Whether it's pirate ships and jumbo jets, or wildlife and war stories; Greenwich is the perfect spot for a curriculum-crammed family stay in London.

With a packed schedule of summer events including food festivals, free family theatre and art events as well as the spectacle of the majestic Tall Ships to look forward to, there are plenty of reasons to go to Greenwich over the summer holidays.

And family fun doesn't have to mean limited kids' menus and wet weekends, the treasures of the sea and skies can be explored with complimentary backpacks and adventure trails and even free entry into the Cutty Sark, Flamsteed House and the Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, for under 5s . Regular planetarium shows such as Dark Universe and Space Safari at the Royal Observatory mean the whole family can enjoy the wonders of the solar system, whatever their age.

For time travellers aged 6-12 years there is also the ground-breaking new show 'Against Captains Orders' at the National Maritime Museum which takes children on a fascinating journey through the venue's history and artefacts. The show ends on 31st August and tickets have been reduced to £15 in this final month. The museum's  unique setting within the World Heritage Site also means the stunning Greenwich Park is just a few steps away for when little ones are keen to get back to jumping in muddy puddles.

Adrenalin junkies can lift their energy levels by taking alternative routes between attractions such as taking to the skies by cable car on the Emirates Air Line or jumping on a Thames RIB past the iconic setting of The O2. Greenwich offers 'culture without the car seats,' with the added bonus of smaller queues than many of central London's venues and simple routes in via the DLR, riverboat or mainline train.

The Old Royal Naval College is home to The Painted Hall, part of the backdrop for Disney film Cinderella, the Chapel and Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre. Organised activities are on offer throughout the summer holiday period including drawing competitions, story-gathering activities and craft workshops such as during Family Art Week, happening from 18th August.

Princesses and pleasure seekers are also invited to open the 1930's dressing-up box and wander the halls at Eltham Palace, with five newly refurbished rooms and 19 acres of stunning gardens as well as a brand new wooden adventure playground, conservatory cafe and tempting gift shop. This part-showpiece of Art Deco design and part medieval royal palace is open Sun -Thurs from 10-6pm.

This summer Greenwich Theatre is showing family favourite 'Pinocchio' from 5-23 August and there is a special reading of 'The Gingerbread Man' from actor and author David Wood on Tuesday 25th August. The theatre is also taking part in the hugely popular 'Kids Week' event that offers free children's theatre tickets across London from 1st - 31st August.

If the sun does put its hat on before schools start the Tall Ships are coming to town for 5 days over the August Bank Holiday. Up to 15 Tall Ships will be arriving at Woolwich Arsenal Riverside for a maritime family festival with a firework display building the excitement on Saturday 29 August between 12noon and 10pm.  Shipmates can get on board for daily Tall Ship sails along the river, passing East London's landmarks en route to Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and Tower Bridge. Visitors can head to 'Ship Island' to see two of the biggest Class A tall ships - the Dar Mlodziezy and Santa Maria Manuela, which will be moored in the river off Greenwich. A ticket for this experience includes a trip from either London Bridge City Pier or Greenwich Pier on a MBNA Thames Clippers boat and an hour tour of the two ships with a chance to speak to cadets and hear fascinating stories about life at sea and the rigging, history and navigation of the ships.

And finally in September the Totally Thames festival takes place from 1-30th Sept and the relatively new, but already much-anticipated, 'On Blackheath' festival runs from 12-14th. This fantastic event gives families the opportunity to take part in hula-hooping lessons, chef clubs and magical story sessions; and with foodie displays from Hemsley & Hemsley and DJ BBQ, mums and dads will be just as keen to join in the fun.

With nearly 6 weeks of the summer holidays left and so many places to discover, Greenwich is the perfect solution for a short break in London come rain, hail or shine.  The area's extensive accommodation offer means that families can stay a few days and prepare for a fun-filled schedule without blowing the budget.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact: Laura Young at Show Pony Publicity on 07919 004 116 or at laura@showponyevents.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Events 

1. Kids Week

http://www.kidsweek.co.uk/

1. Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival - Sail Royal Greenwich – Tall Ship Island

For information about visits to Ship Island and to sail on a Tall Ship go to:

http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/tallships2015

http://www.sailroyalgreenwich.co.uk/

Tickets can be purchased at:

http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/sail-royal-greenwich-2015/

1. Totally Thames - 1-30th Sept    no reference to this in main body though?

 www.totallythames.org

1. On Blackheath Festival - 12 & 13th Sept

 www.onblackheath.com

1. Magners Comedy Festival 16-20th Sept

 www.greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk

1. Against Captain's Orders at the National Maritime Museum

http://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/events/against-captains-orders

1. The Old Royal Naval College

https://www.ornc.org/Event/summer-holidays-at-the-ornc

Family Food Favourites:

1. The Even Keel Café at Cutty Sark

www.harbourandjones.com/the-even-keel-cafe 

1. Biscuit Ceramic Cafe

www.biscuit-biscuit.com

1. Big Red Pizza Bus

www.bigredpizza.co.uk

1. Dial Arch pub, Royal Arsenal Riverside

www.dialarch.com

1. The Visitor Centre and Cafe at Eltham Palace

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eltham-palace-and-gardens/things-to-do

For more information about the attractions and events mentioned please go to:

www.visitgreenwich.org.uk

About Visit Greenwich

Visit Greenwich is a private sector led destination management company, supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, with the aim of growing the visitor economy and raising the profile of Greenwich for the benefit of businesses, visitors and residents.  A public/private partnership led by a board of tourism professionals, representing different sectors of the industry, with an independent chair, Visit Greenwich works with local visitor attractions, accommodation providers, transport operators, meetings and events venues, the hospitality and retail sector and local businesses to promote Greenwich as a visitor destination for leisure and business.

Set alongside the river Thames in south east London, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is one of London's most popular visitor destinations, stretching from the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, eastwards to cross the Prime Meridian of the World to Greenwich Peninsula for The O2 and the Emirates Air Line cable car, and onwards to the historic Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, Eltham, Charlton and Blackheath.