London Flights - London's Sights

Greenwich and The Royal Observatory

Since 1675, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich has been a very important place. While most people don’t worry about the exact time, time has always been of huge importance at the Royal Observatory. Today, visitors to Greenwich will see many artifacts of time through the ages spanning from when time was measured in quarters of an hour to the clocks of today. This is also the location of the Prime Meridian, so you can literally stand in two times at one time.

The Royal Observatory wasn’t always housed in Greenwich, but because of continued urbanization the location has moved from one place to another over time. Some sites were located in Cambridge, others were located in Sussex, and others were used along the way as well. Original buildings became part of the National Maritime Museum. This seemed fitting because the observatory was funded originally to aid in navigation.

Of course, over the centuries the need for technological advancements was needed by many. Luckily, by the 18th century technology was well on its way and in 1714 a Board of Longitude was established. A £20,000 reward was ultimately rewarded to a little known Yorkshire carpenter and clockmaker, John Harrison, to help develop accurate time keeping instruments. The United States and others chose to depend on charts and such at Greenwich as the standard and the official site of the Prime Meridian has been in Greenwich ever since.

Visitors today can observe the trials and tribulations that were experienced to find a way to keep time accurately. John Harrison came up with several techniques, all of which are housed in the Harrison Gallery. Interestingly, all of the inventions have been preserved so well that they are all still in working order.

It’s not only John Harrison’s inventions to keep accurate time that can be seen in Greenwich. A Red Time ball has been sliding up and down a pole on the top of Flamsteed House for a while. The ball marks the time and has provided entertainment and been the object of intrigue for many. The invention can be seen for miles on a clear day.

Another interesting sight is the digital read out that is in one wall. The clock is connected and kept accurate by 200 atomic clocks all around the world. This is said to be one of the most accurate time pieces available today. Also available for observation are 360 telescopes, some of which date back to the 17th century.

Naturally, while here, you will want to stand on both sides of the Prime Meridian and take a photo. There aren't many opportunities, after all, to be in two times at the same place. The Royal Observatory is very easy to get to via the Tube, simply exit at North Greenwich and you’ll find your way there.