About this experience
Proximity to the sea has always determined the path of Britain's development, and the best way to learn about this is the Royal Museum Greenwich. During our walk, you will learn the stories of British sailors and pirates, see the tea clipper Cutty Sark, visit the Royal Observatory with the Greenwich Meridian, and the National Maritime Museum. And then you will pop into the old pirate pub 'The Grape' among the East End docks!
What to expect
Maritime history of Britain
Every corner of Greenwich is closely connected with the history of the Royal Navy, which will be revealed to you during our walk. You will explore the maritime church of St. Peter and St. Paul, see the tea clipper Cutty Sark. You will learn about shipwrecks and the triumph of the ingenious clockmaker George Harrison, inventor of the marine chronometer. Visit the Royal Observatory and stand on the prime meridian. Examine maritime paintings by Turner, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Stubbs in the house with an elegant tulip staircase. And in the National Maritime Museum, I will tell you about naval battles, the shameful history of the slave trade, the traditions of sailors, and, of course, about the impeccable hero - Admiral Horatio Nelson.
'Pirate' tavern of Gandalf
Then, on a boat, you will be ferried to Dog Island, in the new center of business London, built on the site of the docks. Our route will run along the shore to the 500-year-old 'The Grape' pub, where pirates, famous actors, and Charles Dickens, who vividly described the tavern in one of his books, have roamed at different times. The owner of this atmospheric place now is the actor Ian McKellen, who keeps his Gandalf staff from 'The Lord of the Rings' film here. In the pub, you will hear stories about British pirates and learn about the dark glory of Execution Dock, located nearby.
Organizational details
- To reach Greenwich, we will take a Thames Clipper from Westminster, a 35-minute journey. Along the way, you will have a short sightseeing tour.
- Additional expenses: Thames Clipper ticket (round trip) - £ 8.10, joint ticket to the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark - £ 16.80, water taxi ticket to Canary Wharf - £ 1.50
- Unfortunately, according to the laws of the pirate brotherhood, children under 18 cannot stay in the pub, but they can take a photo with Gandalf's staff. Young sailors aged 16 and above can be in the pub in the company of adults.
