There is so much to experience in Greenwich this summer including the newly opened Eltham Palace and the brand new Peninsula Garden, a new green space with its own kitchen garden, orchard, beehives and smokehouse, and an amphitheatre hosting music, cinema and outdoor theatre; so it makes sense to stay for a few days. The Mercure Greenwich boutique hotel are currently offering rates from £99.00 for bed and breakfast throughout May.

As well as being famous for iconic landmarks such as Cutty Sark, The O2 and the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, including the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich is attracting a whole new audience with food and craft beer festivals, urban fetes and world-class music events. The area has great independent shopping with cool boutiques and much-loved vintage stores, galleries and antique shops as well as highly-acclaimed gastro hubs and stylish bars and even a new concept 'spa cafe' putting on yoga classes and serving fresh juices. Travelling foodies would be missing a trick too if they didn't head to the recently refurbished historical food market for scrumptious street-food from around the globe.

This summer the living film set of Greenwich will be open to visitors from all over the world who are keen to see the Old Royal Naval College where Johnny Depp battled the elements in 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' and the Painted Hall we saw transformed into Prince Charming's Palace in Disney's film 'Cinderella.' The scene will be set for an action-packed event programme across the location that includes the spectacular Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, the exclusive Greenwich Music Time and a long list of free events, trails and workshops for families including free access to the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House for under 5's during May half term; and free theatre tickets during Kids Week throughout August.

Visitors will be able to enjoy discount offers as well as a fantastic programme of completely free events, discounted tickets and connected offers across the area for school holidays, short weekend breaks and overnight adventures. Families can experience the ease and adventure of a short break in Greenwich and even manage to complete the holiday homework and in the great British tradition, whether it's an afternoon of astronomy in the Planetarium at the Royal Observatory, a tour of the museums and historical buildings or lunch at the covered food market - Greenwich is the best 'rainy day' location in London.

With such a strong accommodation offer that caters for all budgets, including several affordable and stylish boutique hotels and quirky B&Bs as well as the large international hotels with the 453-room luxury Intercontinental hotel opening in the Winter, Greenwich can be the perfect base for an affordable weekend in London. If there is time to fit in anything else, the city is just a 10 minute commute away via the DLR and London Underground.

May Half Term Events

1. Greenwich Children's Theatre Festival - 23-31st May

http://www.glypt.co.uk/shows/gctf15/

1. Brew Fest - 23-25th May

http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/brewfest-spring-2015-meantime

1. Meet The Time Travellers

http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/meet-time-travellers-nevil-maskelyne

1. The Art Deco Fair at Eltham Palace

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eltham-palace-and-gardens/

1. Out of This World Activity Mornings at Planetarium at the Royal Observatory

http://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/events/out-of-this-world

1. Nature Detectives at The Royal Greenwich Park

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/greenwich-park/things-to-see-and-do/upcoming-events-in-greenwich-park

Top Events for 2015

1. Greenwich Book Festival - 22-24th May

www.greenwichbookfest.com

1. Greenwich Film Festival - 13/14th June

http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200006/arts_and_entertainment/503/the_royal_greenwich_festivals

1. Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, 20-28 June

http://www.festival.org/festival/

1. Greenwich Music Time, 22-25 July

www.greenwichmusictime.co.uk

1. Kids Week (free and discount theatre tickets in London throughout August)

www.kidsweek.co.uk

1. Sail Royal Greenwich, 29-30 Aug

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

1. Totally Thames, all Sept

www.totallythames.org

1. Greenwich Comedy Festival, 6-12 Sept tbc

http://greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk/

1. On Blackheath Festival , 12-13 Sept

www.onblackheath.com

1. Open House London,19-20 Sept

www.openhouselondon.org.uk/

1. ATP at The O2, 15-22 November

www.greenwich.co.uk/barclays-atp-world-tour-finals/

1. National Maritime Museum - Samuel Pepys: Plague, Fire and Revolution

20 November 2015–28 March 2016

www.rmg.co.uk/about/press/exhibitions-2015

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

Notes to Editors:

For more information about the attractions and events mentioned 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.