Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Greenwich, you can learn how those pursuits relate to seafaring. Greenwich also has
stately Baroque architecture, appealing markets, a fleet of nautical shops, plenty of parks,
kid-friendly museums, and hordes of tourists. Since many of the major sights here are free
to enter, and you can travel between central London and Greenwich on a cheap Tube tick-
et, it's a wonderfully inexpensive day out. And where else can you set your watch with
such accuracy?
Note that Greenwich pairs perfectly with a quick visit to the Docklands, London's
glittering skyscraper zone (just across the river from Greenwich, and covered in the next
chapter).
It's a joy by boat or a snap by DLR. I enjoy a mix-and-match approach: Ride the boat to
Greenwich for the scenery and commentary, and take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
back—especially if you want to stop at the Docklands on the way home. On pleasant week-
ends, the early evening London-bound boats fill up quickly as everyone leaves around the
same time (17:00-18:00)—another reason to boat here and take the DLR back to central
London.
By Boat:
From central London, you can cruise scenically down the Thames to Green-
wich. Various tour boats—with commentary and open-deck seating up top—leave from
the piers at Westminster, Waterloo, and the Tower of London (2/hour, 30 minutes-1.25
hours). Most boats have commentary only on the way to Greenwich, but if you really want
it on the way back, you can ask the boat staff to provide it.
Thames Clippers offers faster trips, with no commentary and only a small deck at the
stern (departs every 20-30 minutes from several piers in central London, 20-45 minutes).
Thames Clippers also connects Greenwich to the Docklands' Canary Wharf Pier (2-3/
hour, 10 minutes).
By Docklands Light Railway (DLR):
From Bank Station in central London (also ac-
cessible from the Monument Tube station), take the DLR to Cutty Sark Station in central
Greenwich; it's one stop before the main—but less central—Greenwich Station (departs
at least every 10 minutes, 20 minutes, all in Zone 2, covered by any Tube pass). The DLR
works like the Tube; be sure to touch your card to the reader on the platform before and
after your journey, or risk being fined.
Many DLR trains terminate at Canary Wharf, so make sure you get on one that con-
tinues to Lewisham or Greenwich. Some DLR trains terminate at Island Gardens, from
where you can generally catch another train to Greenwich's Cutty Sark Station within a
few minutes. Or, disembark at Island Gardens for the unique experience of walking un-