Royal Greenwich has a long history of royal buildings and estates. Some of these were key residences for monarchs and their families, while others were later adapted for new uses. Many of these sites are now open to the public.

Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace was given to Edward II in 1305 and later used as a nursery for the children of Henry VII. 

The palace declined in the 16th century but was restored in the 1930s by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, who built an adjoining art deco mansion.

Today, Eltham Palace is open to the public.

Find out more about Eltham Palace

Greenwich Palace

Greenwich Palace was the birthplace of Henry VIII and a major royal residence during the Tudor period.

Most of the palace was demolished over time. Its foundations are now beneath the buildings of the Old Royal Naval College.

Find out more about Greenwich Palace

Montague House

Montague House stood on the edge of Greenwich Park. It was once the home of Queen Caroline, wife of King George IV. 

After she left England in 1814, the house was demolished. Only the outline of her bath remains.

Find out more about the bath remains

Queen’s House

Commissioned by Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I, Queen’s House was designed by Inigo Jones and is the first fully Classical building in England. 

It was used by the Royal Family until the 19th century and later became the Royal Naval Asylum.

The National Maritime Museum took over the site in 1934, and it is now open to the public.

Find out more about the Queen’s House

Ranger’s House

Ranger’s House is a red-brick Georgian mansion built around 1710. In 1813, it was bought by the Crown and became the residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park.

The house now contains the Wernher Collection of art and is open to the public.

Find out more about Ranger’s House

Shrewsbury House

Shrewsbury House was built on Shooters Hill in 1789 by Charles, 16th Earl of Shrewsbury.

In 1799, it was leased to the Crown for use as a residence by Princess Charlotte, the only child of George IV and Princess Caroline of Brunswick.

The original house was demolished in 1923. A replacement house was built nearby and now serves as a community centre.