Painted Hall

The Painted Hall is a Baroque building within the Old Royal Naval College, featuring elaborate ceiling and wall paintings depicting classical figures and maritime scenes. The interior is covered with painted frescoes that dominate the entire visual space.

Sir Christopher Wren designed this dining hall in 1696 as part of a facility for retired naval officers. The painted decorations developed over many years under Sir James Thornhill, who dedicated much of his career to completing this work.

The painted scenes blend classical mythology with British naval history, reflecting how the Georgian period valued both ancient learning and maritime power. Walking through, you can sense the message these images were meant to convey about England's position at sea.

The building can be accessed from different levels throughout the complex, with pathways allowing visitors to explore the entire area. Plan to spend adequate time here, as there is much to see and the scale of the space rewards taking your time.

The artist Thornhill spent extended periods working flat on his back to paint the ceiling, highlighting the physical demand of creating such large-scale artwork. These details about the work's creation reveal the considerable challenge involved in producing paintings of this magnitude.

Location: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Part of: Old Royal Naval College

Address: College Way, London SE10 9NN

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Phone: 02082694799

Website: https://ornc.org/explore-whats-here/painted-hall

GPS coordinates: 51.48288,-0.00607

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:02