Most people living within easy access to Greenwich are lucky, it’s a lovely place to visit! On a fairly drab Sunday, a walk around the undulating acres of Greenwich Park is stimulating, whether it’s the formal gardens or taking in the breathtaking views over London from General Wolfe’s statue by the Royal Obervatory.
Between the park is the River Thames is the covered Greenwich Market with its lively stalls and shops selling goodies of all kinds from antique clothes to paintings and memorabilia. Food and drink stalls dispense mulled wine and a huge variety of hot and cold fayre. The atmosphere is great and the aromas intoxicating.
On the other side of the market is the (currently under repair) Cutty Sark. I can’t wait to see this champion old tea clipper restored to her former glory. At this point starts a really enjoyable walk turning east along the Thames in front of the glorious Old Royal Naval College, a Christopher Wren masterpiece.
More of that later but reaching the Trafalgar Tavern, turn left into a narrow passage passing The Yacht pub on your left (if you can resist) and, passing another gorgeous old building on your right dating from 1616, you come to the pretty un-gorgeous Greenwich Power Station. Keep on until you see a huge anchor signalling your arrival at the Cutty Sark Tavern, a seemingly under-used gem (bit off the beaten track, perhaps) but dispensing excellent ale and decent food. A good place to refuel, methinks!
Returning to The Trafalgar (another tipple, perhaps?), turn left and cross the road to enter the Old Royal Naval College . Take some time to wonder around, see the Chapel and the Painted Room and their wonderful art. This place is exquisite! Further on you can pop into The Old Brewery and the adjacent free exhibition of Greenwich’s history.
If you’re feeling peckish at this point, there’s lots of choice including a really nice Vietnamese restaurant on the way back to the park. On our last visit, a street musician had set up his electric guitar by the main gates (don’t ask where he plugged the cable in!) and, with the aid of a trusty harmonica was ‘singing the blues’ in a way that made the hairs stand up on your neck.
A great end to a lovely few hours in Greenwich.
http://www.londonfreeandeasy.com/ is a free guide to London and its attractions and lots of information on things to do in London.
