Paid entry. As of July 2025, £17.50 for adults; under 16s free.
7 days a week
What it is
Museum tags: Art; Architecture; History; Military history; Maritime history
Greenwich’s architectural gem, designed by Sir Christopher Wren originally as a hospital for injured Seamen before becoming a naval college. It’s now most famous for the iconic Painted Hall, more than 3,700 square matres of Baroque art covering the walls and ceilings, depicting kings, queens, naval glory and mythological creaters. It’s often called Britain’s Sistine Chapel.
Entry also includes Nelson’s Room, where the Admiral lay in state; a Victorian skittle alley (where you can play!) and the Discover Greenwich exhibition.
But at £17.50 (as of December 2025), it’s very steep. Your ticket includes entry to a couple other spaces, like the Old Skittles Alley and the Discover Greenwich Centre, but they’re all just asides, really (though if you’re with a group, it’s worth having a go at skittles!). The grounds and buildings of the Old Royal Naval College, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, are beautiful and well worth a stroll on a sunny day – but they’re free anyway!
In short, I love the Painted Hall, and if you’re interested in Baroque Art it’ll be worth your time. But if you only have a short amount of time in Greenwich, I’d focus your time elsewhere – probably on the Royal Observatory.
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