This is how to spend a day trip to Greenwich from riverside walks to history and food – according to a south east London local.
Greenwich is one of south east London’s most popular tourist spots and for good reason.
With its easy travel links, wide variety of pubs, restaurants, and history it makes for a great day out in London away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
This is how I’d recommend spending a day in Greenwich – as a Greenwich local.
If you’re travelling to Greenwich from Central London, I’d recommend taking a Thames Clipper Riverboat Service to Cutty Sark Pier.
On your route you’ll get to see lots of famous London landmarks like The Globe Theatre, Tower of London and the London Eye.
Or if you fancy a walk before starting your day, why not take a train to Blackheath and take a walk to Greenwich through the heath and Greenwich Park.
On your way you’ll pass the famous Rangers House located on the left side of the park’s entrance, this Georgian Villa was famously used as a filming location for Bridgerton.
You can take a walk-through Greenwich Park admiring the scenery, with one of the best views of London from outside the Royal Observatory.
Start off by visiting The Queen’s House located in Greenwich Park, it's free and it's where you can find the Tulip Staircase, a popular Instagram spot.
After that take a walk into Greenwich, where you’ll find a plethora of shops, cafés and restaurants all vying for your attention.
Greenwich Market is worth a visit and has a variety of stalls and traders as well as independent shops, if you have a sweet tooth definitely visit Mr Humbug where you can find a really wide selection of sweets and fudge.
If you like cakes, Ruby’s Bakery serves a selection of plant-based cakes and savoury treats along with a menu of delicious hot chocolates.
One of my favourite lunch spots to visit in Greenwich is Monsoon Café, tucked away in Turnpin Lane this café is one of Greenwich’s hidden gems.
If you visit, I’d highly recommend sampling their Chicken Tikka Sandwich, with a side of salad and topped with crunchy pomegranate seeds, and they also do a selection of freshly made cakes which I always get on my visit.
Greenwich has so many museums and historical locations vying for your attention and the great thing about them is that they’re all walkable.
The National Maritime Museum has 3 floors of exhibits to explore and most of them are free, so you could spend as little or as much time here as you want.
Definitely don’t miss out The Tudor and Stuart Seafronters Gallery, which explores the history of Britain’s naval history during the Tudor Reign and the history behind the Spanish Armada, with conflict, wealth and exploitation.
Be sure to visit The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College, which is a stunning example of baroque architecture.
It’s usually fairly quiet on weekdays, compared to weekends which are busier, and you can also lie on large beds to take pictures and admire the painted figures on the ceiling.
This is one of Greenwich’s highlights and definitely worth a visit, if you purchase a ticket it's valid for up to 12 months and includes admission to the Old Royal Naval College.
A short walk from the Old Royal Naval College you’ll find The Cutty Sark, this 19th century tea clipper has three floors to explore, including the main deck where you’ll get to explore what life would have been like on the ship during the years it transported goods around the world.
For dinner, you could take a walk along the Thames to the River Garden Café located 10 minutes from the Cutty Sark.
With views of the O2 and the scenic walk along the riverside, this is a great place to stop off for food, they’re also dog-friendly with treats like doggy ice cream and puppachinos.
They have a range of delicious dishes including vegan and vegetarian options, along with freshly made cakes.
On the walk back you’ll also pass a number of popular pubs like the Cutty Sark, the Yacht and the Trafalgar Tavern, perfect if you fancy hitting a pub or two for a pint.
Definitely don’t miss The Trafalgar Tavern, a Victorian pub dating back to 1837, with beautiful interiors designed to reflect Greenwich’s naval history, along with a menu of classic British dishes, draught beers, ales, ciders and a large selection of wines.
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