to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Greenwich offers a diverse programme of free and affordable sights and activities throughout the year.
Free museums & galleries
1. National Maritime Museum
The world’s foremost collection of maritime history and artefacts always has a new exhibition or activity to check out and is always free!
2. Queen’s House
Drink in the art and architecture of Inigo Jones’ masterpiece, built for Queen Anne of Denmark and recognised as the first Classical building in England.
3. NOW Gallery
The NOW Gallery, in the heart of Greenwich Peninsula’s Design District, is 100% free. Their latest exhibition, Simone Brewster’s ‘The Shape of Things’, opens to the public from 29 June – 24 September.
Free things to see and do
4. Greenwich Park
The oldest enclosed park in England, this former royal hunting ground combines lush flower beds, meandering paths, a superb playground and some of London’s most impressive views. In summer there’s also reasonably priced boating on the lake.
5. Old Royal Naval College
It’s free to wander the grounds of The Old Royal Naval College, the spectacular architectural ensemble that commands Maritime Greenwich’s Thames frontage. Don’t forget to pop into the serene, 18th-century Chapel of St Peter & St Paul.
6. Public Art
Greenwich Peninsula boasts two outdoor ‘galleries’. There’s The Line – following the waterways and the Meridian Line between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2 – and The Tide – London’s first elevated river park, studded with public art by such luminaries as Anthony Gormley and Damien Hirst.
Free fun for kids and families
7. Sundays at the Old Royal Naval College
Free Sunday events for kids at the ORNC include: First Sunday Storytelling (held on the first Sunday of every month in the stunning setting of the Painted Hall); Make History (creative and instructional craft sessions on the second Sunday of each month); Early Years Messy Play (a mix of sensory activities, sand and water play for little ones, on third Sundays); and Meet The Past (storytelling in the ORNC grounds led by costumed historical characters, on fourth Sundays).
8. Regular workshops at the National Maritime Museum
Royal Museums Greenwich holds recurring, free and cheap workshops at the National Maritime Museum to ink into your diary. There’s Play Tuesdays (facilitated play, songs and stories for under-fives held, every term-time Tuesday); Discover Sundays (explorations of artefacts, stories and cultures led by artist-facilitators, every Sunday during term); and Saturday Art Club (a creative drop-in event for 13-16 year-olds who live or study in Greenwich, held each Saturday from October to April).
9. Free self-led family activities
Some of Maritime Greenwich’s foremost attractions really go the extra mile to cater to families on a budget. There are self-led activities at the Queen's House (which offers ‘Create’ family trails and ‘Creative Conservator’ kits to enrich exploration of the historic mansion by those aged seven and over); the National Maritime Museum (where the 'Play and Explore' trolley holds family trails and backpacks for guided exploration of the museum’s galleries and artefacts); and St Alfege Church (where a Children’s Heritage Trail allows families to actively explore more than 1000 years of history).
Further cheap ideas
10. Films under the stars
Watch a movie in the open air surroundings of St George’s Garrison Church. Films at the Garrison includes blockbusters like 1917, West Side Story and even Harry Potter!
11. Great value sightseeing
Take a ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car, offering a 90m-high perspective over London and the Thames from as little as £6 per adult and £3 per child, one-way.
Even more ideas...
12. Special Offers
For further offers and ideas, including two-for-one offers on some attractions and travel savings through initiatives such as GroupSave, Southeastern’s Kids for a Quid and Thameslink’s Kids for £2, click here.
13. Free festivals
Greenwich has plenty of free festivals full of outdoor theatre, performing arts, music and more this summer! Whether you're a foodie, a film buff or looking to get down on the dance floor, there's something for everyone at Summer Sessions on Greenwich Peninsula, every weekend in August. Greenwich+Docklands International Festival returns on 25 August for 17 days of free events across the entire borough (pictured). Plus, Royal Arsenal Summer Festival x Woolwich Lates promises an entire day and evening full of fun for the entire family on 24 June. There's a dog show, hula workshop, drumming circle, salsa lessons, and all the usual favourites from fairground rides to face painting.
By Hugh McNaughtan
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