Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College stands on the south bank of the River Thames in Greenwich, forming the centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, a World Heritage Site. The college replaced a royal palace that once occupied the site, its grand buildings designed by Christopher Wren between 1696 and 1712 to house retired sailors. The complex includes the Queen’s House, an earlier structure Wren incorporated into his design, maintaining a long view from the house to the river. After serving as a naval hospital until 1869, the buildings became a training college for the Royal Navy until 1998. Today the site is managed by the Greenwich Foundation, which opened it to the public as a cultural destination. The Painted Hall, decorated by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726, is one of the site’s highlights, its vast ceiling and walls covered in elaborate paintings. The chapel, with its Sunday services open to all, and the Nelson Room, where Nelson’s coffin once lay, draw visitors interested in history and architecture. The grounds host public concerts, business events and film crews, blending ancient and modern uses. The site has appeared in many films and television productions, including *Les Misérables*, *The King’s Speech* and *Thor: The Dark World*. Students from the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music now occupy parts of the buildings, adding life to the historic setting. Visitors walk through the grand interiors and landscaped grounds, guided tours taking them to undercrofts, skittle alleys and crypts. The Nelson Room displays memorabilia and a replica statue, while the Painted Hall offers close-up views of the restored ceiling. Coffee shops, bars and restaurants sit within the old buildings, creating a lively atmosphere. The chapel’s Sunday service welcomes everyone, and the site remains a traffic-free space where people of all ages and backgrounds gather. The careful restoration of the Painted Hall won awards, drawing admirers of art and craftsmanship.