Hotels near National Maritime Museum, London

London hotels near the National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum

Romney Road,

Greenwich

London SE10 9NF

United Kingdom

Nearest tube: Cutty Sark (DLR)

Hotels: Devonport House, Novotel London Greenwich, Holiday Inn Express Greenwich 

Situated in the heart of the historic World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum is an informative day out in a beautiful setting. Between Greenwich Royal Park and the river Thames, the museum is easily reached from Central London, and can easily be combined with a trip to the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark, or the many culinary or shopping delights of Greenwich.

Open since 1937, the National Maritime Museum is devoted to recording all aspects of Britains proud naval history. As an island nation, its ships have always been important to Brtiains self-identity, and to its position in the world, up until they maintained the largest empire that the world has ever seen.

Greenwich itself has a long and storied naval history. The docks in Greenwich have been used by the navy for hundreds of years, and, ever since the Royal Observatory was established there in 1675, it has been the location from which Greenwich Mean Time is calculated. Navigators across the globe set their timepieces according to the time in Greenwich.

The museum itself is free to enter, like all of Britains public museums, and holds more than 2 million items, including art, cartography, ship models and plans, and scientific instruments. Some exhibitions may have a separate entrance fee, however. The Queens House, the heart of the collection was designed by Inigo Jones, and the other buildings, including Flamsteed House, are great examples of baroque architecture. The whole site was refurbished in 1999, and, in combination with the nearby Royal Naval College and Royal Observatory they are worth walking around just to take in the buildings (which you may recognise from their appearances in many films).

The National Maritime Museum contains the Royal Observatory, and you can actually go and stand on the prime meridian, the line from which all of the worlds time is calculated. The observatory also contains Londons only planetarium, as well as the UKs largest refracting telescope. There is a charge to enter the observatory, but it is free to members of the NMM. To get to the observatory you will have to walk through Greenwich Royal Park, one of Londons most beautiful.

Getting to Greenwich could not be easier. The Cutty Sark station on the Docklands Light Railway takes you into the heart of Maritime Greenwich. You can get onto the DLR from many tube station, including Bank, Tower Gateway, and Stratford. There are mainline stations in Greenwich and Maze Hill, with overground services running from Charing Cross, Waterloo, Cannon Street, and London Bridge. 

You could always, of course, come to Greenwich by boat, as many have throughout its history. Many sightseeing boats stop in Greenwich, and will allow you to disembark before returning later on.

However you choose to visit, the National Maritime Museum is glorious, informative, and key to understanding Britains complex, powerful past. It is a must-see for anyone looking to understand the countrys heritage, have a relaxing day in some of Londons most picturesque surroundings, or to see some of its best attractions. .

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