Admire the newly reopened ‘Sistine Chapel’ of the UK, the stunning Painted Hall at London’s Old Royal Naval College. Learn bout this fascinating artwork masterpiece and the rich history of the building that was the birthplace of King Henry VIII.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today. Learn more
Valid 1 day: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: English
Audio guide included: English, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish
Wheelchair accessible
Small group: Limited to 9 participants

Highlights

Discover one of London’s most beautiful locations as you peruse the stunning recently renovated Painted Hall
Visit the Nelson Room or join one of the drop-in-talks about the Painted Hall available throughout the day
Play like a Greenwich Pensioner in the Victorian Skittle Alley
Explore the new Sackler Gallery and discover how Thornhill created the Painted Hall and meet the many characters shown on the ceiling
Wander the atmospheric grounds, view Tudor remains or try afternoon tea in our brand-new Painted Hall Café

Full description

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the Painted Hall is known as the UK’s very own Sistine Chapel and reopened in 2019 following a 2-year restoration project. With your guide, discover Old Royal Naval College that houses the Painted Hall, admire the beauty of its magnificent interiors, wander its atmospheric grounds and courtyards, and hear the stories of the people who made this place their home. Explore the newly refurbished Nelson Room and learn more about the glorious life of this national naval hero through a multimedia exhibition. Visits to the Painted Hall include guided tours as well as access to the Sackler Gallery, where you can learn about the many characters, including gods and heroes, that are painted onto the ceiling. Learn about the Old Royal Naval College and how it was built in 1692 as a home for returning seamen. Discover the stunning 18th century chapel of St Peter and St Paul, the famous Water Gates, and the Victorian Skittle Alley. Glimpse the foundations of royal history as you see parts of the former Palace of Placentia, and the birthplace of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.

Includes

General admission ticket and explorer map
Entry to Painted Hall and Nelson Room
Entry to Victorian Skittle Alley (subject to opening, check on arrival)
Guided tour
Multimedia guide (subject to availability)

Covid-19 precautions

You must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned

Meeting point

You can redeem your ticket at our ticket desks in the Visitor Centre or Painted Hall Undercroft. King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9NN, UK.

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Important information

What to bring

Comfortable shoes

Know before you go

Last entry is at 4:30 PM
The Victorian Skittle Alley is subject to opening times, please check on arrival

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 47 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.4/5
Value for money
4.3/5
Service
4.3/5
Organization
4.8/5

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The audio visual guide is excellent. You can lie back on the seats in the hall so that you can properly study the details of the paintings. If you have booked a 10am tour, don't arrive too early as there is no sign of life until a couple of minutes before that.

September 12, 2021

Brilliant experience

The Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich is an incredible place to visit, with so much to see. The Painted Hall is a must see which left me in awe. The amazing restoration work was so well worth it. We also had a fantastic tour of the whole site with a wonderful guide called Isabel. She was so knowledgeable and very interesting to listen to. We learned so much from her and she exudes such enthusiasm and love for the college and environs. We were also directed to look at the Queen's House which we also thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely a fascinating place to visit and explore.

May 14, 2019

Hidden gem in Royal Naval College , formerly Greenwich Palace . Worth the tour/talk as it is very informative regarding the history and the art . Allow about an hour to see it , get a coffee and visit shop .

May 14, 2022

London: Old Royal Naval College Visit and Painted Hall Tour

London: Old Royal Naval College Visit and Painted Hall Tour

About this activity

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Brilliant experience