Essential Information

Type Talks and tours
Location
Date and Times 12-14 January 2024 | 10.30am-5pm
Prices Free

Hailed as a 'first-rate exhibition' by The Daily Telegraph, our special exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea is closing its doors on 14 January 2024.

To mark the final days of the show, join our series of free tours and talks to uncover the life, times and legacy of the celebrated marine artists.

Set sail for Greenwich, and experience the art of the Van de Veldes.

Event programme

Friday 12 January

Gallery Talk: Kehinde Wiley and Ship of Fools

10.30am and 3.15pm, Governor’s Parlour

A painting of three people in a boat at sea

A world-renowned visual artist, Kehinde Wiley is best known for his paintings that reimagine western art traditions.

This free talk will explore the different aspects of his work, Ship of Fools. This powerful marine painting explores themes including migration and the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.

The work is part of Royal Museums Greenwich’s permanent collection and is on display in the Queen’s House.

The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour

11.30am and 3.45pm, starting in the Great Hall

This guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.

  • Suitability: This tour is suitable for ages 12+.
  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected on the day from the admissions desk, located at the entrance of the House. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.

Saturday 13 January

Art Workshop

11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Undercroft

Come and join our free drop-in drawing workshop, which explores the techniques used by the marine artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Please be aware that this event has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Gallery Talk: The Escape of Charles II

12pm and 1.15pm, King’s Anteroom

After the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II spent the next few weeks avoiding capture to escape the country.

This free talk recounts the dramatic events which led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour

11.15am and 3.15pm, starting in the Great Hall

This guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.

  • Suitability: This tour is suitable for ages 12+.
  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected on the day from the admissions desk, located at the entrance of the House. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.

Sunday 14 January

Art Workshop

11am–1pm and 2pm–4pm, Undercroft

Come and join our free drop-in drawing workshop, which explores images of boats and ships.

Please be aware that this event has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Gallery Talk: The Escape of Charles II

12pm and 1.15pm, King’s Anteroom

After the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II spent the next few weeks avoiding capture to escape the country.

This free talk recounts the dramatic events which led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour

11.15am and 3.15pm, starting in the Great Hall

An interior shot of art exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea at the Queen's House, showing an evocation of a 17th century artist studio

This guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.

  • Suitability: This tour is suitable for ages 12+.
  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected on the day from the admissions desk, located at the entrance of the House. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.

What’s On

Family fun

Character Actors at the Queen's House

Meet historical characters connected to the Queen's House and take part in exciting performances
Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Art and culture

Lunchtime Concerts at the Queen's House

Enjoy musical performances in the Queen's House given by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
Select Wednesdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

The Queen's House Ice Rink

Discover the most beautiful outdoor ice skating location in London
21 November 2025 - 4 January 2026 | 10am-9pm
Free Entry
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Evening concert at the Queen’s House: Trinity Laban String Ensemble and the Holtág Quartet

Enjoy a night of chamber music in the former royal residence, performed by the Trinity Laban String Ensemble and the Holtág Quartet
Friday 21 November 2025 | 7.30pm-8.30pm
Adult: £16, Adult Members and Patrons: £14.40, Child: £8, Child Members: £7.20
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House

Meet Santa and journey to a magical wonderland. Pre-booking recommended
Selected dates from 22 November – 24 December 2025
General tickets: £27 per person, Member tickets: £24.30 per person, Under 1s: Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House Relaxed Sessions

Meet Santa and journey to a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors and those with sensory sensitivities. Pre-booking recommended
Sunday 23 November at 4.15pm, Saturday 29 November at 4pm (SOLD OUT) and Thursday 11 December at 5.15pm (SOLD OUT)
Child and an accompanying adult: £25, Additional adult: £27, Additional child: £27 | Member child and accompanying adult: £22.50, Additional adult Member: £25, Additional child Member: £25
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Unfit for Service

In this free lunchtime talk, historian Dr Manon Williams will explore how the Royal Navy treated sailors who were judged ‘unfit for service’ due to injury, illness, or old age
Wednesday 26 November 2025 | 1pm–1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Member events

Members' Experience: A Beginner’s Guide to Observing

Come along and begin your journey to observing the night sky on the historic Queen's House lawns
Wednesday 26 November 2025, Wednesday 21 January & Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 6.30pm-9pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Portraits in the Queen's House

Join guide John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the portraits in the Queen's House
Friday 12 December 2025 | 2pm-3pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Christmas concert at the Queen's House

Join us for an evening of carols and songs, performed by local choir, Hithertones
Saturday 13 December 2025 | Performances at 6pm (SOLD OUT) and 7.30pm
Adult: £18, Child: £8 | Adult Members: £15, Child Members: £5
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Victory at all costs

In this free lunchtime talk, curator Fern Aldous will explore the economics and logistics that went into maintaining the Royal Navy’s ‘wooden walls’
Wednesday 7 January 2026 | 1pm–1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

DEBUT at the Queen’s House – Valentine’s Day Concert

A romantic night with enchanting classical music performed by DEBUT's acclaimed musicians
Saturday 14 February 2026 | VIP experience at 5.45pm | Performances at 6.15pm and 8.00pm
Adult: £30, VIP Adult: £55 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £27, VIP Adult Member: £50
Queen's House