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The Old Royal Naval College - home to the Painted Hall

4.5 (105)
London, GB
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The Old Royal Naval College - home to the Painted Hall

4.5 (105)
London, GB
Share
Experience the rich history and breathtaking beauty of The Old Royal Naval College, home to the famous Painted Hall. Embark on an award-winning tour of this magnificent 17-acre riverside estate, nestled within the Greenwich UNESCO world heritage site. Marvel at the spectacular architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and immerse yourself in the fascinating 600-year story of this iconic site, including its connection to Henry VIII. The crown jewel of your visit is the awe-inspiring Painted Hall, often referred to as the UK's Sistine Chapel, which took an astonishing 19 years to complete. Step into the world of cinema as you explore one of the most popular film locations, featured in blockbusters like The Crown, Les Misérables, and Bridgerton. Uncover the trade secrets and behind-the-scenes insights with a film tour. From guided tours and multimedia guides in seven languages to the chance to try Victorian bowling in the Skittle Alley, The Old Royal Naval College promises an unforgettable experience. Book now and let history come alive before your eyes.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 1 hours 30 minutes - 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-9 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Magnificent 17-acre riverside estate
  • Breath-taking Painted Hall (UK's Sistine chapel)
  • Fascinating 600-year history of the site
  • Popular filming location for over 100 films
  • Award-winning guided tour with expert guides
  • Multi lingual Audio guide of Painted Hall included. (in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German and Japanese). Guided Painted Hall talks run every 30 minutes from 11 -4pm
  • Entry to the Visitor Centre
  • Guided Tours of the Estate leave the Visitor Centre every hour from 11am - 3pm

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More about this experience

Introduction

The Old Royal Naval College, situated in Greenwich, London, is an iconic historic site that encapsulates over 600 years of captivating history. This 17-acre riverside estate, a part of the Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases the magnificent architecture of Sir Christopher Wren and offers visitors a fascinating journey through time. Immerse yourself in the birthplace of Henry VIII and explore the renowned Painted Hall, often referred to as the UK's Sistine Chapel, where walls adorned with 19 years of intricate artwork will leave you awe-inspired.

What to expect?

When you visit the Old Royal Naval College, expect to embark on a 90 to 120-minute adventure that delves deep into the rich tapestry of history. Begin your tour at the Visitor Centre, where an expert guide will lead you through the site. Gain insights into the intriguing stories surrounding this former Greenwich Palace and witness firsthand the impressive masterpiece that is the Painted Hall. As you stroll through the estate, discover the famous film locations that have utilized this historic backdrop for cinematic grandeur.

Who is this for?

This experience is ideal for history enthusiasts, architecture admirers, art lovers, and film aficionados alike. Whether you're a local Londoner seeking to uncover the secrets of your city or a seasoned traveler thirsty for knowledge, the Old Royal Naval College guarantees an enriching experience for all. Its diverse offerings cater to a wide range of interests and ages, making it a must-visit destination for families, friends, solo explorers, or couples seeking a cultural and educational outing.

Why book this?

Booking a visit to the Old Royal Naval College promises a memorable experience that seamlessly merges education, awe-inspiring beauty, and a taste of movie magic. Wander through the expansive estate, marvel at the architecture that has stood the test of time, and bask in the splendor of the Painted Hall. As you follow the footsteps of history, you'll also discover the hidden stories behind countless blockbuster films that have utilized this historical gem as their backdrop. The secrets of Bridgerton, The Crown, Les Misérables, and many more will be revealed as you delve into the behind-the-scenes insights offered by the Film Tour.

Good to know

To fully immerse yourself in the experience, take advantage of the guided tours departing from the Visitor Centre every hour. Multilingual multimedia guides are also available, ensuring that language is not a barrier to your enjoyment. Additionally, don't miss the opportunity to test your skills at Victorian bowling in the Skittle Alley, open from 12-3pm. With a visit to the Old Royal Naval College, you'll leave with a newfound appreciation for history, art, and the magic of the silver screen.

