Greenwich Market

If you go to Greenwich, you cannot skip the market. They have jewelry, clothes, knick-knacks, and a wide selection of food stands. They have Chinese food where you can see dough being made, and batter being poured into trays in front of you at a “Mini Pancake” shop.

For only 4 pounds, I was able to get 3 vegetable spring rolls, and 8 mini pancakes with melted white chocolate and sprinkles (and let me tell you, these pancakes were some of the best I’ve ever had.)

They had duck sandwiches, fresh bread, coconut chocolate, fish and chips, and tapas.

This market is a must-see, as it brings together different flavors of the world.

A Prime Meridian- and a Prime View!

Have you ever stood in between two state borders? Or maybe in between the four “corner” states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado? Well, if you ever to visit Greenwich, England, you have the opportunity to stand in between not just foreign borders, but two halves of the Earth!

The Prime Meridian, the international imaginary line of longitude, rests at the top of a large hill behind the Queen’s House. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, because the path leading up the Royal Observatory of Greenwich is quite steep!

But once you catch your breathe, you can see an astonishing view of the city, including landmark sites such as the Thames River, Cutty Sark, and the Maritime Museum.

To stand in between the Meridian, you can either pay 10 pounds to stand next to its statue, or follow a free footpath and stand on a carefully marked line.

Either way, you receive a grand view of the city and bragging rights to say that you were in two halves of the world!

Old Royal Naval College

If you’re looking to take a walk through the past, look no further than the Old Royal Naval College. Located right off the water, and a short walk from the Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College is a must see. Walking around in such a historically rich place was great. We saw the dining room of the older building which was painted by Sir James Thornhill. We also witnessed the final resting place of Admiral Nelson, as well as the site of the inaugural dinner of the United Nations. Before you enter the Old Royal Naval College, be sure to stand on the plaque signifying the old Tudor palace. The Tudor palace was the birthplace of both Henry VIII and his daughters Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

The Seat of Knowledge

When in Greenwich, stop by “The Seat of Knowledge,” also called “The Throne of Earthy Kings.” This is a monument that is easily missed, which can be found in a small garden behind the Naval Museum. I stumbled upon it by chance when I on my way to the train station to return home. The statue, reminiscent of the renown “Game of Thrones” seat, has a few steps that you can climb up, and you can sit on the throne. The throne gives ordinary visitors an opportunity to feel regal. The bottom of the throne is inscribed with quotes pertaining to wisdom and knowledge. Visiting the throne only takes a few minutes, but should not be missed.

The Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is surely a sight to see!  Constructed by Thomas Ripley, the chapel underwent a disastrous fire in 1779 to which the cause remains unknown. There have been speculations that it may have been arson, or the negligence of drunken seamen.  James Stuart redesigned it in 1781, this time with an ancient Greek theme. The interior design will take hold of your sight as soon as you enter. The amount of skill, detail and time put into each piece makes it difficult to believe the artist was commissioned only 3 pounds per square foot! The Chapel is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places of worship, with an astounding choir and captivating art.

Greenwich

Our visit to Greenwich on Thursday was a memorable experience that I would recommend to anyone as a place to go if they want to just get away from the city and enjoy the open space, beautiful views, and incredible history. The historical buildings we visited were fantastic but my favorite part of Greenwich was the atmosphere. The buildings and gardens were beautiful and the sunny weather definitely had an impact on the whole experience. I would suggest to people visiting Greenwich that they use the entire day so they can take their time walking around the sites including the observatory and the chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul, which were incredible. I would suggest this so they had time to also visit the town itself. We only walked around when we first arrived and when we were leaving but from what I saw, Greenwich town is very charming.

The Royal Observatory

If nothing else, a visitor to Greenwich cannot miss Greenwich Park. This place feels like miles and miles of green grass, lined with great big trees. It’s the perfect shade for a summer picnic. It’s scattered with the shaggiest of dogs enjoying a game of fetch, and young children chauffeured in strollers. The park is best seen at a view that must be earned. The Royal Observatory is a steep walk from the ground level of the park. But once the pilgrimage is completed, the view of the expanse of the park along the Thames, while you’re beside the Prime Meridian, is priceless.

Greenwich

Greenwich is an incredible area of London.  It has a nice “small town” feel partially because it is a distance away from Central London.  If weather permits, absolutely take the ferry from the London Eye Pier on the River Thames over to Greenwich.  The sights are absolutely amazing. The cruise under Tower Bridge and it is the experience of a lifetime.  In Greenwich, you cannot miss the market!  The handmade noodles and dumplings are incredible, and good for those on a student budget.  While you wait for the boat back, stop by the Meantime Brewery for a beer tasting.  It is a relaxed and classy atmosphere with a well-lit outdoor beer garden to give you that summer feel. Greenwich is the perfect getaway for those who want to escape the hectic atmosphere of the city, but don’t want to travel far.  A must see!

Greenwich Park

Treks up to higher elevations are necessary evils for the perpetual tourist. From the three hundred steps to Sacre Coeur to the hike to Arthur’s Seat, uphill battles are always worth the effort. Thankfully, you won’t have that far of a climb if you want to take in Greenwich’s sights.

You can see a spectacular view from Greenwich Park. Climb up a small hill and take in the London skyline. From there you can see the Emirates Air Line cable cars gliding above the rooftops. Just below the cable cars is the pincushion-like O2 arena.

Once you’ve fully appreciated the view, you can always go see the Prime Meridian. Or maybe just hike back down and walk through the flatter part of the park.

Don’t Forget The Park!

The expansive park with its rolling hills on your hike up to stand on the Prime Meridian line is a view you should not disregard. Even though most people are exhausted and left panting during this walk, it is worth it to stop and turn around.

Stop to look at the groups of children playing in their school uniforms. Stop to look at the couples having picnics on the lawn. Stop to look at the teenage boys playing ‘football’ all around you. Not to mention this gives you a chance to take a moment and breathe before continuing your journey up the hill.

I was so concerned with making my way to the top of the hill that it wasn’t until my walk down that I truly appreciated the rolling green grass around me.

So whenever it is that you venture Greenwich, don’t forget to look around!