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London Tickets Royal Observatory Greenwich Opening Hours

Royal Observatory Greenwich Opening Times: Last Entry and Closed Days

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is open until 2 November 2026, then First Light closes the site. Until then it runs daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., last entry 4:15 p.m. September hours run to 6:00 p.m. The planetarium is already shut.

When the Royal Observatory Greenwich is open

The Royal Observatory Greenwich stays open until 2 November 2026. First Light then closes the hill. The museum says the Meridian Courtyard comes back in summer 2027, with tickets on sale in January.

Until then it is open every day. September 2026: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., last entry 5:00 p.m. From October through 2 November it is 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., last entry 4:15 p.m.

The Peter Harrison Planetarium and the Astronomy Centre have been closed since 8 September 2025.

Royal Observatory Greenwich last entry, and what's shut

Royal Observatory Greenwich buildings in Greenwich Park

Daily hours

From October 2026 through 2 November, a standard day is 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last entry is 4:15 p.m. You cannot start after that. People already inside stay until 5:00.

It is open every day in that window, Mondays included. 24, 25 and 26 December are the closed dates the museum lists when the site is running. In 2026 those three days sit after the November close, so they do not change the calendar this year.

Flamsteed House, the Prime Meridian, and the Great Equatorial Telescope are still open. The planetarium and the Astronomy Centre are not.

  • October to 2 November 2026: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Last entry: 4:15 p.m.
  • Open daily until the November close

Royal Observatory Greenwich Time Ball and last entry

greenwich time ball fall

The museum does not publish a quieter hour. If you want the Time Ball, be on the hill before 1:00 p.m. It rises halfway at 12:55, tops the mast at 12:58, and drops at 1:00, GMT in winter and BST in summer. Wind can cancel it.

A last-entry start is a short visit. Standard last entry is 4:15 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. close. In September last entry is 5:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. close. The visit itself ends on 2 November 2026, until the Meridian Courtyard reopens.

Royal Observatory Greenwich address and visit details

The door

The entrance is on Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ, inside Greenwich Park. The museum names Greenwich Station, Cutty Sark DLR, Maze Hill Station, and Greenwich Pier. Address and Directions has the hill walk and the park car park.

Once you are inside

Flamsteed House, the Prime Meridian, and the Great Equatorial Telescope are still open. Bags, the slope, and the First Light works on the south side are on Plan Your Visit.

Royal Observatory Greenwich tickets for these hours

Royal Observatory Greenwich: Admission Ticket

From £24. Timed entry. All visitors need a ticket. It covers the Observatory rooms that are still open. It does not include a planetarium show on the hill.

Royal Observatory Greenwich: Admission Ticket

Highlights

Experience standing on the Prime Meridian, dividing eastern and western hemispheres.

Discover the rich history behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) established here.

View remarkable astronomical instruments and exhibits including John Harrison’s timekeepers.

Time your visit to see the Time Ball drop, a historical time signal at 1 PM daily.

Enjoy panoramic views from this iconic observatory site overlooking Greenwich.

Questions about Royal Observatory Greenwich opening times

What are the Royal Observatory Greenwich opening times?

Until 2 November 2026 it is open daily. September 2026 is 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., last entry 5:00 p.m. From October through 2 November it is 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., last entry 4:15 p.m. First Light then closes the site.

What time is last entry at the Royal Observatory Greenwich?

4:15 p.m. on a standard day, when the site closes at 5:00 p.m. In September 2026 last entry is 5:00 p.m., with a 6:00 p.m. close. Private-event days can finish earlier. After last entry the desks do not start new visits.

Is the Royal Observatory Greenwich open every day?

Yes, while it is still open: every day, including Mondays, until 2 November 2026. The museum's usual closed dates when operating are 24, 25 and 26 December. In 2026 those days fall after the November close.

When does the Royal Observatory Greenwich close for First Light?

The museum says the rest of the Observatory is open until 2 November 2026. From November the site closes. The Meridian Courtyard is due back in summer 2027, with tickets on sale in January. The planetarium and Astronomy Centre have already been closed since 8 September 2025.

Is the Peter Harrison Planetarium open?

No. It has been closed since 8 September 2025 for First Light. There are no shows at the Observatory. The museum put a planetarium experience in the National Maritime Museum as part of Astronomers Take Over, which is a different building.

What time does the Greenwich Time Ball drop?

1:00 p.m. each day it runs: GMT in winter, BST in summer. It rises halfway at 12:55 p.m. and to the top at 12:58 p.m. Wind can cancel it. You need to be on the hill before 1:00 p.m. It is included with Observatory entry.

Does the Royal Observatory Greenwich close early for private events?

Yes. The closures list already has 5:00 p.m. finishes on 19, 23 and 25 September 2026, and a 3:30 p.m. staff close on 7 October 2026 for every Royal Museums Greenwich site. Check that list before you travel; it moves.

This website sells official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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