Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

70  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

London: Farther Afield of nautical objects, including a
number of figureheads.
Over the centuries, London has steadily expanded to embrace
the scores of villages that once surrounded it. Although now E Royal Observatory Greenwich
linked in an almost unbroken urban sprawl, many of these Blackheath Ave. Tel 020-8858 4422.
Open daily. Closed Dec 24–26. 7 =
areas have managed to retain a strong individual character. ∑ rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
Portobello Road has hosted a market since 1837, while Notting E Queen’s House and National
Hill, once farmland, is now covered with townhouses. Greenwich Maritime Museum
and Richmond recall the days when the Thames was an Romney Rd SE10. Tel 020-8312 6608.
important artery for transport and commerce. The riverside Open daily. Closed Dec 24–26. 7
around Richmond and Kew, to the southwest of London, was limited. & ∑ nmm.ac.uk
a favorite site for the great country retreats of the aristocracy.
Perhaps the grandest riverside residence of all is the royal
palace of Hampton Court, set in elaborate, luxuriant gardens.
The exquisite Queen’s House
has been restored to its late
17th-century glory. Highlights
are the unusually shaped main
hall and the intriguing spiral
“tulip staircase.”
The adjoining National
Maritime Museum has exhi bits
ranging from primitive canoes
through Elizabethan galleons
to modern ships. Nearby,
the Old Royal Naval College
View of the 17th-century Queen’s House was designed in two halves A colorful antique shop on London’s
at Greenwich so the Queen’s House could Portobello Road
f Greenwich retain its river view. The g Notting Hill and
chapel and the Painted Hall
SE10. £ Greenwich, Maze Hill, & are open to the public. Portobello Road
Docklands Light Railway to Cutty Sark, The Cutty Sark is the last
Greenwich. 4 from Westminster. surviving 19th-century clipper W11. 1 Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke
ship. It is possible to walk the Grove. ( Fri & Sat.
Best known as the place from decks and explore the hold,
which the world’s time is which houses several collections Notting Hill and Portobello
measured, Greenwich also Road have been a focus for the
marks the historic eastern Caribbean community since
approach to London by land the peak years of immigration
and water. The area is steeped in the 1950s and 1960s. Today,
in maritime and royal history. this is a trendy residential
The meridian line that divides district, whose vibrant
the earth’s eastern and western cosmopolitan spirit is captured
hemispheres passes through the in the 1999 film starring Julia
Royal Observatory Greenwich Roberts and Hugh Grant.
(now housing a museum). The West Indian flavor is best
Designed by Christopher Wren, experienced during Europe’s
the building is topped by a ball largest street carnival. First held
on a rod, dropped at 1pm every in 1966, it takes over the entire
day since 1833 so that ships’ area on the August bank holiday
chronometers could be set by it. weekend. On the Sunday and
The Observatory also boasts the Monday, costumed parades
Peter Harrison Planetarium, the flood the crowded streets.
only one of its kind in London. Portobello Road market has
Because of its links with time, a bustling atmosphere with
Greenwich was chosen as the hundreds of stands and shops
site for Britain’s year 2000 selling a variety of collectables.
exhibition. Formerly the The southern end consists
Millennium Dome, the O2 almost exclusively of stands
Arena is now used as an A rare 24-hour clock at the Old Royal selling antiques, jewelry, and
entertainment complex. Observatory, Greenwich souvenirs popular with tourists.
For hotels and restaurants see pp104–6 and pp107–9

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