museum, historical house, open site
Nicholas Hawksmoor, Sir Christopher Wren, 1696
Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 9NN
Sir Christopher Wren's riverside masterpiece in Greenwich, built as the Royal Hospital for Seamen and begun in 1696.
Cutty Sark
Greenwich, Maze Hill
129, 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service to Greenwich
Step-free access is available to Admiral's House (ground floor only ) and to the Grand Square tour. See https://ornc.org/plan-a-visit/accessibility/ for a pre-visit audio-description of the site, a BSL introduction to the site and an introduction for people with Autism. Our accessibility map is here: https://ornc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/200120-ORNC-Accessibility-Map.pdf
Sunday 10 September, 11.00-17.00, drop-in.
One of the oldest surviving parts of the site, Admiral’s House, overlooking the Thames, was once the residence of the Governor of the Royal Hospital for Seamen. Originally designed by John Webb for Charles II as part of a plan to create a royal palace to rival Versailles. A rare chance to view this elegant space.
Saturday 9 September, 10.30-15.30, and Sunday 10 September, 10.30-15.30, pop-up talks.
Bookable in-person, on the day, from our Open House table in Grand Square.
The Grand Square of the Old Royal Naval College lies at the heart of one of the most spectacular architectural complexes in Europe. These short talks will explore the histories behind the sweeping vistas on view.
The Grand Square talk will last approximately 15 minutes and will be repeated at half past the hour from 10.30 to 15.30 on 9 and 10 September.
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, 11.00-16.00, pop-up talks.
Bookable in-person, on the day, from our Open House table in Grand Square.
Hawksmoor’s work in the King William Courtyard, with its massive scale and sculptural enrichment, is a quintessential example of English Baroque architecture. The Courtyard is overlooked by the Nelson Pediment, created in Coade stone to a design by the American-born history painter, Benjamin West. These short talks will explore the art and architecture of this unique space.
The King William Courtyard talk will last approximately 15 minutes and will be repeated on the hour from 11.00 to 16.00.
We regret there is no step-free access for this talk.
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, 11.00-16.00.
Bookable in-person, on the day, from our Open House table in Grand Square.
A rare opportunity to visit the Undercroft of the Queen Anne Building, a survival from the early 1600s and the only remaining intact room from Greenwich Palace.
The Jacobean Undercroft visit will last approximately 20 minutes and will be repeated on the hour from 11.00 to 16.00.
The Undercroft is reached by a flight of steps: we regret there is no step-free access for this visit.