Home > Maritime Greenwich

The World Heritage Site

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Key to the map ↓
  1. 1 St Alfege
  2. 2 Greenwich Market
  3. 3 Cutty Sark
  4. 4 Old Royal Naval College
  5. 5 National Maritime Museum
  6. 6 The Queen’s House
  7. 7 Royal Observatory
  8. 8 Protected panoramic view
  9. 9 Ranger’s House
  • World Heritage Site boundary
  • World Heritage Site buffer zone

Situated within central Greenwich and Greenwich Park, Maritime Greenwich includes a number of historic buildings representing its maritime importance. The unique architecture, designed landscape and association with the British monarchy over the centuries are just some of the features which make Maritime Greenwich a unique and significant place.  

What is the Site?

Why is Maritime Greenwich important?

Inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997, the importance of Maritime Greenwich lies in its royal origins, especially under the British Tudor and Stuart dynasties, and its development from the 17th century as a site of astronomical research related to navigation, and of Royal Naval welfare and education.

In a Royal Park setting, its ensemble of buildings including the Queen’s House, the Royal Observatory and the Royal Hospital for Seamen (today the Old Royal Naval College), symbolize English artistic and scientific endeavour in the 17th and 18th centuries, epitomizing the work of architects Inigo Jones (1573–1652), Sir Christopher Wren (1632–­1723) and the landscape designer André Le Nôtre (1613–1700).

Boundary

Maritime Greenwich is part of the wider borough of Royal Greenwich on the banks of the Thames and, in addition to the buildings noted above, encompasses Royal Museums Greenwich and the late-Georgian town centre of old Greenwich, including the historic parish church of St Alfege and Greenwich Pier. The boundary encloses all the attributes that convey the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the World Heritage Site.

Geographical Coordinates

Greenwich Park TQ 3977
Royal Naval College TQ 385778
National Maritime Museum TQ 386776
Greenwich town centre TQ 383777

Buffer Zone

The immediate setting of the Site is defined by a buffer zone. This crosses the river towards the modern towers of London Docklands, takes in urban streets to the east and west, and extends the Greenwich ‘Grand Axis’ over 1 km south of Greenwich Park to the spire of All Saints Church in Blackheath. The buffer zone has restrictions on its use and development to give an added layer of protection to the Site. 

Access

Facilities have been provided in order to make the site as accessible as possible to all. For more information go to visitgreenwich.org/access

Partners

  • Greenwich Hospital
  • Old Royal Naval College
  • Royal Borough of Greenwich
  • Royal Museums Greenwich
  • The Royal Parks
  • St Alfege
  • Trinity Laban
  • University of Greenwich
  • Visit Greenwich