Greenwich Day Date
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 Be a tourist for the day and take the boat to Greenwich for a fantstically full date! |
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Date Description |
   South, East |
Be a tourist for the day and take the boat to Greenwich for a fantstically full date!
Meet at Embankment (or any of the other piers along the Thames) and hop on board the Thames Clipper. There are plenty of other boats but Greenwich is a long way and this is the fastest option. Plus it is a "commuter service" so you wont feel like quite such a tourist!
This is almost the best part of the date so enjoy. You get to see London from a whole new angle by boat and it's a great way to fall in love with the city all over again, not to mention your date... You'll pass the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Southbank, Somerset House, the Globe Theatre, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, not to mention all the fantastic bridges you go under and old wharfs you whiz by. We recommend, actually insist, that you sit or stand outside to make the most of this journey. There is usually a bar on board which means you can grab a coffee, or something a little stronger, to keep you warm.
As you approach Greenwich the magnificent Old Royal Naval College will come in to view. It is staggeringly impressive and will make you wonder why you don't come here more often. Disembark with your date and head up the pier to the old Naval College. You can wonder round the outside at your leisure and we would definitely recommend popping in to the Painted Hall and the chapel - both free and incredibly beautiful.
Next, wander in to town to explore some of the quirky shops and cafes including the fabulous Greenwich Market. This is a great place to grab some lunch - the stalls range from Brazilian to Ethiopian, via Turkish and Italian so should be something for even the most demanding date!
After lunch head to the National Maritime Museum which is fascinating - and free. Next door is the Queen's House, equally fascinating and equally free, not to mention one of the most important buildings in British architectural history, designed by the famous Inigo Jones in 1614.
From the Queen's House, head up the hill to the Observatory. It's a bit of a hike so why not sit down on the grass at the top and admire the amazing panoramic views across London. A good location for some cheesy romantic photos!
Once you've regained some energy head into the Royal Observatory. Again this is free so you can spend as much or as little time as you want. Speaking of time, don't miss the Prime Meridian - the arbitrary point where the world is divided into the East and Western Hemispheres and time zones are calculated with reference to Greenwich Mean Time.
At this point your brain will be saturated with knowledge and the conundrums of space and time. The best way to deal with this? Head back in to town for a pre dinner drink. We suggest the Coach and Horses in Greenwich Market, an 18th century inn brought up to date without losing its charm.
Now: time for supper. There are plenty of restaurants in Greenwich but we love the Rivington Grill because of its classic menu, simple decor and charming staff. There's also a great wine list, but if you don't want to spend too much we'd recommend the Berry's Good Ordinary Claret and the Marsanne/Viognier Dom de la Cessane 2007. Another tip, ask for one of the romantic tables for two on the mezzanine level...
Make sure you check the boat times before you leave the restaurant, giving yourself enough time for a romantic stroll along the river to the pier - rather than a manic rush with an undigested meal!
As you would imagine the journey back is beautiful, with London sparkling in all its nighttime finery. Unfortunately the bar isn't open on the way home so you'll have to find your own means of keeping warm!
p.s. if you are superhuman and can fit anything else in to your day then Vanbrugh Castle and Ranger's House are well worth a visit.
Tags
london south east SE10 culture romance weekend date greenwichContact information
| The Old Royal Naval College | |||||||
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| The National Maritime Museum | |||||||||
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| Greenwich Market | |||||||
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| The Rivington Grill | |||||||
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Reviews
| Can`t wait to do it! I know Greenwich quite well and wow! it is a very well composed tour! My date hasn`t been there yet, so I`ll be his guide. Only addition I would do to it is the Trafalgar Tavern for a pint. Fantastic views to the Thames, live music if you are lucky enough. Reviewer : Lili Submitted : 2011-05-28 15:13:13 |
| loved this one! Greenwich is a great day out. So much to do and so much of it is free! Great for a credit crunch date! The boat was exhilarating, and interesting to see London from a different view point. And then if you come back at night-time it looks totally different. Another tip: if you're lucky enough to be there at the right time of year, the rose garden at the Ranger's House is astonishing. Reviewer : Robbie Submitted : 2009-06-02 11:19:52 |
| fantastic What a fantastic date! It is long though if you do everything suggested, so be warned. There is so much to see and do it feels like a mini holiday, and you feel miles away from London. The food at Rivington was brilliant - fish and chips come highly recommended - and you should definitely ask for a table on the mezzanine level which is more romantic than downstairs. Reviewer : Sophie Submitted : 2009-06-02 09:34:09 |
