Essential Information
| Location |
Royal Observatory
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|---|---|
| Price | Free with entry to the Observatory |
| Free entry for members. Not a member? Join now |
Download the Royal Observatory audio guide and find your way round the home of Greenwich Mean Time.
We're all used now to planning a journey with just a phone in our pocket, but none of that would be possible without the work of the Royal Observatory.
Pioneering telescopes and timepieces – and the people who designed and used them – helped us find our place in the universe, and put Greenwich at the heart of time, space and navigation.
But how did Greenwich become known as the 'Home of Time'? Follow the tour as your explore the Observatory and find out!
The tour is free to all Royal Observatory visitors. All you need is your phone.
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How does it work?
We've partnered with Smartify, the world's most downloaded museum app, to make it easier than ever to explore the Royal Observatory.
To get started, download Smartify for free from the Apple or Android app store. You can do this now or when you arrive.
When you arrive, simply search for 'Royal Observatory' and select the tour to begin.
Audio guide features
- Expert commentary on the history of the Royal Observatory: from how and why it was built to the people who lived and worked here.
- Rich audio, images and text: lean back and listen or read the transcript – explore the Observatory at your own pace and in your own way.
- Listen again when you get home: want to check something you heard during your visit? Once the app is installed, you can always tune in again.
Like what you hear?
We are so thankful to be open once more, but the pandemic has been once of the hardest years in the Observatory's long history. For every month Royal Museums Greenwich has been closed, we've lost £1 million in revenue – yet our care for this historic building and its treasures continues.
If you enjoy the tour, please consider leaving a donation to help continue that work.
Find more Royal Observatory highlights
Top things to do at the Royal Observatory
From historic clocks and telescopes to cutting edge astronomy, find all there is to see at the home of Greenwich Mean Time
Stand on the Prime Meridian Line
Visit the historic Prime Meridian of the World at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Watch a Planetarium show
Out-of-this-world planetarium shows and live astronomy experiences for the whole family - visit London's only Planetarium at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
See John Harrison's marine timekeepers
Revolutionary timepieces that allowed ships to determine their longitude at sea
Enjoy the best view of London
Enjoy a fantastic view from the top of the hill in Greenwich Park
See the Greenwich Time Ball drop
See this bright red Time Ball, one of the world's earliest public time signals
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Choose your tickets
Royal Observatory
- Visit the Prime Meridian line
- See the best view in London
- Guaranteed entry time
- Audio guide included
- Planetarium shows not included
| Adult | from £20 |
|---|---|
| Child | from £10 |
Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass
- Save with a combo ticket
- Entry to Cutty Sark
- Entry to Royal Observatory
- Guaranteed entry time
- Planetarium shows not included
| Adult | from £30 |
|---|---|
| Child | from £15 |
Member tickets
- Unlimited free entry
- Priority booking and exclusive events
- Access using your membership card
| Membership card number required |
|---|
Become a Member
- Unlimited entry all year
- Royal Observatory
- Cutty Sark
- Planetarium Shows
- Special exhibitions
| Direct Debit | One-off |
|---|---|
| Individual: £50 | Individual: £60 |
| Family: from £60 | Family: from £70 |