What’s new in 2015

visitgreenwich.org.uk

Welcome

to our Visitor Guide update. We want to make sure you’ve got all the information you need to have a great time in Greenwich, so we’ve put together some news about exciting events, openings and new ways to explore the area. Look at this along with our Visitor Guide and you’ll be able to find out everything you need to know about where to go and what to see in Greenwich and the rest of the Royal Borough.

Getting to Greenwich is fun! It’s not very far from the West End and there are lots of exciting ways to travel. Speed down the river with City Cruises, MBNA Thames Clippers or Thames River Services and arrive in style, or pretend you’re the driver on Docklands Light Railway to speed through the towers at Canary Wharf and under the river to Greenwich. Get Two for One entry to all sorts of attractions if you travel with Southeastern trains and kids travel for just £1! Save even more with GroupSave and Weekender tickets. However you get here, make it part of your day out!

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Visit Greenwich time after time

Festival & Events

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Greenwich is a great place to celebrate and there’s a long list of fabulous festivals that take place every year, many of them presented under the Royal Greenwich Festivals banner. Here’s some of what you’ve got to look forward to.

Sail Royal Greenwich

Greenwich Music Time Greenwich + Docklands International Festival

Annual highlights June

September

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival The most thrilling and spell-binding outdoor festival of them all. Dance, drama, music, street art – all free!

OnBlackheath Live music and food festival on the roof of south east London with classy food and some of the hottest names in music.

July

Open House London Greenwich takes part in the capital’s largest annual festival of architecture and design. Over one weekend, buildings of architectural interest, old and new, open their doors for free.

Greenwich World Cultural Festival A stunning afternoon of dance, theatre, music and circus from around the world, all in the beautiful gardens of the elegant Eltham Palace.

August Greenwich Comedy Festival Royal Greenwich International Early Music Festival and Exhibition

Christmas Lantern Parade

Greenwich Music Time Outdoor music in the iconic setting of the Old Royal Naval College featuring some of the world’s most exciting musical talents. Sail Royal Greenwich Tall Ships return to the Thames at Woolwich and Greenwich for cruises on the river, ship visits and fireworks evenings.

Greenwich Comedy Festival The best stand-up around. Lots of laughs in a gorgeous Greenwich location.

November Royal Greenwich International Early Music Festival and Exhibition Ever wondered what to do with a Crumhorn? Find out here! Christmas Lantern Parade Greenwich gets Christmas under way with this traditional event that begins in the Old Royal Naval College and culminates with Lights On at Greenwich Market. Take a look through the Visitor Guide for more great events and sign up for our newsletter to keep abreast of 2016 events including the exciting Royal Greenwich Festivals programme.

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Visit Greenwich time after time

You can see how much there is to do in Greenwich in our Visitor Guide but here are a few extra ideas we came up with to help you have even more of an amazing time. As well as all the places to visit and things to do on dry land you should try a river adventure. Tear down the Thames at high speed with Thames RIB speed boats. Whizz past the Old Royal Naval College, blast past The O2 and zip through the mighty Thames Barrier. It’s a super-adrenaline fuelled way to get a unique view of some of the best views in Greenwich – but make sure you come back for a proper look! Take a tour round Meantime Brewery and find out how London’s favourite craft beer is made, followed by a tutored tasting of a selection of Meantime beers. Then take a flight across the river on the UK’s only urban cable car – the Emirates Air Line – which offers fantastic views of the river as it winds its way through the capital and out through the Thames Barrier.

