Hotels in Greenwich, London

OUR VIEW
Looking at the pleasant 'green reach' on the south bank of the Thames today and it is hard to imagine that this is the place where the Danish ships under Canute stood at anchor before their successful conquest of London. Three monarchs were born at Greenwich, Henry VIII and his progeny, Mary I and Elizabeth I, but today Greenwich is best known for the elegant riverside buildings and the Royal Observatory on an elevated position overlooking open parkland that stretches down to the riverside.

On the bank is Queen's House, one of the first Palladian villas in England, built by Inigo Jones for Anne of Denmark, wife of James I. Away from Queen's House stetches Greenwich Park, some of which was laid out by Andre le Notre, architect of Versailles. Jones's design was later greatly altered by Sir Christopher Wren for Charles II, who created the Royal Naval Hospital to rival the existing military hospital at Chelsea. To the west of Queen's House the famous clipper ship Cutty Sark is on display, and nearby is Francis Chichester's Gypsy Moth.

MAPS
Get an Ordnance Survey map covering the London area.