Greenwich is a small town located in the southeast of London, England. Despite its size, it is one of the most famous places in London and has a rich history that dates back centuries. In this article, we will explore why Greenwich near London is so famous.
The Prime Meridian
One of the main reasons why Greenwich is famous is because it is home to the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and divides the Earth into two hemispheres – east and west. It was first established in 1851 by Sir George Airy at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
Fun Fact: The Prime Meridian is also known as the Greenwich Meridian.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Another reason why Greenwich is famous is because of its association with GMT or Greenwich Mean Time. GMT was also established at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and was used as a standard time across the world for many years.
Fun Fact: GMT was replaced by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 1972, but it is still used as a reference time by many countries.
The Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich was founded by King Charles II in 1675 and has played a significant role in astronomy and navigation ever since. It was here that Sir Christopher Wren designed and built Flamsteed House, which became the home of Britain’s first Astronomer Royal – John Flamsteed.
The observatory also houses several historic telescopes, including the Great Equatorial Telescope, which was used to observe stars and planets in great detail during the 19th century.
The Cutty Sark
Greenwich is also famous for being home to The Cutty Sark – one of the last surviving tea clippers in the world. The Cutty Sark was built in 1869 and was used to transport tea from China to Great Britain. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and museum.
Fun Fact: The Cutty Sark was named after a Scottish poem by Robert Burns, which featured a character named Nannie Dee who wore a “cutty sark” or short shirt.
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is located in Greenwich and is home to one of the largest maritime collections in the world. It has over 2 million objects that tell the story of Britain’s seafaring history, including ship models, paintings, and marine art.
Fun Fact: The museum was founded in 1934 and was originally housed in the Royal Hospital School in Greenwich.
The River Thames
Finally, Greenwich is famous for its location on the River Thames. The river has played a significant role in London’s history and Greenwich has been an important port for centuries. Today, visitors can take boat tours along the river and enjoy stunning views of London’s skyline.
Fun Fact: The River Thames is 215 miles long and flows through several counties before reaching London.
In conclusion, Greenwich near London is famous for several reasons – the Prime Meridian, GMT, the Royal Observatory, The Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and its location on the River Thames. Whether you are interested in astronomy or maritime history, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this small but historic town.