Eat & drink

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There’s a lovely long list of places to eat and drink in Greenwich in our Visitor Guide, but we’ve come across a few more places we think you’ll like. There’s a wonderful atmosphere and great food and drink at the Richard I, a pub that’s been at the heart of the community in Greenwich for many years. If you’re looking for the place that locals go, this is it. Or dash down the river to The O2 and dip into Busaba Eathai, a modern Thai eatery that specialises in one course dining, devised to feed you with no fuss – delicious too! For all you wine buffs, and who isn’t a fan of the beautiful grape, South London Wine School run regular tastings at The Mitre next to St Alfege church. You’ll need to book ahead for this one, but it’s definitely worth it! Or you could relax in a restaurant next to Greenwich Pier with views across the river to Docklands and beyond. Browse the tried and tested menu at Frankie and Benny’s and watch the sun go down over the water!

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Attractions

Entertainment

You will never be short of things to do in Greenwich where exciting exhibitions and attractions spring up all the time!

There’s far too much to see and do in Greenwich to only stay for a day and there’s plenty to do in the evening, so stick around and stay for the night. Take a walk with Lantern Ghost Tours where you’ll hear about the Cutty Sark curse, ghosts of jilted lovers unable to move on and Royal Family members whose dabble with the occult has left their spirits to linger.

The biggest opening of 2015 is definitely Samuel Pepys: Plague, Fire and Revolution at the National Maritime Museum, from November 20. It’s a blockbuster exhibition charting the colourful, talented and sometimes scandalous life of Britain’s most famous diarist, who witnessed some of the most momentous and dramatic events in history. Make sure you see it!

Or experience a unique perspective of London’s captivating night sky - including the reflections of The O2 and the awe-inspiring lights of Canary Wharf during a night flight on the Emirates Air Line. The cable car flies across the river Thames for extended 25 minute round trips as the sun goes down over the city, until the end of September. Special video and music selections will make your sunset session even more special. If you’re here later in the year, there’s no need to go home when the evenings draw in - there are amazing night time views on its regular service until 8pm.

Elvis has not left the building and is staying at The O2 until January 2016. Elvis at The O2: The Exhibition of His Life chronicles the rise of the rock ‘n’ roll icon and shows how Elvis impacted on popular culture around the world through his music, movies and personal style. We’ve been, it’s great, you should definitely go. And while you’re there, on Greenwich Peninsula, drop into the fabulous NOW Gallery, a new public space for contemporary art and design where exhibitions change regularly and reflect Britain’s thriving and inventive art and design community. It’s a beautiful building filled with beautiful things.

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Then stop for a frosty glass of craft beer at Meantime Brewery’s Beer Box, just a few metres away from The O2 and North Greenwich underground entrances. Greenwich Peninsula just grew up.

NOW Gallery FLOATING FLYING - Exploring Phoebe English’s exhibition with an evening of live music accompanied by aerial hoop contortion from Lily Raptor from Chivaree Circus.

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A place to stay

Attractions

Eltham Palace and Gardens Experience the decade of decadence at Eltham Palace, as you are transported back to the 1930s (just in time for cocktail hour). Created for millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, Eltham Palace is part showpiece of Art Deco design and 1930s cutting-edge technology, and part medieval royal palace. Bring your family and make yourself at home, try on clothes, play games, listen to music and stroll in the fabulous gardens, as a guest of the Courtaulds. The Peninsula Restaurant InterContinental London The O2

Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London SE9 5QE english-heritage.org.uk/elthampalace 020 8294 2548 Opening times Apr-Sep: Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm 1 Oct-25 Oct: Sun-Thurs, 10am-5pm 26 Oct-1 Nov: daily 10am-5pm, 2 Nov-14 Feb: Sun only, 10am-4pm See website for further details. Ticket prices £13 adult, £7.80 child, £11.80 concession, £33.80 family, English Heritage member - free

NOW Gallery

Spend your time well in Greenwich and stay over for a night or two. We have a great selection of quality accommodation in the main part of our Visitor Guide, but there are a few more places we think you’ll definitely want to keep in mind. Sunborn London is a glamorous yacht hotel moored in Royal Victoria Docks, just across the river from The O2. This is somewhere you can combine the privacy and exclusivity of an ocean-going yacht with the quality and comfort of a top-class hotel. It’s pretty classy. So too is the InterContinental London The O2, right next to the most popular entertainment venue in the world. The 453-room hotel, which opens in late 2015, features a health spa, two restaurants, a club lounge, main bar and a sky bar with 180-degree views over Canary Wharf and the River Thames. There is also a 3000 square metre open-plan ballroom, the largest pillar-free ballroom in Europe. That’s a lot of room for a lot of dancers!

