Greenwich History Tour: Thames & Maritime Power

Greenwich, just a short trip down the Thames from London, was an important port and center of naval activity for the British over several centuries. On this Thames River cruise to Greenwich tour, we'll spend several hours visiting some key sites in Greenwich, including the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark.

We begin at Embankment in central London, where we'll board the Clipper riverboats with our expert guide, heading east. Our journey will take us through the heart of London, and from our vantage point, royal palaces and modern government buildings will illuminate the river's role as a power base, while old warehouses and wharves will illustrate the working river, and bridges will tell the story of the areas previously divided by the River. Along the way, our guide will talk about the role of the river, especially as it pertains to Britain's relationship with the sea. Finally, we'll arrive in Greenwich, home to the Royal Observatory, the Queen's House, the newly restored Cutty Sark, and many more important sites.

On our Greenwich London Tour, we will begin our walk by discussing the world-famous ship and last surviving tea clipper, the Cutty Sark, which will function as a frame of reference during our walk. From here, we will move on to other relevant sites including the Old Royal Naval College, where we will discuss the history of the site, from its origins as a royal palace favored by the Tudors and birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, through its complete Baroque rebuilding during the Restoration, to its transformation into the Royal Naval Hospital, and, finally, into a college under the supervision of Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor. This will also provide an opportunity to witness the UK’s answer to the Sistine Chapel: the Painted Hall, an epic 18th-century masterpiece now reopened following an £8.5-million makeover.

If time allows, our guide will lead us to lesser-known, yet equally intriguing, parts of Greenwich, including Trinity Hospital and Trafalgar Tavern. Then, we will emerge into Greenwich Park, with scenic views of the first Palladian House in Britain, the Queen’s House, and the National Maritime Museum. Beyond the perfectly manicured lawns of the Park, a path through the trees leads us to a hill on which the Royal Observatory and Flamsteed House are built. Once we reach the top of the hill, we are presented with a wonderful view of London, both old and new, spread out before us with the River Thames cutting a silver ribbon through the city, separating the historic site of Greenwich from the modern buildings of Olympic Park.

By the end of the tour, we will have a deeper understanding of the important role that the River Thames has played in British naval and mercantile history. We will also come away with an appreciation of London as a city that constantly changes, but that also prioritizes the preservation of its history—something we will see first-hand in Greenwich, a microcosm of the unique dualities that exist in London.

We meet in central London, at Embankment Pier. The tour ends in Greenwich, where you are free to explore on your own or get lunch. It's very easy to get back to central London on your own via the Clipper Thames. Ferries are frequent throughout the day.

Does this tour include the Royal Observatory Greenwich (home of the historic Prime Meridian)?
No, the tour does not visit the Royal Observatory. It sits atop a hill overlooking Greenwich, which requires a bit of a climb to reach.

The Thames Clippers are fully accessible just like the sites in Greenwich. However, the tour does involve a steep hill up to the Royal Observatory, which may be difficult for some. If you have mobility concerns, please feel free to contact us before booking

Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Yes! We have some excellent family-friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide.

You are prepaid for the tour but are responsible for the Clipper Thames tickets to Greenwich. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time, or at the meeting point. Oyster cards can be used on the Clipper Thames.