Reviews

Visitors rave about the captivating journey offered by the Old Royal Naval College. They praise the knowledgeable guides who bring the site's history to life and the breathtaking beauty of the Painted Hall. Many are thrilled to discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of their favorite films, making the experience even more special. Overall, visitors express their satisfaction with this historically rich and culturally significant tour.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Old Royal Naval College

Take a tour of this magnificent 17 acre riverside estate & learn of the fascinating 600 year story of this site, formerly Greenwich Palace - the birthplace of Henry VIII. Home to the breath-taking Painted Hall (known as the UK's Sistine Chapel), which took 19 years to Paint. The award winning site tour is included in your visit. It departs from the Visitor Centre hourly throughout the day with expert guides. As the tour progresses, popular film locations will be pointed out, or take the Blockbuster Film tour to get some behind the scenes insights as to why this is one of the the most used film location in the world. Over 100 films in nearly 100 years including: The Crown, Les Miserables, Thor: The Dark World, Cruella, Bridgerton and many more.

Admission Included

Reviews

(105)

4.5 (105)

81asta_

The guide Jim was extreemelly pleasant and inventive in his show. We like the tour very much. And so nice paintings definitelly worth to see!

29gintar_

Very lovely place, lots to see. Our guide Jim was great and even took us on another short tour of the grounds after the painted hall. Would recommend a visit if you are in London

Patricia_L

I had Peter give me a personal tour of the hall(Because there was no one else there requiring a guided tour) and then the church Next Door. He was absolutely brilliant, personable and friendly. Couldn’t have had a better docent. Thank you so much, Peter. Patricia

sstaley

I paid a surprise visit to an old friend in Greenwich, and our impromptu decision turned out to be quite rewarding. The content of the building and the surrounding views were truly captivating. Notably, the iconic Painted Hall has earned the reputation of being the UK’s Sistine Chapel. If you happen to visit between December and February. They have an exhibition on 2023 "Museum of the Moon." This year features "Coalescence" by designer Paul Cocksedge, making its London debut against the stunning backdrop of the Painted Hall. The installation, crafted from over 2,500 pieces of coal – equivalent to the amount consumed by a single 200W light bulb in a year, is a unique spectacle. The venue also hosts diverse activities like Yoga & Brunch. I recommend checking their website for the latest updates on events and exhibitions.

anncL4594PW

Five of us visited the Royal Naval College as a birthday treat for one of our group. We did both the Painted Hall tour and the 600 years of history tour with our guide Jim. He was very interesting and knowledgeable and managed to deliver a lot of facts with a good sense of humour. It was definitely worth doing the tour (which is included in the entrance fee) as it was so enjoyable and we found out so much more.

936SueH

We did a tour of the painted hall with Jim, who was excellent. Very engaging and informative. As we were the last tour of the day, he gave us an extra 30 mins of his own time to show us around the surrounding parts of the college. Very worthwhile and he had some great stories that really brought to life the history and understanding of the paintings and artwork. An amazing place, well worth a visit.

arel410

Had a fantastic tour of the Painted Hall with tour guide Antonio that was included in the cost of the ticket. Antonio was very knowledgeable about the artwork and the history and made it a very interesting and engaging commentary. We met him again in the Chapel and he was equally friendly and generous with sharing his knowledge. We would definitely recommend this tour.

sabriina2024

Amazing experience! Had an excellent time during the tour. We happen to join Jim’s last tour of the day, it was very educational. Would highly recommend doing the tour. Thank you Jim!

jennieh658

An amazing visit. I had booked to go and see one of the exhibitions but that also gave us access to all the buildings. The painted hall is beautiful and we were lucky enough to join a tour given by Jim of the hall. He then offered to take us on a tour around the other buildings too (as an extra to his day). He was so knowledgable and approachable to ask questions about the history. If you can get on one of his tours definitely do it. Well worth a visit.

753samirac

Had an excellent time during the tour. It was engaging inclusive and very educational. We happen to join Jim’s last tour of the day at 3:30 and then without planning also joined his second tour of the 600 year history. It was a pleasure, would highly recommend.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-07 06:59
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