Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

King William Walk
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NN
England

Website

E-mail

General

info@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Guided tours

ahollier@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Film and TV location hire

iallchin@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Education

education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Telephone

Switchboard

020 8269 4747

Box office

020 8269 4799

Fax

020 8269 4757

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

The Old Royal Naval College is the great baroque masterpiece of English architecture, set in landscaped grounds on the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. The UNESCO designation recognises the site as being of "outstanding universal value", as Greenwich comprises the finest and most dramatically sited architectural and landscape ensemble in the British Isles. Greenwich Hospital was established in 1694 by Royal Charter for the relief and support of seamen and their dependants and for the improvement of navigation. Sir Christopher Wren planned the site, described as "one of the most sublime sights English architecture affords", and during the first half of the eighteenth century various illustrious architects, such as Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh, completed Wren's grand design. The elaborate ceiling and wall paintings in the Great Hall (known as the "Painted Hall") were executed by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726. The Chapel was restored by James "Athenian" Stuart after a fire in 1779.
In 1869 the Hospital was closed, and in 1873 the complex of buildings became the Royal Naval College , where officers from all over the world came to train in the naval sciences.
In 1998 the Royal Navy left Greenwich and handed over responsibility for the site to the Greenwich Foundation. In the Autumn of 1999 three buildings on the site were let to the University of Greenwich, and they were joined in October 2001 by Trinity College of Music, who lease the King Charles block. The remainder of the site is run as a heritage visitor attraction by the Greenwich Foundation. The grounds, Painted Hall and Chapel are open to the public daily with no admission charge.

Venue Type:

Museum, Architecture centre, Ship or maritime heritage site

Opening hours

The Painted Hall and Chapel are open to visitors daily between 10am and 5pm. The grounds of the Old Royal Naval College are open daily from 8.00 to 18.00.

Guided tours are available at £5 per person, lasting approximately 90 minutes (free for children under 16).
Daily tours run at 11.30 and 14.00 please call for availability.

In the Chapel, a service of worship is held every Sunday at 11.00, to which all are welcome.

The College will be closed to the public on 24, 25 & 26 December.
The Chapel and/or Painted Hall may occasionally be closed at short notice, please see the website for updates.

Admission charges

Admission to the Old Royal Naval College: Free
(includes Painted Hall, Chapel and grounds)

Group tours: £5 a head
(features parts of the College not generally open to the public. Please see the website for full details)

General services and facilities

Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Guided tours
Information point provided
Pre-booking service for groups
Cafeteria
Picnic area
Refreshments
Restaurant

Children and families

Activities for pre-school children
Events and resources for children and families
Baby changing facilities

Disability access

Braille information and/or interpretation
Large print information and/or interpretation
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to all public areas

Schools services and facilities

Direct teaching services for schools
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Education facilities available

Commercial and hire services

Licensed for weddings
Facilities for private functions and events
Meeting room available

Additional info

Please contact us on 020 8269 4799 if you require wheelchair access and we can send you information regarding the step-free route on site. Access for wheelchairs into the Chapel and Painted Hall is provided by a Stairmate machine.

King William Walk
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NN
England

Website

Old Royal Naval College

www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org

The Painted Hall

www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/the-painted-hall/

The Chapel

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/the-chapel/

Events

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/events/

Visit us

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/visit-us,8,AT.html

E-mail

General

info@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Guided tours

ahollier@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Film and TV location hire

iallchin@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Education

education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Telephone

Switchboard

020 8269 4747

Box office

020 8269 4799

Fax

020 8269 4757

Collection details

Archaeology, Architecture, Maritime, Religion

King William Walk
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NN
England

Website

Old Royal Naval College

www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org

The Painted Hall

www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/the-painted-hall/

The Chapel

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/the-chapel/

Events

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/events/

Visit us

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/visit-us,8,AT.html

E-mail

General

info@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Guided tours

ahollier@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Film and TV location hire

iallchin@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Education

education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Telephone

Switchboard

020 8269 4747

Box office

020 8269 4799

Fax

020 8269 4757

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.

Face to face resources

Art and Design

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege/learning

The Old Royal Naval College offers a range of opportunities for informal drawing and sketching sessions, such as figurative drawing, architectural details, perspective and chiaroscuro. We can offer a variety of materials and props to facilitate posing and sketching activities in the inspiring environment of the Painted Hall. Suitable for Key Stage 3 and above. Group size: One Class.

