Ticketed and free

Essential Information

Location
Date and Times Daily | See page for details
Price Treasures Tour: £5 adult, £3.50 student, £2.50 child | Volunteer talks are free

Treasures Tour is free for Members. Not a member? Join now

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has a rich history that dates back to its founding by King Charles II in 1675. Over the centuries, the Observatory firmly established itself as a pioneering place for astronomical discovery, timekeeping, and navigation.

Amongst many achievements, in its famous walls some of Britain’s greatest minds played a crucial role in solving the problem of longitude and, in 1884, the Royal Observatory was established as the location of the Prime Meridian of the World.

Learn about pioneering discoveries, the people who made them and the objects that they used with one of our knowledgeable staff and volunteers. See our available talks, audio guides and tours below. 

For bespoke tours, exclusive offers, or group (15+) enquiries, please make a group booking enquiry.

Image

Treasures Tour

Explore some of the Royal Observatory's most treasured objects, learn all about the astronomers who lived and worked here, and explore how they helped us understand space, time and navigation. This guided experience will allow you to explore the history of the site from its very first observations, all the way up to the present day.

  • Timings: Tours run daily at 11am and 3pm. From 2 June to 31 August a third daily tour will run at 5.30pm as part of our summer late opening hours.
  • Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.
  • Meeting Point: Near the Dolphin Sundial. In inclement weather, this may move to the first room inside Flamsteed House - please enquire with staff on the day
  • Prices: £5 for adults, £3.50 for students, £2.50 for children and free for Members.
  • How to book: Tickets can be purchased online or at our Admissions Desks in the Royal Observatory and Peter Harrison Planetarium.
  • Suitability: Suitable for all ages, recommended ages 12+.
  • Audio headsets: You will be provided with an adjustable audio headset. These can be used alongside hearing aids, and tour guides can use an induction loop upon request.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several spaces that can only be accessed by stairs, and due to the historic nature of the site there may be some areas inaccessible (the Octagon Room and Great Equatorial Telescope) to visitors with access requirements. An alternative tour route may be available upon request - for those looking to attend a step-free tour, please enquire with our Bookings Team. 

    Before your visit

    Book tickets

    Book Member tickets

Treasures Tour - Mandarin

The Treasures Tour will run in Mandarin on Saturdays at 1.30pm during the summer.

Scroll down on the bookings page to select the right tour.

Book ticketsBook Member tickets

Treasures Tour - Cantonese

You can join a Treasures Tour in Cantonese on Sundays at 1.30pm during the summer.

Scroll down on the bookings page to select the right tour.

Book ticketsBook Member tickets

Image

Treasures Tour Audio Guide

Can't make the in-person Treasures Tour, or want to take things at your own pace? The audio Treasures Tour is a self-guided equivalent that you can listen to as many times as you like.

  • Price: £7

Buy the Treasures Tour

Image

Volunteer talks

Discover the fascinating history of the Observatory and some of our most popular objects with our volunteer team. Come along to learn about the Prime Meridian, the importance of the Time Ball and the story of John Harrison and his marine timekeepers.

  • Timings: Subject to availability - our Volunteer team aim to deliver daily talks, but we advise visitors to enquire with our staff on site for more information.
  • Location: Talks take place in various galleries and spaces across the Observatory. Speak to staff for more information on the day.
  • Price: Included with admission.
  • Suitability: No age-sensitive topics discussed.
  • Accessibility: Due to the historic nature of the site, some areas, such as the Great Equatorial Telescope and Octagon Room, may not be accessible. Flamsteed House and the Time and Longitude Gallery are accessible via lift.

What’s On

Find more events at the Royal Observatory.

Planetarium shows

The Sky Tonight

A classic guide to the night sky presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Daily (except term-time Thursdays)
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
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
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £8
Royal Observatory
Experiences | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

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
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

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: £8
Royal Observatory
Events and festivals

350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich

Celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important scientific sites in the world
Throughout 2025
See page for details
Royal Observatory
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 July
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
Family fun

Summer holidays at the Royal Observatory

Live science demonstrations, out-of-this world planetarium shows and fascinating talks are just some of the activities in store this summer
Throughout summer 2025 | See page for details
Some activities included with entry to the Observatory, some at additional cost
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Starstruck

Discover the birth, life and death of a star presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Daily in August (except Thursdays)
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

The Sky Tonight 1675

Celebrate 350 years of the Royal Observatory Greenwich by exploring the past and present night sky with our astronomers
Daily in August (except Thursdays)
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Morning Stars

Our more relaxed planetarium shows for those who prefer a calmer environment, such as people with ASD
2 and 16 August | 10.15-11.00am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion tickets
Royal Observatory
Events and festivals | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

Royal Observatory birthday weekend

Follow in the footsteps of generations of astronomers, and join us to celebrate 350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich
Friday 8 - Sunday 10 August 2025
Adult: £24 | Child: £12 | Under 4s FREE | All activities included in entry price
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Chinese Astronomy

From stars to space exploration, explore ancient and modern Chinese astronomy in this live planetarium show
9 August 2025 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Silver Screen Science-Fiction: The Wild Robot (2024)

Finish the summer holidays with a fantastic family adventure as we watch The Wild Robot (2024) at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Saturday 30 August 2025 | 6:30pm - 8.30pm
£10 Adult | £9 Under 25s | £5 Child
Royal Observatory
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