Celebrate the winter solstice

Join the Royal Observatory and the Royal Parks for a day of activities celebrating the winter solstice, and discover the science behind the shortest day of the year

Plan your visit

How to book

We recommend booking tickets to the Royal Observatory online in advance to guarantee entry. Tickets on the day are subject to availability.

Use the booking calendar to select your visit date and entry time, then select the number of tickets you require and click 'Add to basket'. Your tickets will be sent to you by email once you've completed your booking.

Members enjoy free unlimited entry to the Observatory and all other Royal Museums Greenwich sites, and do not need to book.

Book now 

See all tickets and prices

Planetarium shows are not included in entry to the Royal Observatory. 

View the Planetarium schedule and book tickets

Planetarium bookings

Please note that Planetarium show tickets are not included in entry to the Royal Observatory and must be booked separately.

View the Planetarium schedule and book tickets

Eat and drink

The Astronomy Café and Terrace, located inside the Astronomy Centre close to the Planetarium, is open every day for visitors and the public.

You can also pick up refreshments from stalls just outside the main entrance to the Observatory, or head towards the Parkside Café just down the hill at the National Maritime Museum. 

Eating and drinking in Greenwich

Shop

Find the perfect museum gift, from books and prints to models, toys and games. Visit us next to the Meridian Courtyard, in the Astronomy Centre, or shop online.

Shop online

Find the perfect print

Accessibility and facilities

Find useful information about facilities at the Royal Observatory including cloakrooms, baby change and accessibility, and information for disabled visitors coming to any of our sites.

Access at the historic Observatory

Access at the Planetarium

Audio guides

The Royal Observatory audio guide is available in different languages to help you make the most of your visit.

Follow the audio guide

Royal Observatory closures

Occasionally some closures may affect your visit to the Royal Observatory and the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Please see this page for details about upcoming closures.

Tickets and Opening

Adult:from £20
Child:from £10

Open daily

10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm)

  • Greenwich Station
  • Cutty Sark DLR
  • Maze Hill Station
  • Greenwich Pier

Stay connected

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What’s On

Find Planetarium shows and Observatory events.

The Sky Tonight
Planetarium shows

The Sky Tonight

A classic guide to the night sky presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Daily except Thursdays
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Ted's Space Adventure
Planetarium shows

Ted's Space Adventure

Join Ted the bear on an adventure around the Solar System in this special live planetarium show for under-7s - perfect for little astronauts everywhere!
Weekends and school holidays
Adults £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Observatory Unlocked
Experiences

Observatory Unlocked

Drop by and chat with our Royal Observatory Explainers as they bring science and astronomy to life
Saturdays and Sundays
Included with Royal Observatory admission
Royal Observatory
Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System
Planetarium shows

Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System

Experience the Solar System like never before - by travelling on a spacecraft that can turn the objects in space into sound!
Weekends and school holidays
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Earth From Space
Exhibitions

Earth From Space

See the world through a satellite’s lens, and explore our changing planet at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Open daily | 10am-5pm
Free for Planetarium show ticketholders and Royal Observatory visitors
Royal Observatory
Moons Beyond Counting
Planetarium shows

Moons Beyond Counting

Learn more about our own Moon and some of the more exotic moons of the Solar System in this show narrated by our Royal Observatory astronomers
Weekends and school holidays in December | 2.30pm
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Chinese Astronomy
Planetarium shows

Chinese Astronomy

From stars to space exploration, explore ancient and modern Chinese astronomy in this live planetarium show
Saturday 14 December 2024, Saturday 1 February 2025 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
Winter Solstice Festival in Greenwich Park
Events and festivals

Winter Solstice Festival in Greenwich Park

Join the Royal Observatory and The Royal Parks for a day of activities celebrating the winter solstice, and discover the science behind the shortest day of the year
Saturday 21 December 2024 | 12-6pm
Free
Royal Observatory
Meet the Neighbours
Planetarium shows

Meet the Neighbours

Tour the Solar System and beyond in style with this live, immersive show packed full of spectacular sights and fun facts
Weekends and school holidays in January
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Introduction to Astrophysics
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astrophysics

Explore topics at the cutting edge of scientific research and the limits of human knowledge
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for full dates
£96
Royal Observatory
Astronomy and Islam
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Astronomy and Islam

Join us for a special show featuring the New Crescent Moon and historic Islamic astronomy
Select Saturdays and Sundays | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child
Royal Observatory
Starstruck
Planetarium shows

Starstruck

Discover the birth, life and death of a star presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Weekends and school holidays in February
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
探索太陽系
Planetarium shows | Bilingual Families

探索太陽系

Join us for a planetarium show in Cantonese, presented live by an astronomer in their native language
Sunday 2 February 2025 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
Out Of This World: Moons
Family fun

Out Of This World: Moons

Explore the moons of our solar system in this family workshop
18 February 2025 | 10.30am - 12 noon
£5 per Child
Royal Observatory
Holiday to Space
Family fun

Holiday to Space

Travel across the Solar System and help Ted prepare for a holiday on another world during a planetarium show and interactive workshop for ages 3-6.
20 February 2025 | 10.30am - 12.00pm
£5 per child
Royal Observatory
Star Makers: Visions of the Cosmos in Art
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Star Makers: Visions of the Cosmos in Art

Join us as we explore representations of the Universe through art.
Friday 21 February 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm
Adults: £10 | Students & Under-25s: £9
Royal Observatory
Amateur Astronomy For Beginners
Courses | Astronomy courses

Amateur Astronomy For Beginners

A course for those looking to make astronomy into a hobby
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings starting 25 February 2025
£96
Royal Observatory
South Asian Astronomy: Holi Show
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

South Asian Astronomy: Holi Show

Celebrate the festival of colours by learning about South Asian connections to the objects we see in our night skies
Saturday 8 March 2025 | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion Tickets
Royal Observatory
Intermediate Astronomy
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy

Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings starting 11 March 2025
£205 per module
Royal Observatory
Foundation Astrophysics
Courses | Astronomy courses

Foundation Astrophysics

A series of ten-week courses on more advanced topics in astrophysics
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings starting 11 March 2025
£200 per module
Royal Observatory
Pioneering Women in Observatories, 1880-1930
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Pioneering Women in Observatories, 1880-1930

Discover more about the pioneering women who worked at observatories in the UK, US and Australia in the late 1800s, in this panel discussion and screening of the film Hidden Figures
Friday 28 March 2025 | 6.00-9:45pm
Adults: £10 | Students & Under-25s: £9
Royal Observatory
Introduction to Astronomy
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astronomy

Learn the basics of astronomy at the home of time and space
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings starting 22 April 2025
£96
Royal Observatory

Choose your tickets

All visitors to the Royal Observatory must have a ticket to enter. Book online in advance to guarantee entry. Please note: planetarium shows are sold separately. See all tickets and prices

Royal Observatory

  • Visit the Prime Meridian line
  • See the best view in London
  • Guaranteed entry time
  • Audio guide included
  • Planetarium shows not included
Adultfrom £20
Childfrom £10
BOOK NOW

Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass

  • Save with a combo ticket
  • Entry to Cutty Sark
  • Entry to Royal Observatory
  • Guaranteed entry time
  • Planetarium shows not included
Adultfrom £30
Childfrom £15
BOOK NOW

Member tickets

  • Unlimited free entry
  • Priority booking and exclusive events
  • Access using your membership card
Membership card number required
BOOK NOW

Become a Member

  • Unlimited entry all year
  • Royal Observatory
  • Cutty Sark
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Special exhibitions
Direct Debit One-off
Individual: £50 Individual: £60
Family: from £60 Family: from £70
JOIN TODAY