Royal Observatory Greenwich's £77M Makeover: Telescopes, Galleries & Sky-High Fun!

Greenwich's Royal Observatory is undergoing a major £77 million renovation to make its historic buildings more accessible and to create new spaces for education and events. One of the most exciting changes is the construction of a lift tower for the Great Equatorial Telescope, which is currently only accessible by a narrow spiral staircase. This improvement will allow more visitors, including those with mobility challenges, to experience one of the world's largest telescopes up close.

The renovation will also add four new interactive astronomy galleries designed to help people learn more about the science of space. These galleries will feature hands-on exhibits, astronomical equipment, and photographs, making it easier for visitors to understand complex ideas about stars, planets, and the universe. In addition, a covered courtyard called Astronomers Court will be built to host live science events, and a roof terrace will be created for live streaming celestial events such as lunar eclipses and meteor showers. The Peter Harrison Planetarium will be closed during the construction period, but it will reopen with improved facilities once the work is complete.

A new entrance pavilion is being constructed to better direct visitors from Greenwich Park into the Royal Observatory, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paddy Rodgers, the director of Royal Museums Greenwich, explained that the goal of the renovation is to make the observatory's treasures more accessible and to inspire curiosity about astronomy. He shared that his own daughter became interested in science after visiting the observatory at age 13 and later earned a master's degree in physics and astrophysics. The project is being funded by the museum's reserves, government support, and external grants, including £9. 7 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Construction began last month and is expected to be finished by spring 2028, promising a new era for the observatory and its visitors.