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
Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
Painting of Queen Amina holding a staff against a backdrop of colourful triangles
Events and festivals | Women's History Month

Women's History Month 2025

Celebrate the knowledge and achievements of pioneering women
Throughout March 2025
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Emma
Events and festivals | Women's History Month

Women's History Month at the Queen's House

Discover about ordinary women ahead of their time, powerful queens and brilliant female artists on our series of tours and talks
Throughout March | See below for details
Free Entry
Queen's House
Black and white photograph of artist Sonia Boyce sitting at a desk staring into the distance
Talks and tours

Talk: Crop Over

Academic and artist Professor Dame Sonia Boyce highlights the cultural significance of the Barbadian harvest festival
Wednesday 19 March 2025 | 6pm-8.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Image of a tea service adorned with collages of Caribbean market women and plants
Talks and tours | Women's History Month

Bodily Autonomy: a right not an ideology

Join us for this talk as we explore the importance of bodily autonomy. From healthcare to reproductive rights, we take a look at the challenges and opportunities for women today
Saturday 22 March 2025 | 2.45pm - 3.45pm
£5
Queen's House
A silhouette of a person looking out to sea at night, with rocks and stars framing them
Experiences | Member events

Members' Experience: A Beginner’s Guide to Observing

Come along and begin your journey to observing the night sky on the historic Queen's House lawns
Tuesday 25 March 2025 l 6.30pm-9pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
A delicate-looking tea service featuring teapot and matching cups. The central motif features a Black woman with a child on her back, handing an item to a bare-chested figure
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Tour: Porcelain and Politics

Join Senior Curator Victoria Lane as we explore porcelain pieces held at the Queen's House and discover just how political these items can be
Thursday 27 March 2025 | 2.30pm-3.30pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
Photograph of harpists Catherine and Elizabeth Rajhans with a harp behind them
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Evening Concerts at the Queen's House: Rajhans harp duo

A night of music featuring harpists Catherine and Elizabeth Rajhans
Friday 28 March 2025 | 7.30pm-8.45pm
Adult: £16 | Child: £8
Queen's House
Pieter Goos Atlas CBR.png
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Pieter Goos’s ‘Water World’

In this free lunchtime talk, hear Curator Tim May talk about the hidden stories behind the making of the atlas, first published in 1666, now on display in the Queen’s House
Wednesday 2 April 2025 | 1pm - 1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
An Indian miniature of Zeenat Mahal (1823–1886), wife and favourite of the King of Delhi and last Mughal Emperor.jpg
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Miniatures from Mughal India to Jamaica

In this free lunchtime talk, hear art historian Damiët Schneeweisz talk about a portrait miniature of Zeenat Mahal, on display at the Queen’s House
Wednesday 9 April 2025 | 1pm - 1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Pearl diver coming up for air, Alan Villiers.jpg
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Diving into the Past

In this free lunchtime talk, hear researcher Taibah Al-Fagih talk about the legacy of pearl diving in the Arabian Gulf through Adam Villiers’ photography
Wednesday 16 April 2025 | 1pm - 1.30pm
Free
Queen's House