University of Greenwich Opens its Doors to the Public
Historic buildings at the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site will be open to the public as part of Open House London on Sunday, September 17.
The University of Greenwich’s Maritime campus occupies several magnificent historic buildings on the River Thames, which the public are being given a rare chance to explore. Guided tours, led by staff students and supporters of the university, will be offered of Queen Anne Court, Queen Mary Court, King William Court and Dreadnought Library and will offer an insight into the rich history of the site.
The buildings were designed by Sir Christopher Wren and constructed between 1694 and 1814, and by the early nineteenth century the Royal Hospital for Seamen was home to over two thousand retired seamen. In 1873 the Royal Navy took over the site, training over 27,000 officers at the Royal Naval College during the Second World War.
The University of Greenwich moved onto the site in 1999 after extensive renovation. Work during the £20 million restoration project included transformation of the Grade II listed Dreadnought Seamen’s Hospital, designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart in 1764-8, into a modern library and computing centre that retains many period features.
The Open House event gives the public access to over 600 of London’s historic and modern buildings over the weekend of September 16 and 17. Entry to all buildings, and guided tours, are free.
For more information on London Open House visit: www.openhouse.org.uk
For information on the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage site visit: www.greenwichfoundation.org.uk
For more information on the University of Greenwich visit: www.greenwich.ac.uk
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
- Queen Anne Court, Queen Mary Court, King William Court and the Dreadnought Library will be open on Sunday, September 17 from 10am to 5pm.
- Other buildings on the site, including King Charles Court (home to Trinity College of Music), the Painted Hall and Chapel will be open on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday September 17, from 10am to 5pm. The grounds will also be open on both days.
Nick Davison
Public Relations Unit
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 8092
Email: n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk