Federico Baeza-Autillo
15-16 February | Sessions at 10am and 1pm
Adult: £15 (plus £3 booking fee), Adult Members: £13.50
Queen's House
A group of singers performing. The group are wearing red, orange and yellow t-shirts
Family fun | LGBTQ+

February half term at the Queen's House

Find fun for all the family at the Queen's House this February as part of LGBTQ+ History Month's Out at Sea festival
15-23 February 2025 | See page for details
Free
Queen's House
A collage of images produced or sourced by Queer History Club members including a tattooed arm saying 'i'm coming out', male polar explorers wearing coloured-in dresses, and a historic love token
Workshops | LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ History Month tours and workshops

Partner up with the Queer History Club this LGBTQ+ History Month for a range of free workshops and tours in Greenwich
15-22 February 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
A speaker at the National Maritime Museum's Queer History Night. A screen with a collage of photos is on the wall behind the speaker
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Queer History Night

Researchers and artists share their journeys into the museum archives as part of LGBTQ+ History Month
Thursday 20 February 2025 | 18:00 - 21:30 | SOLD OUT
Free
Queen's House
Trinity Laban Concert in the Queen's House Great Hall
Events and festivals

Lunchtime Concerts at the Queen's House

Enjoy musical performances in the Queen's House given by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
Select weekdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Member events

Titanic Legacy: The Captain, The Daughter and The Spy

Join author Dan E. Parkes as he discusses the untold story of Titanic Captain E.J. Smith and his only daughter Mel.
Wednesday 26 February 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm l SOLD OUT
Free for Members
Queen's House
Black and white checkerboard floor of the Great Hall in the Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Evening Concerts at the Queen’s House with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Join us for a night of chamber music performed by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Thursday 27 February 2025 | 7.30pm
Adult: £16, Adult Members: £14, Child: £8, Child Members: £7.20
Queen's House
Drag King and Queen Adam All and Apple Derrieres in luxurious period garb. A stylised image of the Queen's House with the Progress Pride flag superimposed on the front of the house is in the background
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Fierce Queens: En Vogue

In celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, the Queen's House is throwing open its doors for a fashion show like no other!
Friday 28 February 2025 | 7-11pm
Adults: £16 | Students and Members: £13 | Companions FREE
Queen's House
Meteor shower stretching over a lighthouse on a rocky promontory
Talks and tours | Member events

The Meteorite Hunters

Take a ride through the history and science of meteorites with science journalist Joshua Howgego.
Tuesday 4 March 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free for Members
Queen's House