Old Royal Naval College

Here is a place where three Tudor monarchs drew their first breath, where wounded sailors found refuge, and where Britain trained the naval officers who would command the world's most powerful fleet. Standing along the Thames riverbank in Greenwich, these grand baroque buildings with their distinctive twin domes were designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1696 and 1712. This site once held the Palace of Placentia, birthplace of Henry VIII in 1491, and his daughters Mary I and Elizabeth I.

The palace was Henry's favourite residence until it fell into ruin during the English Civil War. Queen Mary II ordered the creation of the Royal Hospital for Seamen here in 1692 after witnessing injured men returning from the Battle of La Hogue. The hospital provided care for over 2,500 wounded and retired Royal Navy sailors until 1869. Look closely at the twin domes. One clock face displays compass directions instead of hours, allowing ships on the river to check wind direction instantly during the age of sail.

Inside lies the Painted Hall, where James Thornhill spent 19 years covering 40,000 square feet with elaborate ceiling paintings celebrating British naval power. The artwork underwent an 8.5 million pound restoration completed in 2019. From 1873 to 1998, these buildings served as the Royal Naval College, training 27,000 officers as the navy transitioned from sail to steam power. In 1939, women began training here as part of the Women's Royal Naval Service during World War II.