LONDON, England – Popular sightseeing card the London Pass is helping tourists to make the most of a trip to the city’s historic borough of Greenwich with a new one-day suggested sightseeing itinerary.
The itinerary, published on the London Pass’s informative blog, outlines the perfect day in Greenwich visiting several attractions included on the pass. Among the experiences on offer is the Royal Observatory, newly-introduced to the London Pass portfolio from 3 November 2014.
Maritime Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its significance is illustrated perfectly by the Royal Observatory, London’s centre of astronomy. Here London Pass holders will gain free entry to Flamsteed House, designed by Sir Christopher Wren as the original Observatory building, and the Meridian Courtyard, saving themselves the normal admission price of £7.70.
Visitors also have the chance to stand astride two hemispheres at the Prime Meridian line and see the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest refracting telescope in the UK and the world’s seventh largest.
A sister museum to the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum offers the stories of Britain’s seafaring past via a 2 million-strong collection of artefacts and displays. Maritime art, cartography, ship models and navigational instruments bring to life the days of heroic exploration and conflict at sea. While entry to the museum is free for all visitors, London Pass holders receive a free souvenir guidebook worth £5 on arrival.
Part of the beauty of a visit to the borough is the setting of the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum within Greenwich Park, the oldest enclosed park in London which officially dates from 1433, although its roots stretch back to Roman Britain. Visitors are encouraged to spend some time enjoying the 183-acre park before enjoying some heritage of a different kind at two of Greenwich’s hidden gems.
On the western edge of the park is one of London’s most original museums. Set in two listed buildings that have been sensitively restored to their original 1720s grandeur, the Fan Museum is a collection of more than 4,000 beautiful antique and unique fans with examples dating as far back at the 11th century. Showcasing intricate craftsmanship from all over the world, the museum also examines the cultural and social significance of its collections – from fans used by Japanese geishas to those used by French aristocrats. London Pass holders gain free entry, saving £4.
Meanwhile at the southern edge of Greenwich Park, the Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House is the borough’s finest art gallery. Its nearly 700 works include early religious paintings, Dutch Old Masters, carved Gothic ivories and Renaissance treasure, all collected by the diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1723, the elegant red-brick Georgian Ranger’s House is also worthy of investigation in its own right. Entry is free for London Pass holders, who save £6.90 in the process.
With suggestions on lunch spots and information on the best days to enjoy the food, arts and crafts stalls at the famous Greenwich Market, the London Pass Greenwich itinerary offers visitors all the information they need to truly appreciate this Royal London borough.
London Pass blog editor Fiona McCoss said: “Greenwich is more and more popular with tourists and it’s easy to see why – the maritime and cultural heritage coupled with a vibrant local atmosphere make it one of London’s most exciting boroughs. It’s also easily accessible from central London.
“We hope that our suggested itinerary will help visitors to enjoy the world-class attractions and all of the other experiences it offers.”
