The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – visitor information
National Maritime Museum | Queen's House | Royal Observatory |
Greenwich Park | Transport
Greenwich Park, the National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College and Circus Field will host the London 2012 Olympic Games Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events in July and August 2012, and the London 2012 Paralympic Games Dressage competitions in September 2012. Find out more.
The Museum is working closely with LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) to minimise the disruption caused to our visitors as a result of the Games activities. This work continues, and so the information below will be updated and refined on a regular basis:
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum (Maritime galleries) will be open throughout the Games. This includes Royal River: power, pageantry and the Thames, sponsored by Barclays (27 April–9 September 2012), the Museum’s major new exhibition for 2012.
There will be some changes to opening hours (see below). The Museum will have some extended opening hours to allow spectators to visit the Museum after the completion of the Olympic sessions.
The Baltic Exchange Memorial Glass gallery will be closed 21 June–26 October. The Caird Library will close from 2 July to 4 September 2012 inclusive due to the preparations and holding of the Olympics equestrian events at Greenwich Park. See Temporary closure of Library for more information.
From 21 July–12 September, access to the Museum will be from Trafalgar Road (north side), via the Stanhope Entrance. The Sammy Ofer Wing entrance on the south side will be closed during this period. During the Games visitors will be subject to security checks in order to comply with the Olympic venue security requirements.
| Dates | National Maritime Museum opening hours |
|---|---|
| 26 April–26 July | 10.00–18.00* |
| 27 July–12 August | 11.30–19.30 |
| 13–28 August | 10.00–18.00 |
| 29 August–5 Sept | 11.30–19.30 |
| 6–9 September | 10.00–18.00 |
| 10 September onwards | Normal opening hours resume: 10.00–17.00* |
*The Caird Library is open late on Thursdays (until 20.00) up to 28 June and then again from 13 September.
The Queen's House
The Queen’s House will be closed 25 June–21 Sept 2012.
Royal Observatory Greenwich
The Royal Observatory will be closed between 23 July–3 August 2012. Access to the Observatory will be subject to some disruption between May and October 2012. From 3 June–6 July, access to the Observatory will be via the Jubilee Path and Blackheath Avenue; from 6–23 July access will be via Crooms Hill. Signage will be in place to identify the accessible visitor routes.
| Dates | Royal Observatory opening hours |
|---|---|
| 26 April–22 July | 10.00–18.00 |
| 23* July–3 August | closed** |
| 4–12 August | 11.30–19.30 |
| 13–28 August | 10.00–18.00 |
| 29 August–5 Sept | 11.30–19.30 |
| 6–9 September | 10.00–18.00 |
| 10 September onwards | Normal opening hours resume: 10.00–17.00 |
* closure date to be confirmed
** open 30 July to Cross Country ticket holders only
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park will be closed between 7 July and 4 August but access to the Royal Observatory and the Pavilion Tea House will be maintained until 23 July. The Children’s Playground and The Flower Garden remain open, except on 30 July during the Cross Country event. For more information see The 2012 Games at Greenwich Park.
Transport
Transport will be busier, particularly at peak times. There may be local station closures during peak times and further details will be announced nearer to the time. Driving to Greenwich during the peak Olympic period should be avoided.
Find out more about travel to Greenwich during the Games or see the Get Ahead of the Games website for up-to-date information about travel in affected areas.