The closure will begin in November with some parts of the site not due to reopen until Spring 2028 as part of a major refurbishment project
The Royal Greenwich Observatory is set to temporarily close all of its on-site buildings later this year as part of a £77 million capital project to improve visitor access and exhibition rooms, and create more space, with the full site set to reopen in 2028.
The project, First Light, is set to create a new contemporary entrance designed by Jamie Fobert Architects in keeping with the UNESCO World Heritage site. A new courtyard is also set to be built, providing a covered space for more live science events and a roof terrace for live streaming of celestial moments through the observatory’s telescopes.
The first phase of the project started in November 2025 with the closure of the Peter Harrison Planetarium, Modern Astronomy Galleries and the Victorian Altazimuth Pavilion, and work is expected to be completed by Spring 2026, with the site closing on November 2, 2026.
The Prime Meridian Line, Meridian Observatory and the Flamsteed House galleries remain open to visitors until late 2026. There will also be some early evening closures as a result of the new project.
The Royal Observatory is also looking to reopen the Meridian Courtyard in summer 2027 so visitors can still take the iconic photo with the Prime Meridian Line.
The museum’s other sites in Greenwich – The Cutty Sark, the Queen’s House and the National Maritime Museum will remain open while the observatory is closed.
Visitors can also see ‘Unboxing the Universe’, a multi-sensory live science show that turns big space questions into exciting moments.
