Local Guides World
Historic meridian line demarcating the earth's western & eastern hemispheres, plus a small museum.
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Reviews — 8
The Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is a fascinating location that holds immense historical significance. Standing at the dividing line between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres is a unique experience. The site offers a chance to straddle time itself, with the world-famous Prime Meridian Line.
Inside the observatory, there are informative exhibitions about the history of timekeeping and navigation, making it an educational visit. The view from the hilltop is exceptional, providing a panoramic vista of London and the River Thames. The nearby Flamsteed House and the Great Equatorial Telescope are also worth exploring.
However, it's essential to be prepared for crowds, especially during peak tourist seasons. Tickets can be a bit pricey, but the experience is worth it for history and science enthusiasts. Visiting the Prime Meridian is a journey through time and space, offering a unique perspective on our world's geography and history.
Inside the observatory, there are informative exhibitions about the history of timekeeping and navigation, making it an educational visit. The view from the hilltop is exceptional, providing a panoramic vista of London and the River Thames. The nearby Flamsteed House and the Great Equatorial Telescope are also worth exploring.
However, it's essential to be prepared for crowds, especially during peak tourist seasons. Tickets can be a bit pricey, but the experience is worth it for history and science enthusiasts. Visiting the Prime Meridian is a journey through time and space, offering a unique perspective on our world's geography and history.
A prime meridian for a planetary body not tidally locked (or at least not in synchronous rotation) is entirely arbitrary, unlike an equator, which is determined by the axis of rotation. However, for celestial objects that are tidally locked (more specifically, synchronous), their prime meridians are determined by the face always inward of the orbit (a planet facing its star, or a moon facing its planet), just as equators are determined by rotation.
Longitudes for the Earth and Moon are measured from their prime meridian (at 0°) to 180° east and west. For all other Solar System bodies, longitude is measured from 0° (their prime meridian) to 360°. West longitudes are used if the rotation of the body is prograde (or 'direct', like Earth), meaning that its direction of rotation is the same as that of its orbit. East longitudes are used if the rotation is retrograde.
Longitudes for the Earth and Moon are measured from their prime meridian (at 0°) to 180° east and west. For all other Solar System bodies, longitude is measured from 0° (their prime meridian) to 360°. West longitudes are used if the rotation of the body is prograde (or 'direct', like Earth), meaning that its direction of rotation is the same as that of its orbit. East longitudes are used if the rotation is retrograde.
Make this a stop on your London visit. Informative and concise information. Lots to see and the view onto the city is spectacular. We pre-booked tickets for 1500 and walked straight in.
I have been waiting for many years to visit Prime Meridian & walk on the line & finally I made it.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful experience. View from Prime Meridian is absolutely stunning.
It was great to see the whole history & instruments in the museum.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful experience. View from Prime Meridian is absolutely stunning.
It was great to see the whole history & instruments in the museum.
Great location for some photos across Greenwich park and the river to the city. There is a short but steep section of footpath near the top by the Royal Observatory. Lots of trees in the park for shade on a sunny day.
It’s the famous meridian line which defines the east and west part of the world according to the time zone. I think to visit the meridian line was free of cost before but in my recent visit I experienced £18 entry fee. There is a museum inside included in this entry fee. Nothing hype, but visiting once is definitely recommended.
You have to pay to get inside the observatory and to see the meridian line. But if you walk just outside the building, there's a small black gate that gets you on a path where you can see some of the line and has a great view of the Greenwich harbor.
