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

Afternoon Frequencies

Free live electronic music in the Great Hall at the Queen's House
18 September 2026 | 1pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Raphael Wallfisch at the Queen's House: Bach's Suite Cello Recital

Don't miss this unique night with one of the greatest cellists of our time
Thursday 1 October 2026 | Doors and bar open at 6pm | Recital at 7.30pm
Adult: £35 | Child: £17.50 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £31.50 | Child Member: £16
Queen's House
Events and festivals

TIDES: (Intertidal) – Migration Festival

A day of workshops and performances exploring how migration shapes our world
Saturday 3 October 2026 | 11am-4pm
Free Entry
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Art and culture

Art History Festival: Artemisia Gentileschi’s ‘Susanna and the Elders’ at the Queen’s House

Uncover the story behind a rediscovered masterpiece by Artemisia Gentileschi, on loan to the Queen's House from the Royal Collection. This talk is part of the Association for Art History's Art History Festival
Monday 5 October 2026 | 1pm-1.45pm
Free
Queen's House
Talks and tours

Guided audio-described tour of the Queen's House

Join a tour of the Queen's House for blind and visually impaired visitors
Tuesday 6 October 2026 | 11am-12pm | Please arrive at 10.50am
Free
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Art and culture

Art History Festival – Pearls, Sugar, & Tobacco Flowers: English Queens in an Atlantic World

Historian Lauren Working explores how the Atlantic World shaped Early Modern England, as seen in the art and architecture of the Queen's House. This free talk is part of the Association for Art History's Art History Festival
Tuesday 6 October 2026 | 1pm-1.50pm
Free
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Art and culture

Art History Festival: 'Held Tenderly' by Sharon Walters

Explore the influences behind artist Sharon Walters' work in the Queen's House in this free talk, as part of the Association for Art History's Art History Festival
Wednesday 7 October | 1pm-1.45pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals

Anniversary Celebration at the Queen's House

Ten years on from the major reopening of the Queen's House, come and celebrate the making of a 'House of Delights' for the 21st century with a special programme of events
Thursday 8 October, Saturday 10 October, Sunday 11 October and Thursday 22 October 2026 | Various times
Tickets from £0-£40
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Musica Antica at the Queen's House

A night of celebration with music by virtuoso female composers from 17th-century Venice and Florence
Thursday 8 October 2026 | VIP experience at 5.45pm | Performances at 6.45pm and 8.30pm
Adult: £20-£25, VIP Adult: £45 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £18-£22.50, VIP Adult Member: £40
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

In conversation with Richard Wright: celebrating 10 years of the Great Hall ceiling

Hear first-hand about the ideas, craftsmanship, and legacy behind this spectacular ceiling installation
Thursday 22 October 2026 | Doors open at 6.30pm | In conversation at 7pm
Adult £25 | Students £22.50
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Dark history and haunted tours of the Queen's House

Join us (if you dare) for an after-hours tour of the Queen's House. Who knows what you might encounter...
Friday 30 October and Sunday 1 November 2026 | 5.30-7pm and 7.30-9pm
Adult: £25 | Members: £22.50
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House

Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland with the Snow Queen at the Queen's House this Christmas
Saturday 14 November - Thursday 24 December 2026
Early bird: £27 per person | General tickets: £30 | Members: £25 | Under 1s: Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa's Grotto at the Queen's House relaxed sessions

Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors. Pre-booking recommended
Sunday 15 November 2.45pm | Saturday 28 November 11.15am | Friday 4 December 5.15pm | Thursday 10 December 5.15pm
Child and an accompanying adult: £30 | Additional adult or child: £30 | Family Member child and accompanying adult: £27 | Additional adult or child Family Member: £27 | (+£3 booking fee per transaction)
Queen's House