Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• From the Trafalgar Tavern, walk two long blocks up Park Row. After crossing busy Rom-
ney Road, turn right (through the gate near the corner) into the park. The palatial build-
ings in the middle of the park are the Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum;
the Royal Observatory Greenwich is on the hilltop beyond. Together, this trio is known as
the Royal Museums of Greenwich.
Queen's House
This building, the first Palladian-style villa in Britain, was designed in 1616 by Inigo Jones
for James I's wife, Anne of Denmark. All traces of the queen are long gone, and the Great
Hall and Royal Apartments now serve as an art gallery for the National Maritime Museum.
Predictably, most of the art is nautical-themed, with plenty of paintings of ships and sea
battles, and portraits of admirals and captains. Among these is the great J. M. W. Turner
painting
The Battle of Trafalgar
(1824), the artist's only royal commission. The painting
is often out on loan, so ask at the entry before you look for it. If you're short on time or
energy, skip this sight.
Cost and Hours:
Free, daily 10:00-17:00, tel. 020/8858-4422,
www.rmg.co.uk
.