How to obtain

We offer a variety of creative and vocational workshops and study days for Key Stage 3 and above. We are happy to tailor any of our programmes to suit the needs of individual groups. For more information please contact Jo Hall on 020 8269 4715 or education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Chapel Tours

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/learning

Discover the beautiful neoclassical Chapel at the Old Royal Naval College. Worksheets and other resources are available to help your pupils explore this Christian place of Worship. Suitable for Key Stage 1 or 2.
Group size: One class.
Duration: 1 hour.

How to obtain

If you would like to book a workshop or find out more about our education programme, please contact
Melissa Lurie or Vicky Carmichael on 020 8269 4715/ 4711 or email education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk.
This workshop is free, but must be booked in advance.

Cultural Enrichment Days

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

We offer cultural enrichment days designed to explore the history of the site through creative workshops. Activities can be tailored to suit different age groups and curriculum areas. Suitable for Key Stage 3 and above.

How to obtain

English - Creative Writing Days

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

Students use the fascinating characters and unusual locations of the Old Royal Naval College to inspire them in their personal and creative writing. Suitable for Key Stage 3 and above.

How to obtain

Heritage Craft Taster Days

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/learning

These workshops encourage students to consider a career in the built heritage sector. Aimed at Year 9 students with an interest in DT, Art and Design or History, the days include a carousel of activities: stone carving, gilding and imitation marbling, as well as careers advice and information. This programme is sponsored by ConstructionSkills and DBR (London) Ltd and run in partnership with the Building Crafts College.
Taster Days will be available from January 2010.
Duration: All day.
Group size: 24

How to obtain

For more information please contact Jo Hall on 020 8269 4715 or education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk

Impossible Creatures

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

Using the many hybrid and imaginary creatures that appear in the Painted Hall, this session encourages children to think about how animals have been used as symbols in art. Children then create their own impossible creatures using a range of materials. Suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2.
Group size: One Class.
Duration: Half day for Key Stage 1/full day for Key Stage 2.

How to obtain

Meet John Deman: Caribbean Sailor and Greenwich Pensioner

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

Meet John Deman and hear about his journey from the Caribbean to Britain with Nelson's fleet and his life as a Greenwich Hospital Pensioner. In this exciting living history experience children will find out about life at sea and the uniform, daily life, crimes and punishments at the Hospital during the early Victorian Period. This interactive workshop includes role play, trying on replica costumes and a visit to our real Victorian Skittle Alley! Suitable for Key Stage 2.
Group size: One class.
Duration: 2 hours.

How to obtain

Meet the Buildings

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/learning

Children will become architecture detectives, spotting and sketching inside and out, exploring the design and materials to piece together the history of the site. Suitable for Key Stage 2.
Group size: One class.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours.

How to obtain

Myths and Masks

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

Come and explore the myths of the Painted Hall in this lively storytelling session. Children will investigate classical gods, goddesses, monsters and heroes through roleplay and mask making. A drama extension activity is also available. Suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2.
Group size: One Class.
Duration: 2 hours.

How to obtain

Pattern and Shape

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/learning

An interactive session that explores the maths behind the architecture and decorative work around the site. Children will investigate shape and symmetry in the Painted Hall and Chapel and then create their own patterns. An imaginative way to study maths outside the classroom. Suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2.
Group size: one class.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours.

How to obtain

Tactile Tales

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

This multi-sensory storytelling session uses our unique tactile rug to engage young children with the imagery in the Painted Hall. Find out about kings, queens, monsters and sailors through stories, song, role play and object handling. This tactile resource is accessible for children with visual impairment. Suitable for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
Group size: 15 pupils.
Duration: 45 minutes.

How to obtain

Tudor Workshops: What-Ho Henry

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org.uk/learning

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII becoming King, we are offering Tudor-themed workshops led by costumed performers. Children will be given the opportunity to play the main roles in an interactive performance of Henry's life which explores his six marriages and the religious and social transformation of England. Children will also learn about life for the rich and poor in Tudor times through dance and games workshops. Suitable for Key Stage 2.
Group size: 2 Classes.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.

How to obtain

This workshop is available on 10, 11, 12, 22, 23, and 24 June 2009.
If you would like to book a workshop or find out more about our education programme, please contact
Melissa Lurie or Vicky Carmichael on 020 8269 4715/ 4711 or email education@greenwichfoundation.org.uk.
This session is free, but booking is essential.

King William Walk
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NN
England