The Monkey Tree

For a magnificent day out with something for all the family, why not take a trip to Greenwich? It is 10 years since Maritime Greenwich was given the title of a world heritage site but don’t think its all ruins and history. Greenwich is a vibrant, modern place with lots to offer for all ages.

A Day at a World Heritage Site?

We always start our trip to Greenwich on the Docklands Light Railway from Stratford. The DLR is clean, over ground (so you can check out the sights in Docklands along the way) and has easy access for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

You can get the DLR all the way to Greenwich but it’s much more fun to alight at Island Gardens, cross the road and head for the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. When you get to the domed entrance, have a look across the river to the identical dome on the other side and see if the kids can guess how they will arrive there! The building of this tunnel was started in Victorian times (and it looks like it, too!) and was built to allow access for workers from South London to work on the docks. The tunnel is open all day and night but the lifts are only open from 7am – 7pm. If the lifts are not working there are only about 90 steps, so most active kids can manage it!

You emerge from the tunnel just by the Cutty Sark. Unfortunately, the Cutty Sark is under renovation after a devastating fire in 2007, so carry on walking for 5 minutes and head straight for the children’s area in the north east corner of Greenwich Park.

This children’s play area is fantastic for little ones and incorporates a sand pit – so bring a change of clothes or a towel to clean them up after, lots of interesting climbing toys, lots of seating and grass for picnics and most importantly a coffee shop! Just outside the children’s area is a boating lake with pedaloes in the summer – don’t worry, it really isn’t very deep and I’m sure the older ones in the party will have a whale of a time!

If it’s coming up for lunchtime, there are so many places to eat in Greenwich that you are spoilt for choice. One of our favourites (and dependent on the weather) is to stay in the park and walk up the hill and have a picnic. If you really can’t be bothered to carry a picnic, you could always buy some take away food from the fantastic Greenwich market and eat it in the park. If al fresco dining is not for you, carry on to the top of the hill and have lunch at the Pavilion Tea House. Whatever way you chose to eat, the view from the hill is one of THE best free views in London. You can see the whole of Greenwich, Docklands and to the left, the City – truly breathtaking.

After lunch, continue to the very top of the hill to the Royal Observatory and set your watch as the time ball on the front turret of the observatory falls at 1pm every day.

Pop in to the Royal Observatory and discover the story of time and astronomy, touch a meteorite or hear the story of our galaxy. You can also straddle the Prime Meridian,
Longitude 0 degrees, and be in both the eastern and western hemispheres simultaneously! If you have older children, I would recommend a show at the planetarium (www.nmm.ac.uk). The shows are suitable for over 7’s with one show for over 5’s and cost £6 adults and £4 for children.

Later in the day, take a stroll down the hill (or let the kids roll down) towards the Queen’s house, built in 1638 by Inigo Jones for Charles 1’s queen, Henrietta Maria.

Next door, visit the National Maritime Museum and be inspired by stories of exploration, discovery and endeavour. Children have a dedicated area called ‘All Hands’ and the museum runs a variety of family themed workshops over the weekends and holidays. Currently, they have storytellers exciting the young crowd with stories of the famous female pirates. Visit www.nmm.ac.uk/learning for full details.

The National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Queen’s House and Royal Naval College are all free and there is even a free road train that can take you up and down the hill if you want to re visit the observatory and can’t face walking the hill again!

If you want to stretch your legs again after the museums, head for the grounds of the Royal Naval College, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and take a peek at the spectacular Painted Hall and chapel.

Lastly, if you didn’t get there before lunch, why not pop into Greenwich Market? There are fabulous stalls selling sweet treats, organic food, clothes, toys and you might even pick up a quirky present for a forthcoming birthday.

If you only go to London once in a blue moon, the easiest way is to purchase an Off Peak Travelcard.  This can be used for all trains, underground, DLR and buses in the zones you have chosen, after 9.30am.  For all zones 1-9, the current price is £7.50.   According to the Transport for London website, for every adult travelcard purchased, up to 4 children can travel for £1 each.