Royal Observatory

This Observatory has stood on this site since 1675 when it was built by Christopher Wren on the orders of Charles II. It was here that a line was chosen to mark Longitude Zero, defined by the Observatory transit instrument and travellers from around the world pause for a photograph where east and west divide. The old buildings have recently been restored with four new galleries about ‘time’ and how it impacts on our lives. Don’t miss the famous Harrison marine timekeepers that set the standard for modern navigation or the giant 40' (12.2m) telescope and 17th century astronomer's apartments.