Old Royal Naval College: Painted Hall
4.6
135 Ratings
London

Embark on a captivating journey through 600 years of history at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Explore stunning architecture, discover fascinating stories, and visit the breathtaking Painted Hall. Don’t miss the chance to uncover the secrets of this iconic filming location!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Old Royal Naval College - Don’t miss a visit to the breath-taking Painted Hall (known as the UK’s Sistine Chapel), which took 19 years to Paint, located in the heart of the Old Royal Naval College Grounds in Greenwich. Included is an optional tour of this magnificent 17 acre riverside estate, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn…
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What's Included
  • Multi-lingual audio guide of Painted Hall (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German, Japanese)
  • Guided Painted Hall talks every 30 minutes from 11am - 4pm
  • Entry to the Visitor Centre
  • Skittle Alley (open 12pm - 3pm)
  • Guided tours of buildings and grounds every hour from 11am - 3pm
Additional Information

The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College is one of Europe’s most exquisite interiors, situated in the heart of Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luke Jerram’s remarkable installation, Helios, will be on display in the Painted Hall until March 25, 2025.
Visitors can enjoy a Painted Hall audio guide available in English, French, Spanish,…

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Location
Old Royal Naval College
King William Walk
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(135 Ratings)
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Seaside00524781039
Apr 8, 2025
Good for history lovers - I didn’t go in to the college but walking through the gardens you could almost taste the history and the amazing adventures that have happened here, including being the start line for race across the world series 1!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacquiwatt3333
Mar 6, 2025
Awesome Old Royal Naval College - A real treat - the tour Guides are well informed and very kindly reply to questions. There is so much history the tours are well worth undertaking. The Solar display is awesome. The tour of the Chapel is very worthwhile too.
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Kierantl
Mar 4, 2025
Excellent introduction to this UNESCO Greenwich site - We had a very pleasant tour of the Painted Hall, which contains the UK's "Sistine Ceiling". Our guide was Jim, a volunteer, who gave an enthusiastic , informative and clear account of the many features worthy of note within the Hall. He followed this up with another tour of the UNESCO site with a history of the area which put the buildings in Maritime Greenwich into context. Buying a standard ticket gives you access to many buildings and all of the tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frank
Mar 2, 2025
Fantastic Tour Guide - We can here for the Helios installation and it was wonderful. Even better was the tour by an expert French guide who was very informative and entertaining. The hall is huge and the painting overwhelming. The tour put everything in context and made me feel like we were in the hands of a proper, professional organisation.
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480hazelh
Feb 17, 2025
A Hidden Gem in Lomdon - An amazing day full of historical fact, Baroque style features, learnt more about my ancestor Admiral Masterman Thomas Hardy who lived within the grounds. The tour is split between 3 buildings then we visited the Painted Hall on a further tour which full descriptions of the paintings and architecture fascinating to learn about. I played with the old wooden skittles in the cellar which I use to play in my younger days. Well worth a visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandi1012
Jan 12, 2025
Amazing tour guide in the Painted Hall. - I much prefer a human to an audio guide. Peter, a retired history teacher, was amazingly clear, amusing and authoritative. He certainly knew his stuff and delivered info to a quiet and respectful group of us. Thornhill’s work sells itself but I learnt more anecdotes, tales and facts from this talented man. I shall never look at the Painted Hall in the same way again. I wish I could have had him as my teacher at school. Thank you so much.
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Moonpool
Dec 4, 2024
A hidden gem in London - Even though I've lived in, and around London, for many years, I discovered the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich only this year. Please go - you'll be amazed by The Painted Hall and the Chapel, but also spend some time in the Visitor Centre, just a short stroll from the Greenwich Pier. Beautiful place to visit, and a charity which relies on patrons and the funds from entrance tickets. Guaranteed, it'll blow your mind!
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Z5228tojosephc
Nov 18, 2024
I took a chance and it paid off! (Hats off to Lydia) - I took a chance and it paid off! (Hats off to Lydia) The Old Royal Naval College is one of the most beautiful examples of British legacy and, being the son of two navy veterans, have wanted to see it myself for a long time. The Painted Hall especially, being perfectly expounded upon by an extremely articulate and well-read tour guide (Lydia), took my breath away. She seemed to understand every flourish, brush stroke, and square inch of the ceiling- all the way down to the TV antennae (inside joke). After interpreting the Spanish Galleon, zodiac characters, scientists, monarchs, angels, the goodies, the baddies and deciphering the Latin- it really stood out to me how important it is to have an expert guide you through England's most treasured exhibit. (Thank you Lydia)
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Eileen
Apr 5, 2025
Dissatisfied - I bought and booked the tickets that you advertised to see the artist who had the exhibition of Helios In the painted hall of the old Royal Navy college Greenwich on arrival We were told the exitibition had finished !!! We were very disappointed it is 21/2 hours Travelling from Eastbourne to Greenwich You can appreciate our disappointment Why were we sold theses tickets when the event was no longer on
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Greg_h
Nov 3, 2024
Absolutely Terrible - It was terrible. A midern art monstrosity was erected and obscured the view. It was a complete waste of time as you go see the magnificent ceiling and arch and most of it was hidden away.
Review provided by Viator
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).