Queen's House, London

Name: Queen's House
Address: Romney Rd, London, SE10 9NF, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 8858 4422

#134 among attractions in London

Museum, Vernacular architecture, Georgian architecture, Inigo Jones, More...

Gallery (18)

Map

Gallery

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Greenwich, London, the Queen's House is a historical gem and a must-visit museum for art and architecture enthusiasts. Designed by the pioneering architect Inigo Jones in the early 17th century, the Queen's House is celebrated as the first classical building in Britain and has been meticulously preserved as a museum.

Originally commissioned by King James I's wife, Anne of Denmark, the Queen's House is notable for its elegant proportions, fine classical lines, and the striking Great Hall with its perfectly cubic dimensions and harmonious geometry. The house showcases a pioneering use of architectural principles that were new to England at the time, including the first Palladian features and the first centrally unsupported wide spiral staircase in the country.

Today, the Queen's House is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich and houses an impressive collection of fine art, including works by renowned artists such as Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Hogarth. The museum's collection spans over 400 years of artistic creation, offering visitors a comprehensive look into the country's rich maritime history and royal heritage through the lens of art.

Aside from the artistic treasures, the Queen's House offers breathtaking views of the River Thames and is surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, which includes the Royal Observatory and the historic ship the Cutty Sark. The building itself is a testament to the evolution of English architecture and a precursor to the Georgian style that would dominate the 18th century.

Alternative names: Completed: 1635 (389 years ago)Coordinates: 51°28'52"N, 0°0'13"W

Address

Romney RdGreenwich (Greenwich West)London SE10 9NF United Kingdom

Contact

+44 20 8858 4422

Website

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London

Day trips

Queen's House – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park, Old Royal Naval College.

~400 ftW
The history of Britain at sea
National Maritime Museum, London
2 min walk • The National Maritime Museum, situated in the heart of Greenwich, London, stands as a bastion of seafaring history, celebrating the UK's profound connection to the sea. This premier museum, founded in 1934, is an essential destination for anyone interested in the tales...
~1470 ftSE
Astronomy centre on the Prime Meridian
Royal Observatory, London
8 min walk • The Royal Observatory is an iconic scientific landmark nestled in the heart of Greenwich, London. Established in 1675 by King Charles II, it is famed for being the location of the Prime Meridian, where time begins at longitude 0°.
~1770 ftSE
Royal Park with panoramic hilltop views
Greenwich Park, London
9 min walk • Greenwich Park, a verdant haven in the heart of London, England, offers visitors a blend of history, nature, and stunning views. As one of the Royal Parks of London, this former hunting ground now serves as a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life.
~840 ftNW
British naval empire's celebrated home
Old Royal Naval College, London
5 min walk • Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, the Old Royal Naval College stands as a majestic architectural gem in the heart of Greenwich, London. This grandiose ensemble of buildings, originally designed as a Royal Hospital for Seamen by Sir Christopher Wren, now serves...
~1470 ftNW
The last surviving British tea clipper
Cutty Sark, London
8 min walk • The Cutty Sark is a historic maritime marvel nestled in the heart of Greenwich, London. This iconic British clipper ship, launched in 1869, is one of the last of its kind and a testament to the golden age of sail. Once a swift vessel that sailed the seas for the tea...
~1670 ftSE
Tree
Queen Elizabeth's Oak, London
9 min walk • Queen Elizabeth's Oak was a veteran oak tree in Greenwich Park, London. Seeded in the 12th century, the tree formed part of the grounds of the Palace of Placentia, home to the Tudor royal family. Henry VIII is said to have danced around the tree with Anne Boleyn.
0.8 miNW
Park
Mudchute Park and Farm, London
21 min walk • Mudchute Park and Farm is a large urban park and farm in Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, just south of Canary Wharf. It is a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.
0.4 miN
Nightlife
The Cutty Sark, London
10 min walk • The Cutty Sark is a Grade II listed public house at 6-7 Ballast Quay, Greenwich, London. It was built in the early 19th century, replacing an earlier pub, The Green Man. It was initially called The Union Tavern, but was renamed The Cutty Sark Tavern when the tea clipper came to Greenwich in 1951.
0.7 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Cave
Jack Cade's Cavern, London
19 min walk • Jack Cade's Cavern is a cavern, extending several hundred feet underground, in Blackheath, south-east London, England. It is located northwest of the Heath and southwest of Greenwich Park, mostly beneath the lawn of Hollymount Close.
1 miS
Nightlife
Hare and Billet, London
25 min walk • The Hare and Billet is a public house located in Blackheath, London, overlooking parts of Greenwich Park. In the 18th century, the Hare and Billet was a coaching inn. The pub is now part of the Metropolitan Pub Company.
~1110 ftSW
Concerts and shows, Theater
Greenwich Theatre, London
6 min walk • Greenwich Theatre is a local theatre located in Croom's Hill close to the centre of Greenwich in south-east London. Theatre first came to Greenwich at the beginning of the 19th century during the famous Eastertide Greenwich Fair at which the Richardson travelling theatre annually performed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Queen's House open?

Queen's House is open:

Monday 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 5 pm
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Queen's House?

Nearby attractions include National Maritime Museum, London (2 min walk), Old Royal Naval College, London (5 min walk), Greenwich, London (5 min walk), Greenwich Theatre, London (6 min walk).

How to get to Queen's House by public transport?

The nearest stations to Queen's House:

Light rail

Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich Platform 1 • Lines: B-L, S-L (8 min walk)
Greenwich Platform 3 • Lines: B-L, S-L (14 min walk)

Ferry

Greenwich Pier • Lines: Blue Tour, Rb1, Rb1X, Red Tour (9 min walk)
Masthouse Terrace Pier • Lines: Rb1 (24 min walk)

Train

Maze Hill (9 min walk)
Westcombe Park (26 min walk)

Bus

Tyler Street • Lines: 386 (13 min walk)
Ulundi Road • Lines: 386 (14 min walk)