| Painted Hall Old Royal Naval College (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Painted Hall Old Royal Naval College
Photographer Description of Painted Hall Old Royal Naval College
Panorama showing the inside of the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London. This picture was taken hand held and gives some impression of the decoration on the inside of this amazing dining hall.Painted Hall Old Royal Naval College - Further Information
The Painted hall of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, southeast London, is considered by some to be the 'finest dining hall in the Western world'. The interior is indeed stunning, decorated with paintings by James Thornhill, and is part of the King William Court. The building was designed by Christopher Wren and was pretty much completed by 1703. However, the decorations on the interior took another 19 years to finish.In 1806 the body of Admiral Nelson lay in state inside the Painted Hall following his death at the Battle of Trafalgar. In 1824 the Painted Hall became the 'National Gallery of Naval Art', a role it retained until the works were transferred to the nearby in the 1930's. Thereafter the hall reverted to previous use as a dining hall.
Today, the Painted Hall is a popular attraction of the Old Royal Naval College. It stands opposite the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul and is open to the public. It is still used for special dining events in the evenings.
The Old Royal Naval College is part of Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, which also includes the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park and nearby Cutty Sark.
Address:
Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College
2, Cutty Sark Gardens
Greenwich
SE10 9LW
Phone: +44 (0)20 8269 4747
Travel Directions and Getting There:
Bus: Greenwich Village, Romney Road
Tube: North Greenwich (Jubilee Line)
Ferry: Greenwich Pier
Train: Blackheath, Greenwich and Maze Hill stations
Dockland Light Railway (DLR): Cutty Sark Station and walk through Greenwich Market.