Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College is the twin-domed 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 for Seamen was established in 1694 by Royal Charter for the relief and support of seamen and their dependants (the naval equivalent of Chelsea Hospital). Sir Christopher Wren planned the site 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 Painted Hall were executed by Sir James Thornhill between 1708 and 1727. 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. The grounds, Painted Hall and Chapel are open to the public daily with no admission charge.

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 around the site. Access for wheelchairs into the Chapel is provided by a Stairmate machine.

Collection details

Archaeology, Architecture, Maritime, Religion

Getting there

By DLR: Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (Zone 2/3)
By tube: Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf and change for DLR as above.
By Rail: Greenwich Zone 2 from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, London Bridge and Dartford.
By River: Greenwich Pier (Zone 2)
By Bus: 129, 177, 180, 188, 199, 286 386