What’s it like to visit the Painted Hall in Greenwich? And is it worth visiting?
The Painted Hall is a magnificent Baroque interior in Greenwich with a beautiful painted ceiling.
It’s been nicknamed “Britain’s Sistine Chapel”.
It’s inside the Old Royal Naval College and you can see it as part of a walk around Greenwich.
It’s becoming popular with tourists but still is a bit of a hidden gem. I’ve met Londoners who’ve never heard of it…
In this guide I share my experience visiting the Painted Hall and explain how you can see it yourself and what to expect. I also share some tips on what to do nearby in Greenwich.
Table of contents
How to visit the Painted Hall (tickets and tours)
Join a guided tour (free with your entrance ticket): I visited the Painted Hall as part of a tour of the Old Royal Naval College.
That’s the classic way to visit it.
The tour is included in the entry ticket price. Check the tour schedule when you make your booking.
You can also visit independently without a guided tour or use a multimedia audio guide. You’d still need to buy the same entry ticket.
TIP 1: If you plan to be in Greenwich on the first Sunday of the month, you can get a discounted ticket.
TIP 2: Entry to the Painted Hall is included in the London Pass.
My experience visiting the Painted Hall
Entering the hall was exciting. It was dimly lit and felt a bit mysterious.
The space is simply awe-inspiring. The scale of the painted ceiling and the way it merges with the columns and arches were so impressive.
I visited with a group of people on a guided tour.
The guide told us about the hall and the paintings and then we had time to walk around and take photos by ourselves.
It was interesting to learn from our guide about the history of this hall. I had no prior knowledge and he put the paintings in context.
It was originally meant to be a dining room for retired sailors at the Royal Hospital for Seamen.
Sir James Thornhill painted the hall between 1707 and 1726.
The paintings aren’t random. These were effectively political propaganda relevant to their time, intended to glorify Britain.
They depict stories of how Britain saw itself, as the centre of civilisation.
You’ll spot British monarchy presented as divine rulers, and figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America paying homage to British greatness.
I enjoyed it regardless of the somewhat questionable propaganda, simply for the beauty and complexity of the art itself.
Our guide helped us notice small details, such as the artist himself appearing in one of the paintings wearing a wig.
Other details we noted were the Zodiac signs and seasons hidden among the figures, as well as all sorts of mythological creatures.
I ended up spending about an hour inside. You can see the Painted Hall in about 30 minutes. I just stayed longer to take photos and videos and just enjoy the atmosphere there.
Is the Painted Hall worth visiting?
It’s definitely worth visiting if you love art, architecture, and history.
It’s worth seeing if you’re already visiting Greenwich, as part of a cultural itinerary in this part of London.
Some people might want to visit it also because it’s a famous filming location of shows like Bridgerton and The Crown.
How to get to the Painted Hall?
Take the DLR to Cutty Sark station or an Uber Boat to Greenwich Pier.
The Old Royal Naval College is just a few minutes walk from both of these.
Enter through the visitor centre, where you can join a guided tour.
You can also visit without a guided tour, in which case just have your ticket scanned and ask for directions.
Things to do near the Painted Hall
Since you’ve made the trip to Greenwich, you’d probably want to see more places around the area.
It’s compact and walkable, so ideal for a day of sightseeing.
Some of the main attractions in Greenwich are within walking distance from the Painted Hall, including:
- Cutty Sark: One of the world’s last surviving tea clippers. Explore the ship and its decks and discover the exhibitions inside.
- Greenwich Market: A lively local market with independent stalls and small shops, with everything from street food and antiques to art, crafts and more.
- Queen’s House: A stunning former royal residence, now home to an art gallery with beautiful architecture and an impressive collection. Free entry.
- National Maritime Museum: A fascinating museum exploring Britain’s rich seafaring history and its connections to the wider world. Free entry.
- Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian: A little farther away and up the hill you’ll find the Royal Observatory, where you can stand on the 0° longitude line and learn about global timekeeping and navigation.
TIP: Get the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass for a discounted rate if you’re going to visit both the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory on the same day.
It’s perfectly doable to add both of these plus the Painted Hall to your schedule. They open at 10 am.
Have you been to the Painted Hall in Greenwich? Share your experience and tips in the comments below.
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