Royal Observatory Greenwich to Close for £77 Million Transformation

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, home of the Prime Meridian, will close from Monday 2 November for a £77 million transformation called 'The First Light,' timed to mark the Observatory's 350th anniversary. The Peter Harrison Planetarium had already closed in September 2026, but the Prime Meridian line, Meridian Observatory, and Flamsteed House galleries remained open until 2 November, making the days before that date the last chance to visit. The Observatory is expected to reopen in summer 2027.

The project will address the site's longstanding navigation challenges — a complex of historic buildings grown over more than three centuries, full of narrow routes and steep gradients. Work will introduce a new elevated walkway linking the north and south sections of the site, fully step-free landscaped paths, and a new access tower with a lift, allowing visitors to reach the Great Equatorial Telescope for the first time. An expanded heritage exhibition space and a more prominent entrance pavilion, designed by Jamie Fobert Architects, are also planned.

"The Royal Observatory has long been a place of curiosity, meticulous observation and creative thinking. This encapsulates the spirit of the project," said Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of Royal Museums Greenwich. While the Observatory is closed, nearby Royal Museums Greenwich sites — the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, and Queen's House — will all remain open as usual.