Royal Observatory of Greenwich: Entrance

Can you imagine being in two places at once? At the Royal Observatory at Greenwich you can, by placing one foot in the eastern hemisphere and the other in the western hemisphere. At this iconic center of time and space you will discover the Greenwich Meridian, GMT and how in 1884 it was established as the world's first meridian. You will learn fascinating stories about astronomy, space and the stars that can awaken your explorer spirit. Arrange your visit to witness the famous red time ball drop over Flamsteed House, one of the world's first public time signals, which descends each day at 13:00. Tour the impressive octagonal Charles II Hall, designed by Christopher Wren and known as the "Great Star Room," and discover John Harrison's innovative creations that revolutionized the measurement of longitude. Be sure to see the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest and oldest telescope in the UK, which allowed astronomers to observe the universe from new perspectives more than a century ago. Perched high on a hilltop, this site offers spectacular views of Greenwich and reveals the wonders of time and space following the legacy of astronomers past and present.