See great art in Greenwich

If you’re in search of artistic inspiration, add Greenwich to the top of your list. 

From world-class museums and artworks to installations and architectural wonders, the Royal Borough pulses with culture and creativity. 

Here, we round up just some of the top things to see and do.

Begin your creative day out with a free visit to the Queen’s House.  

The Queen's House was designed by architect Inigo Jones in the 17th century and is England's first Classical building. With its graceful exterior, elegant interiors and world class art collection, it’s a haven for culture lovers.

You can see more than 450 artworks, including pieces by Canaletto, Gainsborough, L.S. Lowry and Alberta Whittle. Highlights include J.M.W. Turner's The Battle of Trafalgar,  The 'Armada Portrait' of Elizabeth I, the Solebay Tapestry and Ship of Fools by the contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley.

It’s hard not to be awed by the House’s architectural details too. Take time to admire the white Bardiglio (Italian) and black Belgian marble floor of the Great Hall, laid in the 1630s under the direction of King Charles I’s Master Mason Nicholas Stone.  

The Tulip Stairs meanwhile are a masterpiece of architectural design: the earliest centrally unsupported spiral stairway in England. They take their name from the delicate flower pattern in the banisters. 

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If you’re after a multi-sensory art experience, head to the Royal Observatory for the chance to see and feel the lunar surface like never before.  

To celebrate 350 years of celestial observation at Britain's oldest purpose-built scientific institution, artist Luke Jerram has created an exclusive version of his work, Mirror Moon. 

Made from stainless steel, this large-scale installation enables you to touch the Moon’s craters, valleys and mountains – and encounter its mysterious ‘far side’. “I like artworks that are accessible and allow people to engage with them in all sorts of ways,” Jerram says. “That’s why the installation is called Mirror Moon: the Moon is a cultural mirror to society.” 

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Greenwich Park’s rolling parkland, tree-lined avenues and evolving architectural backdrop have inspired countless creatives. For the ultimate Greenwich experience, head to the viewing platform in front of the Royal Observatory for panoramic scenes of the London skyline.  

A fusion of architectural styles, the vista takes in the sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, including the cubic Queen’s House, the twin domes of the Old Royal Naval College – designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren – and the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf across the river.

For an alternative view of the Park, make your way to the historic viewpoint of One Tree Hill, a favourite spot for visitors in the 18th and 19th centuries. This location has inspired many artists through the years, including J.M.W. Turner.

This painting created by Dutch artist Johannes Vorsterman shows One Tree Hill in around 1680. You can see The Royal Observatory on the left of the work, and an avenue of trees drawing your eye to the Queen’s House and the remains of Greenwich Palace in the distance. This Tudor residence was the birthplace of several English monarchs including King Henry VIII, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. 

A trip to Greenwich wouldn't be complete without a visit to the National Maritime Museum, which tells stories of seafaring and exploration from the icy Polar regions to the Pacific Islands.

The Museum is also home to a range of pioneering art. Look out for Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare CBE, just outside the Museum’s entrance. 

Inside, you can find works by George Stubbs, including the first depiction of a kangaroo and a dingo in Western art, and take in stained-glass installations and large-scale naval paintings.  

Portraits of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, shipwright Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia and naval commissioner Peter Pett are some of the other Museum highlights. 

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Greenwich Market is an essential stop for any art lover in Greenwich.

The market is home to stalls and galleries selling artworks, crafts, prints and jewellery. Greenwich Printmakers and the Ben Oakley art gallery are right inside, while there are more antiques shops and Clarendon Fine Art Greenwich are located on Nelson Road just outside. Get ready for some serious art hunting.

Did you know that Greenwich’s outdoor spaces are home to contemporary art installations and sculptures? After visiting Greenwich Market, stroll past Cutty Sark and turn right to join the Thames Path. 

Soak up the views of the Canary Wharf business district as you make your way to Greenwich Peninsula. 

After all your cultural adventures, return to Greenwich in style by taking the riverboat back to Greenwich Pier and Cutty Sark.