Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian: Early Access

In 1675, King Charles II ordered the creation of Britain’s oldest scientific institution to unlock the secrets of navigation. This historic site, designed by the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren, remains the cradle of time itself. Taking advantage of privileged access before public opening, you cross the symbolic line of longitude zero, the starting point of all global geographical coordinates. An English-speaking guide retraces the arduous epic of astronomers striving to measure longitude and define Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The tour allows you to admire the majestic Octagon Hall in a serene atmosphere. This morning experience offers a rare encounter with the history of modern astronomy, avoiding the bustle of usual crowds for an intimate approach to the origins of cartography.