Essential Information
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Date and Times | Daily | See page for details |
| Price | Treasures Tour: £5 adult, £3.50 student, £2.50 child | Volunteer talks are free |
| Treasures Tour is free for Members. Not a member? Join now |
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has a rich history that dates back to its founding by King Charles II in 1675. Over the centuries, the Observatory firmly established itself as a pioneering place for astronomical discovery, timekeeping, and navigation.
Amongst many achievements, in its famous walls some of Britain’s greatest minds played a crucial role in solving the problem of longitude and, in 1884, the Royal Observatory was established as the location of the Prime Meridian of the World.
Uncover stories of discovery, the tales of people who made them and the objects that they used with one of our knowledgeable staff and volunteers. See our available talks, audio guides and tours below.
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Treasures Tour
Explore some of the Royal Observatory's most treasured objects, learn all about the astronomers who lived and worked here, and explore how they helped us understand space, time and navigation. This guided experience will allow you to explore the history of the site from its very first observations, all the way up to the present day.
- Timings: Tours run daily at 11am and 3pm.
- Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.
- Meeting Point: Your tour guide will meet you near the Dolphin Sundial. In inclement weather, the meeting point may move to the first room inside Flamsteed House. Ticket holders for the tour should enquire with staff on the day to check where the meeting point will be.
- Prices: £5 for adults, £3.50 for students, £2.50 for children and free for Members.
- How to book: Tickets can be purchased online or at our Admissions Desks in the Royal Observatory and Peter Harrison Planetarium.
- Suitability: Suitable for all ages, recommended ages 12+.
- Audio headsets: You will be provided with an audio headset, which can be adjusted to ensure you can hear your tour guide throughout. These headsets can be used alongside hearing aids, and tour guides can use an induction loop upon request. The headsets will be collected at the end of the tour. Please note that children under 4 will not be provided with headsets.
- Tour size: Each tour has a maximum capacity of 25 people.
Accessibility: The tour passes through several spaces that can only be accessed by stairs, and due to the historic nature of the site there may be some areas inaccessible (the Octagon Room and Great Equatorial Telescope) to visitors with access requirements. An alternative tour route may be available upon request - for those looking to attend a step-free tour, please enquire with our Bookings Team.
Before your visit
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Treasures Tour Audio Guide
Can't make the in-person Treasures Tour, or want to take things at your own pace? The audio Treasures Tour is a self-guided equivalent that you can listen to as many times as you like.
- Price: £7
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Volunteer talks
Discover the fascinating history of the Observatory and some of our most popular objects with our volunteer team. Come along to learn about the Prime Meridian, the importance of the Time Ball and the story of John Harrison and his marine timekeepers.
- Timings: Subject to availability - our Volunteer team aim to deliver daily talks, but we advise visitors to enquire with our staff on site for more information.
- Location: Talks take place in various galleries and spaces across the Observatory. Speak to staff for more information on the day.
- Price: Included with admission.
- Suitability: No age-sensitive topics discussed.
- Accessibility: Due to the historic nature of the site, some areas, such as the Great Equatorial Telescope and Octagon Room, may not be accessible. Flamsteed House and the Time and Longitude Gallery are accessible via lift.
What’s On
Find more events at the Royal Observatory.
