Essential Information

Type Events and festivals
Location
Date and Times 9-10 March 2024 | 10am-5pm
Prices Free

Every year, the Queen’s House closes to prepare for new displays. Artworks are switched around and new acquisitions placed in the galleries. 

Now, after a six week closure, the Queen’s House is opening its doors once more. To celebrate, we’ve got a series of free tours, talks and trails on offer, showcasing the artistic wonders to see. 

Come and admire old favourites, new additions and discover the highlights of the Queen’s House collection. 

Event programme

Image
A pastel portrait of a female naval officer looking to the side and wearing a blue uniform and a hat

Saturday 9 March

Women's History Month self-guided trail

10am-5pm, various rooms

To mark Women’s History Month, follow our free pop-up trail highlighting over 20 fascinating artworks produced by women artists or depicting important women. 

Talk: Women in Uniform 

11am and 4pm, Assistant Master’s Dining Room 

Portrait of a Wren Officer (pictured) has recently joined Royal Museums Greenwich’s collection and is now on display at the Queen’s House. This free talk will explore women’s contributions to the two World Wars and beyond. 

Talk: The Ceilings of the Queen’s House

11.30am and 3.30pm, starting at the Great Hall 

The Queen’s House was at the cutting edge of art and architecture when it was completed for Queen Henrietta Maria in the 1630s.

This free talk will reveal more about the artists who created artworks for the ceilings of this former royal residence.

Talk: The Armada Portrait 

12pm and 2pm, Queen’s Presence Chamber 

The Armada Portrait commemorates the most famous conflict of Queen Elizabeth I's reign: the failed invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in summer 1588.

This free talk will explore different aspects of this iconic and powerful portrait of Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen’s House Highlights Tour 

12.30pm and 2.30pm, various rooms 

Loggia

The Queen’s House highlights tour is back. This free tour will explore aspects related to the architecture and the history of this ‘House of Delights’.

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

  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected from the Queen’s House Admissions desk on the day. They will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. 
  • Access: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the Queen’s House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps. 
  • Suitability: Due to health and safety reasons, children under 12 cannot access the balcony. 

Talk: Olaudah Equiano 

1.30pm, King’s Bedchamber 

Olaudah Equiano was a key figure in the fight to end the slave trade within the British Empire. This free talk will reveal important facts of his life. 

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Sunday 10 March

Women's History Month self-guided trail

10am-5pm, various rooms 

To mark Women’s History Month, follow our free pop-up trail highlighting over 20 fascinating artworks produced by women artists or depicting important women. 

Talk: The Queens Consort

11am and 2pm, Queen’s Antechamber 

The construction of the Queen’s House was initiated for Anne of Denmark and completed for Henrietta Maria, two queens consorts.

This free talk will explore the changing role of the queen consort throughout history. 

Talk: The Ceilings of the Queen’s House 

11.30am and 3.30pm, starting at the Great Hall 

A close up view of the ceiling decoration in the Great Hall of the Queen's House. Contemporary gold leaf detailing on the left complements the historic plasterwork on the right

The Queen’s House was at the cutting edge of art and architecture when it was completed for Queen Henrietta Maria in the 1630s.

This free talk will reveal more about the artists who created artworks for the ceilings of the Queen’s House. 

Talk: Women in Uniform 

12pm and 4pm, Assistant Master’s Dining Room 

Portrait of a Wren Officer has recently joined our collection and is now on display at the Queen’s House. This free talk will explore women’s contributions to the two World Wars and beyond. 

Image
A sculpture of a man, showing only his head, shoulders and the front of his torso. Broken chains and shackles round his neck point to the man's history as a formerly enslaved person, who earned his freedom and later become an important figure in the abolitionist movement

The Queen’s House Highlights Tour 

12.30pm and 2.30pm, various rooms 

The Queen’s House highlights tour is back. This free tour will explore aspects related to the architecture and the history of this ‘House of Delights’.

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

  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected from the Queen’s House Admissions desk on the day. They will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. 
  • Access: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the Queen’s House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps. 
  • Suitability: Due to health and safety reasons, children under 12 cannot access the balcony. 

Talk: Olaudah Equiano 

1.30pm, King’s Bedchamber 

Olaudah Equiano (pictured) was a key figure in the fight to end the slave trade within the British Empire. This free talk will reveal important facts of his life. 

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
The Sailor [Maurice Alan Easton] - Cropped
Talks and tours

The Queen's House Curator Tour: The Art of Naval Portraiture

Join Dr Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art at Royal Museums Greenwich, for a unique tour of the Queen’s House, exploring the complex and often surprising history of naval portraiture
8 and 22 May, 5 and 20 June 2025 | Tours start at 3.30pm
Adult: £5; Adult (includes a signed copy of the book): £20 | Adult Member: Free; Adult Member (includes a signed copy of the book): £18
Queen's House
Portraits of Queen Consort Henrietta Maria and King Charles I
Events and festivals

Charles I & Henrietta Maria: 400th wedding anniversary

King Charles I and Queen Consort Henrietta Maria invite you to celebrate their landmark wedding anniversary with a programme of activities at the Queen's House
From 11 to 23 May 2025 (see page for details)
Varying prices (see page for details)
Queen's House
A woman looks at the painting of Elizabeth I known as the 'Armada Portrait', hanging in the Queen's House
Workshops

Artist Masterclass: Portraits Drawing Workshop

Develop your portrait skills in this special guided workshop, led by artists Federico Baeza-Autillo and Sarah E Shaw
Select Fridays and Sundays between May and September 2025 | 10.15am-12pm
Adult: £20 (plus £3 booking fee per booking), Adult Member: £15.00
Queen's House
Queen's House Loggia
Experiences

Queen's House Classic Treasures Tour with drinks on the balcony

Head to Greenwich for a new refreshing and effervescent tour experience
Select Sundays between May and September 2025 | Tour at 3.30pm
Adult: £20 (plus £3 booking fee per booking); Adult Members: £15
Queen's House
Black and white illustration from an edition of Treasure Island. The scene shows Long John Silver and the pirates as they discover what they believe to be buried treasure
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Lecture: A Pirate of Exquisite Mind

Hear historian Diana Preston discuss the remarkable life of William Dampier, the subject of her bestselling biography, A Pirate of Exquisite Mind.
Thursday 15 May 2025 l 6.30pm
Free | Members only
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 Wednesdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House