
Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 188 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich worth booking?
Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich is a 0.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $24 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 188 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (188)
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- From
- $24 per person
The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College is one of Europe’s finest interiors and located in the heart of Greenwich's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luke Jerram’s astonishing installation Helios in the Painted Hall until 25th March 2025. Included is a Painted Hall audio guide (in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German, and Japanese + British Sign Language) or take a guided Painted Hall talks which run every 30 minutes from 11am – 4pm. The site has a fascinating 600 years of history, including being the birthplace of Henry VIII, but is also Britain’s no.1 heritage film location, featuring in hits from Bridgerton to Bond. Tickets also include an optional guided tour of the Buildings and grounds which leaves the visitor centre hourly from 11am - 3pm. Included is entry to the Visitor Centre (Discover Greenwich Museum), Chapel and the Skittle Alley (usually open from 12-3pm) where you can try your hand at Victorian bowling.
What you get
About this experience
The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College is one of Europe’s finest interiors and located in the heart of Greenwich's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luke Jerram’s astonishing installation Helios in the Painted Hall until 25th March 2025. Included is a Painted Hall audio guide (in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German, and Japanese + British Sign Language) or take a guided Painted Hall talks which run every 30 minutes from 11am – 4pm. The site has a fascinating 600 years of history, including being the birthplace of Henry VIII, but is also Britain’s no.1 heritage film location, featuring in hits from Bridgerton to Bond. Tickets also include an optional guided tour of the Buildings and grounds which leaves the visitor centre hourly from 11am - 3pm. Included is entry to the Visitor Centre (Discover Greenwich Museum), Chapel and the Skittle Alley (usually open from 12-3pm) where you can try your hand at Victorian bowling.
What's included
Included
- Visitor Centre entry included and Skittle Alley (open 12-3pm)
- Optional guided tours depart the visitor centre on the hour (11am - 3pm)
- Multi lingual Audio guide of Painted Hall included. (in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German and Japanese). Guided Painted Hall talks run every 30 minutes from 11 -4pm
What you'll see and do
Old Royal Naval College
Don't miss a visit to the breath-taking Painted Hall (known as the UK's Sistine Chapel), which took 19 years to Paint, located in the heart of the Old Royal Naval College Grounds in Greenwich. Included is an optional tour of this magnificent 17 acre riverside estate, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn of the fascinating 600 year story of this site, formerly Greenwich Palace - the birthplace of Henry VIII. Included in the ticket is admission to the Visitor Centre, the Victorian Skittle Alley (open 12-3pm) and visit the Chapel. Tours depart from the Visitor Centre hourly throughout the day with expert guides. The stunning architecture means that this has become one of the most popular film locations in the world.
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Old Royal Naval College
Cutty Sark Gardens, University of Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN, United Kingdom
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Old Royal Naval College · Cutty Sark Gardens, University of Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN, United Kingdom
Options you can book
Mars In the Painted Hall
The Painted Hall
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, cmn, ja, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Old Royal Naval College
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 186 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
186 verified traveler reviews for Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fascinating and educational visit of beautiful Royal Naval College .
Visited Old Royal Naval College site ,bonus of it being a sunny day, The Cutty Sark alongside the Naval college looked spectacular . Lots of students around as it was a freshers day but this did not detract from the visit . Managed a visit to the Chapel absolutely beautiful , painted ceilings and walls in blues and gold added to serenity of the space. The painted hall tour was the main event and Vincent our tour guide was outstanding . Extremely knowledgable and kept us spell bound for the whole tour. He is French but bravely told us about the French failures using humour and drama to tell us about all the characters included in the baroque painted ceiling and back wall of the upper level . His knowledge of the history and painting techniques used was also impressive . One slight issue ,that he managed very diplomatically, was a yoga session taking place in the space . It was quite incongruous and apparently neither the guides or the yoga instructor were aware both would be happening at the same time . The yoga instructor was less tolerant of the situation than Vincent .However it did not detract from the excellent presentation he gave . On a general level the site has lots of steps which it does say on the website, most have handrails. All the volunteers and staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful. Numerous food outlets in the grounds and cafeterias within the buildings.plenty of outdoor seating if you had a picnic. Definitely worth a second visit .
via Tripadvisor
Magnificent murals
The murals are definitely worth a quick view. The gift shop downstairs is fantastic. However, this is not an attraction for those who have difficulty climbing stairs, let alone those confined to a wheelchair. If you have no mobility restrictions, then by all means go. If you have any mobility issues, then it's best to skip.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful afternoon experience
My friend and I had a spare afternoon in Greenwich so decided to spend a few hours here and absolutely loved it! We went into the painted hall as Vincent’s guided tour was starting and we could not have asked for a better guide! He was so friendly and knowledgable - we really enjoyed spotting all the details of the artwork and learning about the history of the building.
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful historic site and fantastic tour
We were lucky enough to stumble upon tour guide Jim as we entered the Painted Hall (which is absolutely stunning) and we were able to join his complimentary guided tour of not only the Painted Hall but the whole grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. It was an excellent tour - knowledgable and funny and gave us an understanding of the deeply layered history of the place. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Painted Ceiling closes early
That the Painted Ceiling closes early. We missed seeing it. I would like a refund. Do not recommend.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 66
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich cost?
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Prices start at $24 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich take?
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Plan for about 0.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 188 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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Around 66 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 0.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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Included: Visitor Centre entry included and Skittle Alley (open 12-3pm); Optional guided tours depart the visitor centre on the hour (11am - 3pm); and Multi lingual Audio guide of Painted Hall included. (in English, French, Spanish, Italian. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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The experience starts at Old Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark Gardens, University of Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN, United Kingdom. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich offered in?
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It is offered in German, Chinese, Japanese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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Across 188 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Old Royal Naval College - Home to the Painted Hall, Greenwich?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Mars In the Painted Hall, The Painted Hall. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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