Greenwich Observatory - London
http://www.rog.nmm.ac.uk
Duration: ~ 5 hours
The Royal Observatory (founded in 1675) was originally built to provide accurate star charts for navigational purposes. John Flamsteed (the first Astronomer Royal) lived there, and one can view his apartments, which have been restored to their original condition. We will also see the Transit Circle of a later Astronomer Royal, George Airy, as well as numerous other telescopes, including - a 28 inch (700mm) refractor; built in 1893, it is the largest refractor in Britain and still in working order.
Time is a recurrent theme at Greenwich, and we will see all four of John Harrison's famous clocks, which finally solved the problem of keeping track of time (and therefore position) at sea. We will have a guided tour and will be free to roam around the site, which also houses the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House, designed by Inigo Jones in 1616 for Anne of Denmark, wife of James 1st.
We will travel to Greenwich on the Docklands Light Railway, which, being elevated, gives good views of the redeveloped Docklands area of London. On the way back to the station, there will be time to have a look at the Cutty Sark, built in 1869, the last remaining Tea Clipper in the world. (It costs £3.90 if you want to go inside).