Greenwich

The London Borough of Greenwich, which is situated on south of the River Thames, is home to a host of attractions, and recognised internationally for its military and naval connections and as the home of Greenwich Mean Time. Famous sites in Greenwich include the Cutty Sark Clipper Ship (www.cuttysark.org.uk), built in 1869, Greenwich Market (www.greenwich-market.co.uk), and the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The latter was designed by the famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century and is home to the Greenwich Meridian, the prime meridian of the world, responsible for setting the world clock on zero degrees longitude. The National Maritime Museum (www.nmm.ac.uk), the largest maritime museum in the world, and the Old Royal Naval College (www.greenwichfoundation.org.uk), which began life as Greenwich Hospital in 1694 to treat seamen, are also located in Greenwich. The borough has an historic past and was the birthplace of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. It also boasts many green spaces including Greenwich Park (www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/greenwich_park), which forms one of eight royal parks in the capital and is the only royal park in East London; it is actually home to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum and the Old Royal Naval College. The Millennium Dome (www.millennium-dome.com) is also situated in Greenwich and is visible high above London’s skyline. Greenwich town centre and park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, under the name ‘Maritime Greenwich’. The whole area boasts a wide selection of restaurants and shops, and is a magnet for shoppers in search of interesting or unusual gifts or souvenirs.