Our three most important possessions are our health, relationships with the people we love, and time. Time, measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, or years is our metre of that third most important valuable that is calculated the same by every nation. However, we know that sunrise to sunset is not at the same hour every day depending on where you are in the world. So that we can measure where we are as it relates to time in other places, we associate our local time relative to zero. For instance, + 11 hours is Sydney Australia and Los Angeles, USA is minus eight hours. That zero just happens to be in the UK and an ideal place to explore beyond its impact on time. It is Royal Greenwich and the point from where the world measures time through Greenwich Mean Time.

Where good times begin

Visitors can stand on the Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory, take in the historic sites within Greenwich Park or tour the Cutty Sark which is the world’s last remaining tea clipper. Elsewhere guests can take in the baroque innovation of the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, referred to as the UK’s Sistine Chapel or explore Britain’s naval history at the National Maritime Museum that contains treasures galore, including the coat that Admiral Lord Nelson wore at the Battle of Trafalgar when he was fatally shot. Fashion aficionados can shop the fabulous designer-maker arts and crafts in historic Greenwich Market or the O2 before climbing up on the roof of the world’s most popular entertainment venue at Up at The O2 and toast the feat with a glass of champagne at the top. The day does not end there with other experiences including a flight over the river Thames on the Emirates Air Line cable car towards the Shard. There guests can indulge in the lavish surroundings of the five-star Shangri La hotel and enjoy fine dining at Ting in the sky.

Past, present and future 

Greenwich has been a hub of entertainment since Shakespeare’s time and it is now home to The O2, built to mark the millennium and the most popular entertainment venue in the world – which looks like an alien spaceship has landed on the Thames. Yet the origins of modern time in the western world are synonymous with the Greenwich Observatory owned by Royal Museums Greenwich. This grand building built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1676 straddles the Meridien and is where Greenwich Mean Time is decided. This is the prime meridian of the world and the location of zero longitude where one can stand with a foot in each hemisphere and watch the ball drop at 1pm. Inside the museum one can peer into the telescopes of the world’s greatest astronomers and imagine what they must have felt discovering the origins of time.

At the top of Greenwich Park at Observatory Hill visitors can survey incredible views of the World Heritage Site and beyond to the London skyline where avant guard designed buildings blend with the traditional.  The Queens House was the first classical building in England, built by Inigo Jones who was influenced by the Italian style. Inside artworks by J.M.W Turner, Joshua Reynolds, William Hogarth and the Armada portrait of Elizabeth I hang on the walls. The Queens House is flanked by the Old Royal Naval College – an impressive building designed by Wren in 1692 as a home for retired British seamen.  These atmospheric grounds and courtyards encompass some of the most inspiring architecture in the world. On these grounds once stood King Henry VIIIs Tudor Palace where his daughters Queen Mary I and Elizabeth I were born.

The Cutty Sark was one of the first tea clippers to sail to England from China bringing the taste of the orient to the capital between 1870 and 1877. Later she brought Merino Wool from Australia between 1883 and 1895. Docked now permanently in Greenwich she is the last remaining tea clipper in the world and a reminder of the great age of sail. For a time during the 19^th Century, she was considered one of the fastest ships in the world. Today she is set upon the museum roof and the copper hull protrudes in the hall below providing great entertainment and history for visitors eager to learn of Greenwich’s maritime links.

Where to stay

At top of the hill, just beyond Greenwich Park, is The Clarendon hotel with over 100 luxurious deluxe and family rooms that can accommodate up to five by adjoining two bedrooms. Each room is infused with historical influences referencing the Heath where kings and queens met and important battles took place, and many have views looking directly out onto it. Guests can breakfast overlooking the Heath in the Meridian restaurant or later take the Clarendon Afternoon Tea before discovering Blackheath’s opulent boutiques.

Further upriver is the InterContinental London – The O2 is a riverside hotel and situated on the vibrant Greenwich Peninsula. The hotel features 453 spacious contemporary bedrooms including 59 elegant suites, five restaurants and bars including the Michelin-plate Peninsula restaurant and a stunning 18th floor sky bar which can be exclusively hired.  The hotel also features direct access to the O2, via a private walkway and a complimentary hotel shuttle service from North Greenwich station. The Emirates Airline cable car for ExCeL London, the North Greenwich Pier and London’s West End is perfectly connected from North Greenwich underground station.

