The Old Royal Naval College - Painted Hall Tickets
Old Royal Naval College
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Explore the magnificent Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College
The story of Greenwich starts here with 600 years of history. Take an award-winning tour of this magnificent 17-acre riverside estate - part of the Greenwich UNESCO world heritage site.
Marvel at Sir Christopher Wren’s spectacular architecture, learn of the fascinating 600-year story of this site, including being the birthplace of Henry VIII and visit the breath-taking Painted Hall (known as the UK's Sistine chapel), which took 19 years to paint.
This is one of the most popular filming locations in the world including The Crown, Les Misérables, Thor: The Dark World, Cruella, Bridgerton and many more – book a film tour to find out what goes on behind the scenes and some trade secrets.
What's included in my Old Royal Naval Painted Hall tickets?
- Painted Hall entry
- Multimedia guide (available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and British Sign Language)
- Award-winning expert-led talks in the Painted Hall*
- 600 Years of History tours: 45-minute guided history tour of the spectacular grounds*
- Free family activities
- Access to Discover Greenwich
- Explorer Map for navigating your way around the site
Experience one of the best things to do in London at the Painted Hall in Greenwich
Commissioned in the late 17th century as a ceremonial dining hall for retired sailors, the hall's walls and ceiling were transformed by artist Sir James Thornhill. The iconic paintings depict scenes of British naval prowess, allegorical figures, royal figures, and Greek gods.
On your visit to the Painted Hall, you'll marvel at the intricate details and vivid colors of Thornhill's masterpiece. The grandeur and storytelling within the hall's artwork will take you on a captivating journey through British history and culture.
Greater London SE10 9NN
How to Find Us
By Train
Greenwich Station is only 8 minutes by train from London Bridge. Old Royal Naval College is also a short walk from Maze Hill train station.
Mainline rail services run from Cannon Street, London Bridge and Dartford to Greenwich (South Eastern) and twice an hour (once an hour at weekends) from Luton, West Hampstead, Kings Cross St Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars and stations from Rainham, Kent (Thameslink).
You can also take the DLR from Greenwich Station for one stop to Cutty Sark DLR.
By Bus
129 North Greenwich (O2) – Greenwich
177 Peckham – New Cross – Deptford Bridge – Greenwich – Woolwich – Thamesmead
180 Lewisham – Greenwich – Woolwich – Plumstead – Abbey Wood – Thamesmead
188 Russell Square – Aldwych – Waterloo – Elephant and Castle – Surrey Quays – Greenwich
199 Canada Water – Greenwich – Lewisham – Catford
286 Sidcup – Eltham – Kidbrooke – Greenwich
386 Woolwich – Shooters Hill – Greenwich (Mon – Sat)
By London Underground
Take the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf and change to the DLR. You can also take the Jubilee Line to North Greenwich (the O2) and then take either bus 188 or 129 which stop outside the Old Royal Naval College on Romney Road.
By Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
Cutty Sark DLR is a three minute walk away from the Old Royal Naval College.
The DLR connects to a number of other transport options at the following stations:
London Underground (Tube): change at Bank to connect to Central, Northern and Waterloo and City lines. You can also change at Bank for Monument station which connects to the District and Circle lines. Canary Wharf connects to the Jubilee line. You can change at Tower Gateway for District and Circle lines from Tower Hill station.
Trains: Lewisham, Stratford, Limehouse and Greenwich all connect to different train lines which connect to a number of railway lines connecting London with the surrounding areas.
- Undercroft Café
- The Old Brewery pub
- Toilets
- Gift Shops
A visit to Old Royal Naval College should take at least an hour to an hour and a half, leaving you enough time to see the Painted Hall and explore the beautiful grounds.
Its vast decorative scheme was painted by Sir James Thornhill, the first British artist to be knighted. Started in 1707, it took 19 years to complete. The paintings celebrate England's naval power and mercantile prosperity, as well as its newly installed protestant monarchy.
The college was established in buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1696 and 1712, then intended to serve as the Greenwich Hospital, a home for disabled sailors.