The Royal Observatory Greenwich Camera Obscura

The Royal Observatory Greenwich camera obscura is housed in a small summerhouse in the Meridian Courtyard. There have been a number of camera obscuras at Greenwich, dating from the late 17th century till the mid-19th century. The current one was installed in 1994 and shows a close up, panorama of Greenwich and the Thames, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Naval College.

Status

Open

Style

Fixed

Region

England

Maker

Peter Drew

City

London

Address

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF

Opening Times

Closed for 2 years from November 2026

Admissions

Admission charges apply

The Royal Observatory Greenwich camera obscura is housed in a small summerhouse in the Meridian Courtyard.

There have been a number of camera obscuras at Greenwich, dating from the late 17th century till the mid-19th century. The current one was installed in 1994 and shows a close up, panorama of Greenwich and the Thames, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Naval College.

I remember visiting the camera obscura many years ago before the building suffered some storm damage.  Unfortunately I didn't manage to visit in summer of 2026, I visited on November - the day before the Royal Greenwich Observatory closed for two years of renovation.   The weather as expected wasn't great.  However, Simon very kindly opened to the Camera Obscura for us to take a look.  

I'm looking forward to visiting again on a sunny day after it reopens in two years time!

Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026
Obscura Legacies visit Royal Observatory Greenwich, 1 November 2026