Reel Locations UK

Old Royal Naval College

Address:

Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Website: https://ornc.org/

History of the Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greenwich, London, known for its 600 years of royal, maritime, and architectural history. It began as the Palace of Placentia, birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, before becoming the Royal Hospital for Seamen in the late 17th century and later the Royal Naval College, one of Europe’s leading officer‑training institutions. Today, it’s a major cultural landmark famous for its Baroque architecture, the Painted Hall, and its riverside setting.

Timeline of Key Events

  • 15th Century origins: The site begins as Bella Court, built by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. It is later expanded into the Palace of Placentia under Margaret of Anjou
  • 1485-1507: Henry VII rebuilds the palace as Greenwich Palace, establishing it as a major Tudor residence
  • 1491: Birth of Henry VIII at Greenwich
  • 1516 & 1533: Births of Mary I and Elizabeth I at the palace
  • 1640s: Palace falls into disrepair during the English Civil War
  • 1694: Greenwich Palace is demolished (except the John Webb building). Queen Mary II orders the creation of the Royal Hospital for Seamen, designed by Sir Christopher Wren
  • 1696-1712: Construction of the Baroque hospital complex that becomes today’s Old Royal Naval College
  • 1806: Horatio Nelson lies in state at the Royal Hospital following his death at Trafalgar
  • 1869: The Royal Hospital for Seamen closes
  • 1873: Buildings become the Royal Naval College, one of Europe’s leading officer‑training institutions
  • 1995: Maritime Greenwich (including ORNC) is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • 1997-1998: Royal Naval College closes; the Greenwich Foundation is established to conserve and operate the site

Visitor Information

Opening Times

  • Main Grounds — 10:00–17:00 (open daily; closes slightly earlier in winter).
  • Painted Hall — Usually 10:00–17:00 with last entry around 16:30.
  • Visitor Centre — Typically 10:00–17:00.
  • Chapel of St Peter & St Paul — Generally 10:00–17:00, though hours vary for services and events.
  • Café — Usually 10:00–16:00.
  • Grounds & Riverside Paths — Open during estate hours; occasionally extended in summer.

Tickets & Pricing

  • Adult Ticket — £19 for General Admission to the Painted Hall, Chapel, Discover Greenwich, Nelson Room, and tours.
  • Discover Greenwich Museum Only — £3 (museum‑only entry).
  • Concessions — £9.50 for Students, National Art Pass holders, Armed Forces serving personnel & veterans. Proof required.
  • Universal Credit Day Ticket — £2. Proof required.
  • Children (0–16) — Free (up to 4 children per paying adult).
  • Royal Navy Personnel & Veterans — Free.
  • Carers / Personal Assistants — Free when accompanying a visitor with disabilities.

Top Things To Do

  • Painted Hall — Explore the “UK’s Sistine Chapel,” with James Thornhill’s vast Baroque ceiling and wall murals.
  • Chapel of St Peter & St Paul — Admire one of Britain’s finest neoclassical interiors, with its pale blue and gold colour scheme.
  • Discover Greenwich — Visit the museum for the full story of Greenwich Palace, the Royal Hospital, and naval history.
  • Nelson Room — See where Admiral Nelson lay in state after Trafalgar.
  • Guided Tours — Join expert-led tours covering architecture, history, filming locations, and hidden areas.
  • Film Location Walk — Explore spots used in Thor: The Dark World, Les Misérables, The Crown, Cruella, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more.
  • Riverside Walk — Stroll along the Thames with views of Canary Wharf and the Queen’s House axis.
  • Skittle Alley — Visit the historic Victorian bowling alley hidden beneath the buildings (open on select tours).
  • Secret Dome Tour — Climb inside the famous domes for panoramic views and behind-the-scenes architecture.
  • Café & Courtyard — Relax with coffee in one of London’s most atmospheric historic courtyards.
  • Evening Events — Enjoy concerts, talks, and special exhibitions held throughout the year.

Films Shot at the Old Royal Naval College

  • The Aeronauts
  • Amazing Grace
  • Blitz
  • Born a King
  • The Bounty
  • The Boys in the Boat
  • The Brothers Grimsby
  • Cinderella
  • The Conjuring: Last Rites
  • Cruella
  • The Dark Knight Rises
  • Darkest Hour
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
  • Dorian Gray
  • The Duchess
  • Eastern Promises
  • Enola Holmes
  • Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
  • Final Portrait
  • Finding Neverland
  • The Foreigner
  • Fountain of Youth
  • Four Weddings and a Funeral
  • The Golden Compass
  • Gulliver’s Travels
  • Holmes and Watson
  • Iron Lady
  • Jack Ryan: Ghost War
  • Jupiter Ascending
  • Jurassic World: Rebirth
  • Killers Anonymous
  • The King’s Speech
  • Kingsman: The Golden Circle
  • Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
  • The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
  • Les Miserables
  • The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
  • The Mummy Returns
  • Muppets Most Wanted
  • Napoleon
  • National Treasure: Book of Secrets
  • Now You See Me 2
  • Octopussy
  • Operation Mincemeat
  • Patriot Games
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
  • The Queen
  • Quills
  • Red, White and Royal Blue
  • Revolver
  • Scoop
  • Sense & Sensibility
  • Shanghai Knights
  • Sherlock Holmes
  • Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
  • Skyfall
  • Starter For 10
  • Thor: The Dark World
  • Victoria & Abdul
  • The Wolfman
  • The Woman In Black: Angel of Death
  • Young Victoria