The Royal Observatory

London, SE1

Situated on the hill in Greenwich Royal Park, the Royal Observatory commands breathtaking views of the City of London and the River Thames.

It was built for John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal appointed by Charles II, for the purpose of navigational research. Today the Royal Observatory is home to Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the world, which divides the eastern and the western hemispheres.

The Royal Observatory also houses one of the finest and most fascinating collections of time-related scientific instruments in the world, including the famous Harrison timekeepers.