The Queen’s House is part of Maritime Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful buildings that is free to visit in this picturesque part of London. You can book online but we just walked up and went on the guided tour.
The guide tells you all about the history of the artefacts and the building itself. One of the most striking things you see as you go inside is the Tulip Stairs made of intricate wought iron. It was the first self-supporting spiral stair in Britain. The designer of the staircase Nicholas Stone also laid the black and white flooring. According to those who work in the building there is even a ghost. I took a photo of that doorway but no ethereal spirit was forthcoming.
As well as early artwork, there are also contemporary works and sculptures blending in perfectly with the 17th century interiors. The guide talked about the meanings within the historic paintings such as the portrait of Queen Elizabeth 1st, which depicted her power and majesty and commemorated the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The architect of the Old Royal Naval College buildings Sir Christopher Wren was instructed by Queen Mary 2nd that they should not block the views of the River Thames. So even today there is a marvellous vista from all the windows. It was completed by Inigo Jones in the 1630’s for Anne of Denmark, the wife of King James 1st as a luxurious retreat for Kings and Queens. It was Jones’s first major commission with the introduction of Palladianism. Today there are over 450 artworks from a variety of periods including Holbein, Turner, Canaletto, Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Lowry. The main focus of the artworks is a collection of maritime paintings and portraits. It has always been a thriving studio for artists and craftsmen and during the 17th century was called the Royal “House of Delights” – and it certainly is delightful.
You can get to Maritime Greenwich by various buses to Romney Road (postcode SE10 9NF), by metro to Maritime Greenwich DLR station and via river to Greenwich Pier. Of course, the Queen’s House is adjacent to the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory. They are all within easy walking distance of each other and each building has lifts to the upper floors.
We visited in early November and the area was surprisingly peaceful. If you are visiting London, the Queen’s House in Greenwich is defintely a hidden gem.