Why not stay on the water itself aboard the luxurious Sunborn London floating super-yacht hotel in Royal Victoria Dock. Guests can step into a lavish world of luxury surrounded by exquisite furnishings, crisp linens and bespoke bathrooms and panoramic views across the river that lead on to a private terrace or balcony. The impressive 108-metre floating hotel has 136 spacious guest rooms as well as an elegant restaurant, lounge bar, day spa and events suite offering expansive views of Canary Wharf and it has a sister yacht in Gibraltar. to this famously exclusive setting.

Dining out

Greenwich is teeming with characterful pubs and restaurants. One of the most famous ones is the Trafalgar Tavern where Dickens once drank and was inspired by the life of London around him. This was a famous place for politicians who flocked from central London to enjoy the famous white bait. Every nook and cranny of this high-ceilinged pub, with many rooms, is heaving with interesting ornaments and timepieces pointing to the maritime history even the figurehead of Nelson on the bar. Gaze out of the bay windows for a stunning view of the Thames while cradling a gin and tonic, perhaps order some fizz and stay on for a delicious meal.

In the shadow of the Cutty Sark stands the Gypsy Moth pub – a boho place where the artwork on the walls tells the stories of sailors and the tea clippers which visited Greenwich. Serving up gastro pub fayre with a beautiful garden at the back, this is an ideal place for a family meal. Alternatively, the Greenwich Tavern, set on the corner of King William Walk overlooking Greenwich Park has a jovial atmosphere that swings between spirited and jolly to relaxed and mellow, depending on which of the tavern’s two floors you choose. Downstairs sees a modern, vibrant décor against the backdrop of the vintage building while upstairs you’ll find a sophisticated lounge bar with chic leather sofas to sink into and relax.

If it’s fine dining you prefer, head on to the Peninsula at the Intercontinental for gourmet food. Gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows for dramatic views of Canary Wharf while grazing on Michelin-star cuisine and enjoy astounding views across the river. The menu offers a rich tapestry of modern European cuisine and specialises in Nordic dishes. Awarded three A Rosettes, the venue offers an impressive wine list to accompany the three-course set menu or the devilish seven courses tasting menus served in the Aurora ballroom or private dining suite seating 24 guests.

Greenwich market is London’s only historic marketplace set in a World Heritage Site. Established by Royal Charter in 1700, it originally sold fruit and livestock but today Greenwich market is a hub of activity and the centre of shopping life packed with arts, crafts, antiques, fashion, and jewellery. Most of all it is a place where the whole family can enjoy great street food. There you’ll find all sorts of edible goodies from around the world – the choice ranges from Korean classics like Salmon Teriyaki, to a gourmet hot dog, even roast beef and local artisanal products. Here one can select vintage clothes, quirky jewellery, artwork, homemade crafts and rare antiques.

Set sail into the past, present and future

In the spirit of adventure, take a thrilling uber clipper boat over to Greenwich Peninsula – an amazing 21st century space with its most famous landmark The O2. There is the chance to walk up and over the roof with UP at the O2 where guests need to pull themselves up on a winch to reach the top of the world’s largest tent for a thrilling ascent rewarding themselves with a glass of champagne at the top. As they look out over the Greenwich skyline, they can also imagine the musical greats and comedy acts playing just below in The O2 arena. In the O2 Arena are scores of designer shops and restaurants to dine in the chance to soar over the London skyline at London in the Sky, a 22-seat Sky Table where a crane hoists diners, table and waiting staff 100ft in the air to enjoy food and drink accompanied by unique views of the capital.

A great time in Royal Greenwich

 Greenwich has so much to offer from history, culture, adventure, grand gastronomy and more. This suburb of London has many spectacular events from recreating the northern lights over the skies to a comedy festival featuring all the greats and entertainment from superstars at the O2. There are amazing places to dine and stay and it is not far from London by uber boat, making it a perfect family getaway. As your time in Greenwich draws to a close, experience an iconic sunset as you leave the peninsula by uber clipper and sail back on down the Thames past the glittering towers of Canary Wharf, through Tower Bridge, London Bridge and the Tower of London travelling back to historic London and into the future past the Shard and OXO Tower, alighting at Embankment. This is an unforgettable trip of a lifetime and while you are there never forgetting you have stood on time zero – the point where all time in the world is measured.