Old Royal Naval College
The best movie tour in London can be found at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. With more than 600 years of British History – it’s easy to feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Greenwich Palace was the birth place of Tudor Monarchs Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Unfortunately a lot of the palace was destroyed during the Civil War but you can still view what remains. Besides being a palace, it was also home to Greenwich Hospital to treat maritime men. Shortly after the hospital closed, the buildings were converted into a training school for the Royal Naval. In 1998, the site was passed to the Greenwich foundation who opened the grounds up to the public.
Getting to Greenwich
You can access Greenwich via train or boat. Greenwich station is only 8 minutes by train from London Bridge, and the Old Royal Naval College a short walk from there. You can catch the DLR train to Greenwich at various stations throughout the city and your travel time will depend on where you are. (For example it took me over 30 minutes to get there so plan ahead!)
The journey by boat will take longer (around 45 minutes) but will be the most scenic option. You can catch a riverboat service along the Thames to Greenwich Pier. Boats leave frequently from the London Eye, Westminster, Embankment and Tower piers.
Movie Tour
The best movie tour in London is 1 hour long and the perfect London activity for film buffs! Your knowledgeable tour guide brings you around the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, references specific movie or TV scenes using photos they have on hand and gives background information on what it’s like when a film crew is there! Our guide was very fun, quizzing the group about movies and giving anecdotes about actors she’s met while working there. The tour includes access to the Painted Hall, the Chapel & Skittle Alley.
Famous Movies & TV Shows
The Old Royal Naval College has been deemed the most popular filming location in the world – and for good reason! You may recognize it from scenes from the popular Netflix series The Crown and Bridgerton. Or even as the setting for revolutionary Paris in Les Misérables! It’s even been home to an alien invasion in Thor: The Dark World. To name a few additional films, scenes from The Iron Lady, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Cruella, What a Girl Wants, Sherlock Holmes, The King’s Speech, The Dark Knight Rises, Skyfall and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides were all filmed here. Most recently, the blockbuster Napoleon (staring Joaquin Phoenix) used the Old Royal Naval College to represent the streets of Paris! Check out this link for more information: Filming Locations.
The Painted Hall
The Painted Hall is reason enough to visit the Old Royal Naval College (even if you aren’t a movie fan). It’s known as the Sistine Chapel of the UK, with art covering the walls & ceiling, depicting more than 200 figures consisting of Kings, Queens & even mythical creatures. The best movie tour in London ends here, so you can take your time to admire the art, by sitting on the benches along the walls.
Ticket Information
The film tour costs £15 and is offered on Saturdays & Sundays 12:30pm & 2:30pm. If you’re more interested in the history, they also offer a 600 Years of History Tour for £15 at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm daily. For general admission it costs adults £3 to explore the spaces without a guide (children under the age of 16 are free). For the tours, it is recommended to purchase your ticket in advance online, but you may also be able to purchase them at the visitors center depending on availability.
Review
The best movie tour in London is the perfect activity for anyone looking to break away from the traditional sights. Since this was my 4th time back in London, I really enjoyed getting out to Greenwich and off the beaten path. Be sure to add this tour to your London list!
