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Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits – New Major Exhibition at The National Maritime Museum

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This royal portraits exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich looks at the kings and queens who have shaped British history for over 500 years. There are many loans from the National Portrait Gallery, which has been made possible while that gallery is closed for redevelopment until spring 2023. For me, this was a real delight, and not only because it was my … [Read more...] about Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits – New Major Exhibition at The National Maritime Museum

Special Exhibition Report: Viewing the Armada Portraits at Queen’s House in Greenwich – Faces of a Queen and The Woburn Treasures

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For the first time ever the three surviving versions of the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I are on display together in the Queen’s House in Greenwich (13 February – 31 August 2020). And a major collaboration with Woburn Abbey means even more significant works from their private art collection are on display in Greenwich too. If you do one special exhibition in Britain this year, … [Read more...] about Special Exhibition Report: Viewing the Armada Portraits at Queen’s House in Greenwich – Faces of a Queen and The Woburn Treasures

Exhibition Report: The Moon – 50th Anniversary Apollo Exhibition at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich

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To celebrate 50 years since NASA's Apollo 11 mission landed the first humans on the Moon, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is staging the UK's biggest exhibition dedicated to Earth's nearest celestial neighbour. The Moon is open from 19 July 2019 and charts the cultural and scientific story of our relationship with the moon through over 180 objects, including artefacts … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: The Moon – 50th Anniversary Apollo Exhibition at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich

Laura’s London: Take a First Look at the Beautiful Restored Painted Hall in Greenwich – Re-opening in March!

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Editor's Note: We have a real treat this week - Laura was given an exclusive tour of the newly restored Painted Hall in Greenwich before its re-opening so we're chuffed to bits that she's written up a huge report about it. Please consider subscribing to the Londontopia Magazine as it allows us to commission great articles like this. As reported here recently, The Painted … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Take a First Look at the Beautiful Restored Painted Hall in Greenwich – Re-opening in March!

Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!

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Following a major £12.6M redevelopment project, The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has new permanent galleries open from 20 September 2018. 1,000m2 of space in the Museum's East Wing, previously closed to visitors, has been converted to public use adding an additional 40% of gallery space. And just like the rest of the Museum, these galleries are free to visit. The … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Greenwich

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Greenwich is a place long associated with knowledge from the Royal Observatory to the Old Royal Naval College, but it has much more going on than that.  Whether you’re in the mood to learn, shop, drink, wander or have fun, there are plenty of things to do.  We’ve identified our top ten favorite things to do and see in Greenwich, so the next time you find yourself in the Royal … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Greenwich

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Maritime Greenwich

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Greenwich, London is an area of London just south-east of the City of London.  It’s first mentioned in a Saxon charter in 918 as “Grenowic” or “green settlement.”  As London grew and prospered, Greenwich eventually became an area dedicated to maritime pursuits, eventually becoming the home of the Royal Navy College and the Royal Observatory.  This history is on display at the … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Maritime Greenwich

London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months

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The Painted Hall, at the Old Royal Naval College, one of the Jewels of Greenwich will be closing for 6 months from Sunday. This is one of the most amazing things you need to see in Greenwich but if you're planning on seeing it for the next 6 months, remove it from your itineraries. Why is it closing? The Old Royal Naval College received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months

Great London Buildings – Old Royal Naval College Greenwich

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A World Heritage site located in Maritime Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is one of the grandest examples of architecture in Greater London.  Of course, the building there now is not the first one to exist on the site.  In 1433, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, built a palace named Bella Court, but after he fell out of favour with Queen Margaret, who took over the house and … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – Old Royal Naval College Greenwich

Ten Interesting Facts about the Royal Observatory, Greenwich – The Home of the Prime Meridian

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A pioneering place of British astronomy, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich has been observing the stars for hundreds of years.  It owes its existence to a Who’s Who of 17th Century Britain, as it was commissioned by King Charles II and its location site chosen by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675.  Since the Longitude Act of 1714, the Observatory has also served as the home of the … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the Royal Observatory, Greenwich – The Home of the Prime Meridian

London’s Maritime History: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Cutty Sark You Might Not Know

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Clipper ships were the fastest merchant ships on the oceans back in the 19th Century and one of the most famous was the Cutty Sark. Built in 1869, she was amongst the last of the tea clippers as steam engine technology began to dominate the industry. Pushed out of the tea trade by the newer steam ships, she turned to the wool trade before packing it in in 1895 and being … [Read more...] about London’s Maritime History: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Cutty Sark You Might Not Know

Great London Art: The Painted Hall at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich

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The Painted Hall is often described as the ‘finest dining hall in Europe’. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, it was originally intended as an eating space for the naval veterans who lived here at the Royal Hospital for Seamen. Its exuberant wall and ceiling decorations are by Sir James Thornhill and pay tribute to British maritime power. The Painted … [Read more...] about Great London Art: The Painted Hall at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich

5 famous London painters

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London has so many inspiring and colourful sights and characters dotted around its boroughs. So it is little wonder that the capital has been the birthplace of so many great painters. Here is a little information about five of the best of them. 5. Anna Airy Anna Airy was born in 1882 in Greenwich. The early part of her career saw her produce oil and pastel … [Read more...] about 5 famous London painters

Cutty Sark Sets its Re-opening Date

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The Cutty Sark - an old Tea Clipper that has long been on display in Greenwich - has set it's reopening date. The famous ship has been closed for almost 5 years now as crews worked to save the ship from disintegrating. Restoration work was delayed by a fire that damaged the ship further (and added £10million to the final bill of almost £50million to restore the ship). It … [Read more...] about Cutty Sark Sets its Re-opening Date

Greenwich’s Woolwich Foot Tunnel re-opens after £11.5m revamp

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The free under Thames foot tunnel in Woolwich has reopened after a major refurbishment. From the BBC: The Woolwich Foot Tunnel has reopened after £11.5m work to bring the structure up to date. New lifts, stairs, lighting and CCTV have been installed in the Victorian structure, while the tunnel itself has been refurbished. It follows the recent refurbishment of the … [Read more...] about Greenwich’s Woolwich Foot Tunnel re-opens after £11.5m revamp