If you’re taking the kids to London, spending a day in Greenwich is well recommended. There are plenty of things to do at Greenwich – famous of course, for being the reference line for Greenwich Mean Time, but in addition, it’s well known for its naval and military connections.
To help you make the most out of your day trip, this guide covers all the very best things to do in Greenwich with kids, including Greenwich attractions, activities, places to visit as well as everything you need to know about ticket prices, where to save money booking online and opening times.
This things to do Greenwich guide will also cover a few different ways to get there from Central London.
So let’s jump straight into it and show you exactly what to do in Greenwich with the kids.
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Last comprehensively reviewed and updated: November 2026.
Things to do at Greenwich with Kids Map
To help you plan your day trip, check out the map below, which shows the location of all the top things to do in Greenwich for kids.
You can zoom in and out for a better view.
Best Things to do in Greenwich with Kids
Below we list the very best places to visit and kids’ activities in Greenwich that the entire family will enjoy.
Opening hours, ticket prices and temporary closures change. The details below were checked in November 2026; follow the official links and check again before travelling.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich
The hilltop outside the Royal Observatory remains one of the best free viewpoints in London, overlooking Greenwich, the Thames and the city skyline.
Important current closure: the Royal Observatory closed on 2 November 2026 for the First Light refurbishment. The Meridian Courtyard is expected to reopen first in summer 2027, with the full site due to reopen in 2028. Do not plan a paid Observatory visit until Royal Museums Greenwich confirms access.
When open, the historic site includes Flamsteed House, astronomy and timekeeping collections and the Prime Meridian. Existing ticket products should be checked for current availability and inclusions before booking: Royal Observatory tickets or the combined Observatory and Cutty Sark product.
Location: Blackheath Avenue, London
Hours: Temporarily closed from 2 November 2026; check the official reopening timetable.
Stand on the Meridian Line
The historic Prime Meridian at Greenwich is the reference line for 0° longitude and Greenwich Mean Time. Modern geodetic measurements place the zero-longitude line used by satellite systems a little over 100 metres east, but the brass line in the Observatory courtyard remains the internationally recognised historic visitor experience.
The Meridian Courtyard is unavailable during the current Observatory closure. It is expected to be the first part to reopen in summer 2027; tickets are due to go on sale in January 2027. Check the official site rather than relying on older ticket listings.
Planetarium and Space Activities During the Closure
The Peter Harrison Planetarium closed in September 2025 and is expected to remain closed until 2028 as part of the Observatory refurbishment. Royal Museums Greenwich is instead offering temporary planetarium shows and astronomy activities at the National Maritime Museum. Check the current programme and book timed shows in advance.
The riverside grounds occupy the site of the former Greenwich Palace, where Henry VIII was born. The current baroque complex was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and became the Royal Hospital for Seamen before later serving as the Royal Naval College.
Families can explore the free grounds and chapel, the Discover Greenwich museum and the Painted Hall. Children aged 16 and under receive free general admission when accompanied by a paying adult, and families can request trails and sensory activities. The Skittle Alley usually operates daily from noon to 3 pm.
The site is also a famous filming location. Check the existing affiliate products for current schedules and inclusions: film and television locations tour or Painted Hall admission and tour.
Location: King William Walk, London
Hours: Painted Hall, Chapel and Visitor Centre daily 10 am to 5 pm; grounds daily 8 am to 11 pm. Event closures occur, so check before visiting.
Price: Adult general admission £19; children 16 and under free within the stated family conditions. Grounds remain free.
Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark, launched in 1869, is the world’s last surviving tea clipper. Families can explore the main deck and crew spaces, take the wheel, use interactive exhibits and walk beneath the suspended hull.
An audio guide is included with standard admission. Booking ahead secures an entry time, particularly during weekends and school holidays.
Location: King William Walk, London
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm; last entry 4.15 pm.
Price: Adult £22; child £11-£12 depending on the official booking display; children under 4 free. Check the existing affiliate ticket product for current availability and price.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Opened in 1902, the 370-metre Greenwich Foot Tunnel runs beneath the Thames between Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs. Walking through takes only a few minutes and is a memorable free family experience.
Stairs and lifts are provided at both ends, but the lifts can be unavailable because of maintenance. Check Royal Borough of Greenwich service notices if step-free access is essential, and cyclists must dismount inside the tunnel.
Location: King William Walk, London
Hours: Open 24 hours, subject to maintenance or emergency closures.
Price: Free
Queen’s House
Queen’s House is a former royal residence and England’s first classical building. It now displays major artworks, including the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, in an impressive but manageable museum that works well as a shorter indoor stop.
Entry and audio guides are free. Booking a timed ticket is recommended, and scheduled room closures can affect what is on view.
Location: Romney Road, London
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm except 24-26 December; last entry is generally 4.15 pm.
Price: Free
Greenwich Market
The covered market mixes street food with handmade goods, antiques, art and gifts, making it an easy lunch stop in wet weather. Individual traders vary by day.
Location: Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5.30 pm, including Bank Holidays; closed Christmas Day. Market stalls will close on Mondays from 4 January to 8 February 2027, while surrounding shops and cafés remain open.
