28 Oct 2015
From foodie tours to river cruises, or royal re-openings and regattas, enjoy a taste of Greenwich's past and its exciting future on a short break in London.
As Greenwich asserts its position as London's fastest growing destination, the Royal Borough will play host to an ambitious and talent-filled programme of events, global launches and new openings in 2016/17.
On 20th November this year the National Maritime Museum will open 'Samuel Pepys: Plague, Fire, Revolution,' the largest ever exhibition about the famous diarist with 200 objects from national and international museums, galleries and private collections, that will run until 28th March 2016. Immerse yourself in one of the most vibrant and turbulent periods of our history, witnessed and brilliantly brought to life in the candid and witty diaries of London's own Samuel Pepys. With Pepys as your fly-on-the-wall exhibition guide, explore this period of revelry and rebirth, and of revolution and catastrophe.
While enjoying free entry to the National Maritime Museum, book your group visit to this upcoming special exhibition. Group rates are now available at £8.10 for an adult and £4.30 for children (6-15years). Contact bookings@rmg.co.uk or call 020 8312 6608 now.
The Old Royal Naval College, birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, has a fascinating history that stretches back over 500 years and is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in England. Groups of 15 or more can take a 90 minute guided tour that takes you from the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre through the landscaped grounds to the magnificent historic interiors of the Painted Hall and Chapel from £7.50 per person.
Visitors keen to learn about the conservation of the Painted Hall are invited to go on exclusive , after-hours champagne tours for groups of up to eight people. Restoration works will be taking place from 2016 with scaffolding tours allowing guests to safely ascend a platform and examine at first-hand the conservation of the Lower Hall.
To discuss your requirements and book your group tour please call 020 8269 4799, email tours@ornc.org. The heart of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site is easily accessible from here with the delights of London's only food market located on a World Heritage Site.. Recent improvement works made to Greenwich Market include a new glass roof, the restoration of the existing market cobbles and the creation of a new public open space in Fry's Court, as well as a new pavilion to extend the market in busy periods and so helping to cater better for groups. This vibrant hub of international food and collaborative creativity is one of London's best arts and craft markets, and the selection of exciting street foods changes daily.
Greenwich Market has the buzz and excitement of European food markets such as in Valencia and Barcelona, catering for all palates and with an extensive range of organic and vegan options also available. Community focused and innovative events at the Market include 'Park it in the Market,' winner of the best vintage event in London 2014 as voted by Time Out, as well as fashion shows and musical evenings.
For those with an appetite for history and culture, July 2016 will see the Queen's House transformed, to celebrate its 400th year anniversary. This beautiful royal villa was designed by Inigo Jones for James I's queen, Anne of Denmark, and completed around 1638 for Charles I's queen, Henrietta Maria. Following almost 12 months of closure visitors will be able to enjoy refurbished galleries, new displays and colour schemes; as well as the re-introduction of royally-commissioned paintings, such as Orazio Gentileschi's 'Joseph and Potiphar's Wife;' which returns to the Queen's House after 360 years.
During Easter 2017 Greenwich will host the start of the Sail Training International Rendez-vous Tall Ships Regatta to Quebec in Canada, marking the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. It will see some of the world's largest Tall Ships leave Greenwich to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. The ships will be anchored at two sites in the borough, the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greenwich town centre, and the Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich. The festival will run from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 April, with a huge Parade of Sail taking place at around 5pm on the Sunday with around 40 Tall Ships and a number of smaller Class C and D ships sailing down the Thames in convoy.
For lovers of flora and fauna, VisitEngland celebrates the Year of Gardens in 2016. London visitors are encouraged to visit the hedonistic landscaped 'pleasure' gardens surrounding the recently reopened Eltham Palace, through the eyes of millionaire owners, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, via a multimedia tour through this unique Art Deco house, adjoining medieval Great Hall and Gardens. The Queen's Orchard in Greenwich Park (London's oldest enclosed Royal Park) has also recently re-opened to reveal a lovely secluded garden area with a variety of heritage fruit trees dating back to the 1500s for visitors to enjoy.
The O2 will welcome international stars of sport and music in 2016/17 such as Disney on Ice and the adrenalin-fuelled Nitro Circus. With plans now confirmed for a luxury retail development opening at The O2 in 2017, there will be even more reason to visit the Greenwich Peninsula. Coaches receive free parking at The O2 when you pre-book Daily River Roamer or single tickets on MBNA Thames Clippers – a stress free way to arrive in Greenwich.
www.thamesclippers.com/sightseeing-leisure/park-and-glide
Greenwich is the perfect London getaway for city residents as well as travellers from further afield, being just 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of central London. The area boasts a long list of fantastic hotels including the 5 star InterContinental London The O2 for lovers of luxury and fine dining (opens December 2015), the welcoming surroundings of the four star Mercure London Greenwich, and the conveniently located and contemporary styled Novotel London Greenwich positioned next to Greenwich train and DLR station.
For more accommodation options in Greenwich, please see www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/accommodation
Visit Greenwich will be exhibiting at World Travel Market, pod 36 on the UK inbound pavilion with Royal Museums Greenwich, Greenwich Market and the Old Royal Naval College and tour operators are invited to meet us to have a chance to win a one night stay at the InterContinental London The O2 plus a host of attractions tickets. Book an appointment with us by emailing trade@visitgreenwich.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For more information about the attractions and events mentioned go to
The Destination Management Plan is available to download at www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/About
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.
