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QUEEN HOUSE-LONDON-UK

(Image credit:Michael Coppins, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

History

Queen’s House Greenwich is one of the most important buildings in British architectural history. The reasons for the popularity are its former occupant’s ant its present art collection. It is a former royal residence built between 1616 and 1635. The house was commissioned in 1616 by Anne of Denmark, the Queen of King James. Inigo Jones was the architect, and it was indeed the first major design after his return from his grand tour of Roman, Renaissance, and Palladian architecture in Italy which brought about a change in British Architecture. This design introduced Palladianism into British Architecture. Palladian architecture is a European architectural style derived from the work of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. It is the concepts of symmetry, perspective and the principles of formal classical ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

The Queen’s House is now a part of Royal Museums in Greenwich. The Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, and the National Maritime Museum are part of the Royal Museum Greenwich. All are free to visit. There are big collection of world-class maritime paintings and British portraits which is the largest collection of British portraits outside the National Portrait Gallery.

FACILITIES:

  • Eat and drink

The nearest places to eat and drink are at the National Maritime Museum which is just two minutes’ walk from the Queen’s House. The Parkside Café is a bright and airy space at the National Maritime Museum. There is plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor with a good view of Greenwich Royal Park . You can do a picnic in the park if prefer to.

  • Accessibility:

It has accessible toilets, and our cafés and gift shops are wheelchair accessible.

  • Toilets & baby change.
  • Lockers: Due to the delicate nature of some of the displays, visitors are not permitted to wear backpacks or carry large bags in the galleries.
  • Floor Map: Download a free map to help guide you round the historic buildings.
  • Audio guides are also available to help you make the most of your visit.

Opening time:

The Queen’s House is open daily from 10am-5pm. check the closures page for more details.

Getting there:

  • Trains and Underground services to Greenwich

The nearest rail stations are Greenwich and Maze Hill. Direct trains run to these stations from London Cannon Street and London Bridge.

If you are using the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will take you straight to Cutty Sark station. The DLR connects with other Underground lines at Bank, Tower Gateway and Stratford stations.

  • Bus services to Greenwich

The following buses stop near the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House: 129, 177, 180, 188, 286, 386 and N1. The following buses stop near Cutty Sark: 129, 177, 180, 188, 199 and 386.The following buses stop near the Royal Observatory Greenwich and Peter Harrison Planetarium: 53, 54, 202 and 380.

  • By river

The pier is situated right next to Cutty Sark and is a five-minute walk from the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House and a short walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory.

  • Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

The fastest and most frequent river transport services, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers depart from all major London piers every 20 minutes. Your journey time is 45 minutes from London Eye Pier, 25 minutes from London Bridge Pier or 20 minutes from Tower Pier.

Tickets:

Free entry. Booking is recommended.

TIPS

  • You can download the FLOOR MAP.
  • Attraction near (walkable distance) to it are
  1. Maritime museum– Free entrance
  2. Royal Observatory
  3. Planetarium 
  4. Cutty Sark
  • If you planning to visit Royal Observatory, Planetarium shows and astronomy talks, Cutty Sark book ticket here and becoming a member is cheaper than taking the ticket individually.

Things not to miss

  • DISCOVER ICONIC ARCHITECTURE

      (image credit- Elliott Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Inside the Queen's House

Inigo Jones’s creation was a piece of ground-breaking architectural design, the first fully classical building in the country.

  • ARMADA PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH I

(Image credit: PICRYL | License details)

This is one of the most recognisable images of the Queen, or of any English monarch. It is one of the jewels in the crown of the Queen’s House art collection and display in the Queen’s Presence Chamber. Elizabeth I was born in Greenwich and spent a lot of time in Greenwich during her reign.

  • CLIMB THE TULIP STAIRS

THE TULIP STAIRS
(Image credit: Michael Coppins, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The stairs are known as the ‘Tulip Stairs’ because of the delicate flower pattern in the bannisters. Queen house holds the record of having the first unsupported spiral staircase in Britain.

  • BRUSH UP ON ROYAL HISTORY

( Image credit: :Hans Holbein the Younger , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Henry VIII of England

The reason of this part of London is called as Royal Greenwich is Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Mary were all born in Greenwich.  Two of Henry VIII’s weddings were happened here.  It was royal residence of Anne of Denmark and Henrietta Maria which helped to develop its reputation as a royal ‘House of Delights’.

Film location: it was one of the major filming locations for Netflix series The Crown.

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