Greenwich Panorama
A sweeping view of the East End of London from a position next to the Greenwich Observatory.
At the bottom of the hill is The Queen's House, nowadays part of the National Maritime Museum. Originally part of the Royal Palace of Placentia, it was meant by King James I to be the home of his consort, Anne of Denmark. Inigo Jones was the architect, and construction started in 1616 but the Queen died in 1619 and work was stopped until 10 years later, when King Charles I gave it to his new Queen, Henrietta Maria. Inigo Jones was recalled and the exterior work was completed some six years later. However, the Queen stayed there only briefly, before the start of the Civil War in 1642.
After the Restoration, Charles II had the House enlarged by John Webb in 1662 to provide a residence while the new palace of Placentia was being built, as the original had been badly damaged during the time of the Commonwealth. (This is now the site of the Royal Naval College). In 1690, it became the official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park. In 1806 the Naval Asylum School moved into the House; it was linked along the line of the old road to extensions on either side by colonnades in 1816. The school (renamed the Royal Hospital School in 1821) moved out in 1933, and the buildings were opened in 1937 as the National Maritime Museum.
Beyond it can be seen the financial district on the Isle of Dogs, whilst off to the far left can be seen Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral.
Greenwich Panorama
A sweeping view of the East End of London from a position next to the Greenwich Observatory.
At the bottom of the hill is The Queen's House, nowadays part of the National Maritime Museum. Originally part of the Royal Palace of Placentia, it was meant by King James I to be the home of his consort, Anne of Denmark. Inigo Jones was the architect, and construction started in 1616 but the Queen died in 1619 and work was stopped until 10 years later, when King Charles I gave it to his new Queen, Henrietta Maria. Inigo Jones was recalled and the exterior work was completed some six years later. However, the Queen stayed there only briefly, before the start of the Civil War in 1642.
After the Restoration, Charles II had the House enlarged by John Webb in 1662 to provide a residence while the new palace of Placentia was being built, as the original had been badly damaged during the time of the Commonwealth. (This is now the site of the Royal Naval College). In 1690, it became the official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park. In 1806 the Naval Asylum School moved into the House; it was linked along the line of the old road to extensions on either side by colonnades in 1816. The school (renamed the Royal Hospital School in 1821) moved out in 1933, and the buildings were opened in 1937 as the National Maritime Museum.
Beyond it can be seen the financial district on the Isle of Dogs, whilst off to the far left can be seen Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral.