Are you moving to Greenwich, London?
Literally the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the Royal London Borough of Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in South-east London, Greenwich is a popular location for those looking for a home steeped in history.
The area runs along the south bank of the River Thames, along 8.5 miles of waterfront. It’s also home to the O2 venue, the only real cable car in London and large amounts of green space including London’s oldest Royal Park.
Greenwich’s history
The area was officially brought together as a borough in 1965, when the former borough of Greenwich was merged with the majority of the area of Woolwich.
More recently, Greenwich was one of the six London locations for the 2012 Olympics: hosting the shooting at the Royal Artillery Barracks, and the equestrian events at Greenwich Park and the O2.
On the 3rd of February that year, the borough also became a Royal Borough as part of the celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Greenwich: the history, the highlights
Much of what makes Greenwich so great is made up of the mix of the old and the new: enjoying all of the historical amenities and attractions today make this a great location to spend time or live in.
Some of the best historical attractions can become part of your everyday life as a resident in Greenwich. Here’s our top picks:
The Old Royal Naval College – designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The elegant and impressive neoclassical chapel and grounds are perfect for pre or post work walks and are popular with dog walkers and runners.
Eltham Palace – 1930s art deco mansion, with 19 acres of grounds, which was a popular with Henry VIII who used to visit. Again, the impressive mansion and its grounds make for the perfect after work spot for a relaxing walk or a cup of coffee with a friend.
Queens House – one of the Royal Museums and built in 1616, the Queens House is home to over 400 years’ worth of art, architecture and history. With so many exhibits, and one-off attractions visiting, this will become a staple venue for weekend mornings.
If you’re considering a move to Greenwich and don’t know the area, or you’re moving and want to get to know the best parts of the area for you, try our Area orientation service. We make moving home easy.
Things to do in Greenwich
With so much history steeped into the borough, much of the best things to do here are historical attractions and sights. Here’s a list of our favourite things to do for new movers to the area:
• Visit the Royal Observatory – home of the Prime Meridian Line and the UK’s largest refracting telescope, the exhibits show you how scientists first mapped the sea, sky and stars. And there’s a 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid here too!
• Jump aboard the Cutty Sark – discover the life onboard a 19th century tea ship, on the only one still in existence.
• Take a picnic to Greenwich Park – step inside London’s oldest Royal Park (and home to the Observatory), take in the views of this old hunting park and see if you can spot the wild deer.
• Shop your way through Greenwich Market – this is your one stop shop for amazing hidden gems, homeware and gifts. The market’s open every day, and there’s the delicious Pavilion food court so you don’t need to leave when you need to refuel!
• Enjoy 360 degrees view of the River Thames – take a trip on the Emirates Air Line cable car. It’s the only real cable car in London and reaches heights of 90m. Go after 7pm in the summer for the best views and a longer ride.
Where to live in Greenwich
Greenwich house prices are, perhaps surprisingly, amongst the most affordable in London. This factor alone draws new movers to the Zone 2 and 3 area. And the council tax here is amongst the lowest in London too.
There are also two distinct areas within the borough, offering completely different living styles. But no matter where you pick, there is a slower pace of life than the rest of London, with more time and space to enjoy the leafy streets and sprawling park.
If you are looking for old-world charm, and perhaps a Victorian or Georgian property, the area around the park is right for you. This is a prestigious area and the property here does come at a premium. And for those who enjoy modern city living, the Millennium Village is a great choice.
If you’d like help finding the right area, or home, for your move to Greenwich, we’re here to help. Our Home finding experts are on hand to make your move easy.
Family life and education in Greenwich
The borough is home to some great independent and state schools. Some of the most popular are Halstow Primary School, St Peter’s CofE Primary School, St Ursula’s Convent School and Blackheath School.
For those looking for to study or work in higher education, there is the prestigious University of Greenwich located within the borough, and a large number of other universities and campuses across London.
If you and your family want help making the school transition easy, making sure you find the perfect fit for your needs, discover our School search service.
Greenwich travel information
Greenwich benefits from excellent transport links throughout the borough. Thanks to the miles of waterfront throughout the borough, there is river transport here: the Thames Clippers take commuters and travellers from Woolwich to Canary Wharf and the City by boat.
There are also over 13 stations servicing the borough, as well as 5 DLR (Docklands Light Railway) stations which can get you directly to Stratford, London City Airport and central London. There is only one London Underground station in the borough – North Greenwich – which is on the Jubilee Line. And there are good bus links running to several areas of London.
How can Santa Fe Relocation help with your Greenwich move?
We believe that no move should be stressful, so we take care of everything. At Santa Fe Relocation we can help with finding your ideal home or school, offer a full removals service (including valuation, storage and unpacking), and even a local area orientation. We make moving home easy for you.