Price: Free to enter
National Maritime Museum
The free National Maritime Museum is one of Greenwich’s best wet-weather family attractions. Galleries cover exploration, naval history, migration and life at sea, with hands-on areas for children.
AHOY! is designed for younger children, while older kids can use interactive exhibits throughout the museum. The new maritime-themed Cove playground is open daily from 10 am to 4.30 pm, and temporary planetarium shows and astronomy activities are running here while the Royal Observatory is closed. Some activities and shows require separate timed tickets.
Location: Romney Road, London
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm; last general entry 4.15 pm.
Price: General admission is free; advance booking is recommended. Special exhibitions and planetarium shows may charge.
The Fan Museum
The Fan Museum occupies two restored Georgian townhouses and is the UK’s only museum devoted to the history, culture and craft of fans. Its collection includes thousands of objects from around the world, while changing exhibitions mean not everything is displayed at once.
This is a small, specialised museum rather than a hands-on children’s attraction, but it can suit families interested in fashion, design and decorative arts.
Location: 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11 am to 5 pm; last entry 4.30 pm.
Price: Adults £5; children aged 7-16 £3; children under 7 free; family ticket £10.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park covers about 183 acres and is one of London’s oldest enclosed royal parks. Families can use the accessible maritime-themed playground, enjoy the gardens and viewpoints, and hire boats on the pond on selected weekends, Bank Holidays and school holidays from April to October.
Wildlife includes birds, squirrels and parakeets. Do not promise a deer sighting: animal locations and access arrangements can change, so treat any wildlife encounter as a bonus.
Location: London SE10 8QY
Hours: Pedestrian gates open at 6 am and close at dusk; exact closing time changes monthly. Check the park page for notices and seasonal hours.
Price: Free; some activities charge.
The Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House
Ranger’s House is a Georgian villa displaying nearly 700 works from the Wernher Collection, including paintings, jewellery, bronzes, silver and tapestries. The exterior is also recognisable as the Bridgerton family home in the television series.
This is not a reliable drop-in attraction: it opens only on selected dates and is closed for the remainder of 2026, with 2027 dates still to be released at this review. Book ahead once dates appear. Upper-floor access is currently limited for visitors with reduced mobility, so contact the site before booking if step-free access is required.
Location: Chesterfield Walk, Blackheath, London
Hours and Price: Selected dates only; use the official booking calendar for current availability and seasonal prices.
The O2
The O2 is a major arena and entertainment complex with restaurants, a cinema and other leisure venues. Individual attraction and event hours vary.
For adventurous families, Up at The O2 is a guided climb over the roof to a viewing platform 52 metres above ground. Climbers must be at least 8 years old and 1.2 metres tall, able to walk unaided and meet the operator’s health and size requirements. Children must climb with an adult.
Location: Peninsula Square, London
Hours: The O2 complex is generally open daily 10 am to 10 pm; individual venues and Up at The O2 use their own schedules.
Price: The complex is free to enter. Up at The O2 starts from about £37 per person; check the existing affiliate climb product for current times and pricing.
Greenwich Peninsula Public Art and The Tide
NOW Gallery has permanently closed, so it has been removed from this guide. Families visiting The O2 can instead explore Greenwich Peninsula’s outdoor public art and sections of The Tide, a landscaped elevated walkway with art installations and Thames views.
The outdoor route is free, but installations and access can change as the Peninsula develops. Check the official art and culture page for the current trail before setting out.
London Cable Car
Formerly branded the IFS Cloud Cable Car, the London Cable Car crosses the Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. The cabins rise up to about 90 metres and the crossing usually takes around ten minutes, with views across east London.
Location: Greenwich Peninsula Terminal, Edmund Halley Way, London
Hours: Vary by day and season; check TfL’s current timetable before travelling.
Price: Standard one-way walk-up fares are currently £7 for adults and £3.50 for children aged 5-15. Children under 5 travel free with a fare-paying adult. Online and combined products vary.
How to get to Greenwich
Below we cover the best ways to get to Greenwich from Central London.
Train, DLR and Tube to Greenwich
For historic Greenwich, take the DLR to Cutty Sark station or National Rail to Greenwich station. DLR services from Bank are convenient, but check the current network map for engineering works and connections.
For The O2, cable car and Greenwich Peninsula, use the Jubilee line to North Greenwich. Contactless and Oyster pay-as-you-go fares vary by zones and time of travel, with peak pricing on weekday mornings and late afternoons.
Cruise or River Bus to Greenwich
A sightseeing cruise is the most scenic way to arrive, with commentary and views of landmarks along the Thames. Existing affiliate options include a Westminster to Greenwich sightseeing cruise and a Tower Pier to Greenwich cruise; check live schedules and prices before booking.
For public transport rather than commentary, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers serves Greenwich Pier. Oyster and contactless pay-as-you-go are accepted, but River Bus fares are zonal and do not count towards the normal TfL daily cap. This is how we travelled to Greenwich, and the river journey was a lovely part of the day.
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Hopefully you found this guide to a Greenwich day trip with kids helpful. Other great guides you may find valuable include things to do in London with kids, getting to London from Heathrow and the best London hotels for families.