Greenwich: Painted Hall Entry & Guided Tour at Old Royal Naval College

Summary

Painted Hall’s golden light, riverside history and film-famous halls

You’ll walk beneath painted ceilings in Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College, listen to guides share centuries-old secrets, and maybe even try your luck at Victorian skittles. Entry includes access to the Painted Hall (with multilingual audio guide), chapel, Skittle Alley, plus optional guided tours of these historic grounds—leaving you with more stories than you expected.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit I didn’t expect the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich to smell faintly of old wood and polish, almost like a church but warmer. The first thing that hit me was the hush—just footsteps echoing on stone as we wandered toward the Painted Hall. Our guide, Sarah (she had this dry humor I liked), pointed out a tiny carving above a doorway and asked if anyone could spot Henry VIII in the mural. I squinted for ages before she laughed and told us the answer. The whole place just felt layered—like you’re walking through 600 years at once.

We caught one of the Painted Hall talks (they run every half hour), which made all those ceiling details make sense—otherwise I’d have missed half the stories. There’s something about standing under that much gold leaf with sunlight sneaking in from high windows; it’s dizzying but kind of grounding too. The Helios installation was there—modern art tangled up with all that history—and honestly, it worked better than I thought. You get an audio guide included (mine was in English but they had Mandarin, French, German… even British Sign Language), so you can wander at your own pace if you want.

I nearly skipped the Skittle Alley because I figured Victorian bowling couldn’t be that different from regular bowling. Turns out it’s way harder—I sent my ball straight into the gutter while a couple of kids cheered for their granddad. There’s also a chapel tucked away with blue-and-gold ceilings and quiet corners where you can just sit for a minute. Everything is right by the river, so when you step outside, there’s this rush of fresh air and boats drifting past. It’s easy to forget how many films have been shot here until someone points out “that Bridgerton staircase” or a James Bond corner.

I still think about that ceiling sometimes—the way your neck aches but you don’t really care because it feels like being let in on a secret. If you’re coming from central London, it’s only about 20 minutes by train or boat, which makes the day trip to Greenwich feel oddly simple for somewhere so heavy with stories. Anyway, I left with more questions than answers—which is probably how these places should leave you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Old Royal Naval College

• Visit Painted Hall
• Take Painted Hall audio guide or talk
• Join guided tour of buildings and grounds
• Explore Visitor Centre and Discover Greenwich Museum
• Visit Chapel
• Try Victorian Skittle Alley (12-3pm)

Top questions

Is entry to the Painted Hall included in my ticket?

Yes, admission to the Painted Hall is included with your ticket.

Are guided tours available at Old Royal Naval College?

Yes, optional guided tours depart hourly from 11am to 3pm from the Visitor Centre.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio guide is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German, Japanese and British Sign Language.

Can I visit the Skittle Alley during my tour?

Yes, Skittle Alley is usually open from 12pm to 3pm and included with your ticket.

Is Helios on display during my visit?

The Helios installation is on display in the Painted Hall until March 25th, 2025.

Are children or strollers allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers throughout the site.

Is Old Royal Naval College wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the site is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

How do I get to Greenwich from central London?

You can reach Greenwich by public transport—train or boat—in about 20 minutes from central London.

What’s included

Your ticket covers entry to Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College—including access to the Painted Hall (with multilingual audio guide), chapel and visitor centre—as well as a chance to try Victorian bowling at Skittle Alley (open noon till 3pm). You can join optional guided tours of the buildings and grounds every hour from late morning through mid-afternoon.