A new public exhibition space for contemporary art and design at Greenwich Peninsula. A permanent, free gallery which features a programme of unique three-month commissions from established and emerging artists, designers and creatives. The Gateway Pavilions, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 OSQ nowgallery.co.uk [email protected] 020 3770 2212 Opening times Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm Free admission

Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust is a new charity and looks after Charlton House, Greenwich Heritage Centre, Tudor Barn Eltham and a number of memorials. The Trust’s aim is to care for and make accessible the heritage of Greenwich and bring it alive through exhibitions, guided tours, walks and activities for everyone to enjoy. Charlton House, Charlton Road, London SE7 8RE charlton-house.org 020 8856 3951 Greenwich Heritage Centre, Artillery Square, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 4DX greenwichheritage.org 020 8854 2452 [email protected] Opening times Please see websites Free admission

Looking for a Greenwich momento? visitgreenwich.org.uk/shop

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Eat & Drink

Accommodation

Busaba Eathai

The Even Keel Cafe at Cutty Sark

A modern Thai eatery offering a communal, single-course dining experience devised to feed you with minimum fuss.

Frankie & Benny’s Situated near Cutty Sark in the heart of Greenwich, across from Canary Wharf, this Frankie & Benny’s restaurant boasts breath-taking, beautiful riverside views from the upstairs terrace and bar area!

Sunborn London

Book a special afternoon tea at The Even Keel Café, including entry to Cutty Sark. Enjoy homemade scones, cakes and sandwiches, along with a pot of Cutty Sark tea, underneath the magnificent copper hull of the ship.

Unit 2.02, The Avenue, The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX busaba.com [email protected] 020 8305 5958 Opening times Mon-Thurs 12noon-11pm Fri-Sat 12noon-11.30pm Sun 12noon-10pm

Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9HT harbourandjones.com/the-even-keel-cafe [email protected] 020 8293 9484 Opening times 10am-4.45pm daily Ticket price from £19.95 per person frankieandbennys.com greenwich@ frankieandbennys.co.uk 020 8305 2345 Opening times Mon-Sat 9am-11pm Sun 9am-10.30pm

Richard 1st Located on the historic Royal Hill, a stone’s throw away from the centre of Greenwich. Welcoming neighbours and tourists alike to enjoy delicious food, great drinks, a

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wonderful atmosphere and friendly service. 52-54 Royal Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8RT richardthefirst.co.uk [email protected] 020 8692 2996 Opening times Mon-Fri 12noon-11pm Sun 12noon-10.30pm

The impressive 108-metre floating hotel incorporates 135 spacious guest rooms plus the elegant Lands End Restaurant, Sundown lounge bar, Elemis Spa and events suite, with expansive views of Canary Wharf. Rooms offer guests a luxurious retreat with indulgent furnishings and great views that lead on to a private terrace or balcony. The hotel’s proximity to the world-famous ExCeL London, which hosts hundreds of international events and conferences each year, makes it an ideal base for a visit to Greenwich and Docklands. Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL sunbornlondon.com [email protected] 020 3714 8111 Number of rooms 135 Prices From £120

InterContinental London The O2 The InterContinental London The O2, open from Winter 2015, will be the home of 453 luxurious appointed bedrooms and suites, as well as three bars, two restaurants, spa and extensive meeting space.

