Greenwich's royal park climbs to the most popular viewpoint over the London skyline, beside the Royal Observatory where the Prime Meridian begins.
Photo: The Royal Parks
Distance
2.5 km
Time
About an hour with time at the top
Difficulty
Moderate – one steep climb up the hill to the Royal Observatory.
Start
Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich
Past
King William Walk and the National Maritime Museum, The hilltop by the Royal Observatory, the park's most popular viewpoint over the London skyline, Blackheath Avenue, One Tree Hill, a quieter summit loved by artists and writers, The bandstand area, near the site of a Roman temple (AD 100–400)
Season
Pedestrian gates 06:00–18:00 at this time of year (Royal Parks page, read 28 October 2026).
With children
The hill is steep for little legs and pushchairs; the park playground is in the north-east corner. The Royal Observatory itself closes for refurbishment on 2 November 2026.
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