The Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College occupies an ancient Site, on which was located the Royal palace of Bella Court that was built by Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, brother of the late Henry V. He also built a fortress in the Park later to be known as Duke Humphrey's Tower. On his death in 1447, the manor of Greenwich reverted to the Crown. Bella Court was then re-named Placentia; it became the residence of Margaret of Anjou, wife of HenryVI. The Palace became a principal residence of the monarchy for the next 200 years, rebuilt during Henry VII's reign, it was destined to become the birthplace of Henry VIII and his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. Charles II started redevelopment, but plans failed for lack of funds and only one wing was completed, now part of King Charles block. After the defeat of the French at La Hogue in 1692, Queen Mary urged that work should be resumed and the building used as a naval hospital.

Greenwich Hospital was established in 1694 by Royal Charter for the relief and support of seamen and their dependants and for the improvement of navigation. The Charter granted and endowed the Royal Palace and grounds for this purpose. Over the years the property was held for the Crown by various Commissioners, and more recently by the Admiralty. The freehold of the property remains with Greenwich Hospital but responsibility has now passed to a specially established trust, the Greenwich Foundation.

Sir Christopher Wren planned the site and during the first half of the eighteenth century various illustrious architects, such as Hawksmoor and Vanburgh, completed Wren's grand design. The elaborate ceiling and wall paintings in the Great Hall (known as the Painted Hall) were executed by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726. James Stuart restored the chapel after a fire in 1779. Until 1873 the complex included the Infirmary, now the Dreadnought building, which is currently being restored by the University of Greenwich.

From the early nineteenth century the buildings now housing the National Maritime Museum served as the Royal Hospital School until 1933. In 1873 the site became the Royal Naval College beginning a training function which continued until 1998.

The greater part of three of the principal buildings will be occupied by the University of Greenwich, which has also acquired separately a long lease on the Dreadnought building. They intend to take occupation of the Dreadnought building and the Queen Anne building, where they will establish a Maritime Research Institute, in Autumn 1999, and the Queen Mary and King William buildings over the following two years. The King Charles building is destined for Trinity College of Music. Other buildings (particularly the Painted Hall and the Chapel), the grounds and visitor arrangements will remain under the direct control of the Foundation.

Opening Times

The Painted Hall and the Chapel are generally open free to visitors daily between 12 noon and 5.00 pm. Choral Eucharist is celebrated in the Chapel every Sunday at 11 am and visitors are welcome. Following the departure of the Royal Navy in 1999 there will be substantial building and landscaping work as part of plans for extending public access. While this work is in progress the current arrangements for public access will continue, with longer term arrangements to be announced in due course.

For further details call +44 (0)208 858 2256.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8856 5000 - Fax: +44 (0)20 8856 1117
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