Transport, Tours & Talks

Thames Limo Thames Limo is a luxury charter vessel, originally a Venetian water taxi specially commissioned to operate on the Thames,

1 Waterview Drive, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 0TW iclondon-theo2.com [email protected] 020 8757 7771

Greenwich Promenade, King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9HT

Number of rooms 453 Prices From £289 + VAT

Stay in touch… Greenwich Tourist Information Centre is the ideal first call when you’re planning a visit to Greenwich and the surrounding area. 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, London SE10 9LW visitgreenwich.org.uk [email protected] 0870 608 2000

/VisitGreenwich

Opening times Daily 10am-5pm Closed 24-26 December

/VisitGreenwich

/VisitGreenwich

Abbey Tours & Experiences Abbey Tours & Experiences, a London based coach tours company, is running a new Greenwich shuttle service. The hop on, hop off service gives visitors easy travel between Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, Meantime Brewery and Greenwich Peninsula. Visitors can buy an all-day ticket for unlimited travel at Greenwich TIC, Meantime’s Beer Box at Greenwich Peninsula and via the Visit Greenwich website visitgreenwich.org.uk/shop

/groups/visit-greenwich /greenwichlondon

This guide has been made possible with the permission of Flickr members: James Evans, Sayuki Talbot, Steve Gray, Quad Medical/DTV, Jim Ringland, Khedara Ariyaratne, Andrew Reid, Hannah Young. Photography: fitcreative.ltd.uk, ©Reginald D Hunter. Design: fitcreative.ltd.uk

Opening times Sun-Thurs 11am-6pm, Fri-Sat 11am-7pm Ticket price £5 adult, £3 child, £13 family (2 adults, 2 children)

General enquiries abbeytravel.com/abbey-travel-tours 020 8312 9514

accommodating up to 8 guests. The boat with its distinctive Union Jack hull cruises at a speedy 30 knots. thameslimo.co.uk [email protected] 0770 458 2000

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Transport, Tours & Talks

Southeastern

Thames RIB Experience

Southeastern runs train services between London, Kent and East Sussex. If travelling from central London, it is just 10 minutes from London Bridge to Greenwich by train. Make the most of great value Off Peak travel with a choice of tickets including Advance tickets (online only), Weekender, GroupSave and Kids for £1. Did you know, you can also get 2for1 entry to a number of Greenwich attractions when you go by train? Visit the website for timetables, ticket prices, special offers and to buy tickets.

These 12 seater speed boats will give you the ultimate adventure experience on the river Thames. Choice of experiences includes The Rib Blast, a thrilling 20 minute ride past The O2, through the Thames Barrier to the beautiful historic Greenwich and back again. thamesribexperience.com [email protected] 020 3245 1177 Opening times Please see website Ticket prices Please see website

southeasternrailway.co.uk/offers-and-destinations

Lantern Ghost Tours

London Planner magazine London Planner is the official monthly guide to visiting London, packed with information on things to do, what to see and where to eat in London.

Discover the darker side of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. Hear of drunken sailors sent to “Shanghai”, the Cutty Sark Curse, ghosts of jilted lovers who cannot move on and much more… ghost-tours.com [email protected] 020 7127 5213 Opening times Every Saturday and Sunday at 7.30pm, starting near the entrance to Cutty Sark. Private Tours also available.

Available throughout London and the UK. Pick up a free copy at Greenwich Tourist Information Centre or download it at visitlondon.com

Ticket prices Please see website

Talk Tourism Ltd Explore Greenwich with our expert yeomen guides of the Old Royal Naval College. Providing complete packaged bespoke days out in Greenwich

created for groups. Including transport, accommodation, lunch and entry to attractions. talk-tourism.co.uk [email protected] 020 3137 1109

South London Wine School A wine school running fun and informal tastings. No previous experience necessary just an interest in wine and a thirst to learn more! Sessions include evening tastings, Saturday courses with lunch, food and wine events and spirit tastings. The Mitre, 291 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, London SE10 8NA southlondonwineschool.com [email protected] 020 8787 5395 Opening times Please see website Ticket prices Please see website