Your 2026 agenda at the Old Royal Naval College

Our anniversary year begins with a last chance to experience Connection and Identity in the Painted Hall. Running until Sunday 25 January, Peter Walker’s unique artworks ask us to explore what it means to be human and contemplate what unites us in a thought-provoking dialogue between past and present.  

The Painted Hall will also once again play host to the romantics amongst you, with our Valentine’s Day luxury fine dining experience; while new for this year is a Tea Ceremony, designed to guide you on a tea-tasting journey.  

Also returning to the Painted Hall are our ever-popular wellness offerings: Feel Good Fridays and Lie Down and Listen, offering the chance to rest, reflect and rejuvenate under our celestial ceiling through yoga and sound healing. While our new partnership with London’s the House of Wellbeing brings new wellbeing activities, which will culminate in an all-new full-day Wellbeing Retreat in September 2026.   

Autumn will see Peter Walker return to the Painted Hall, with his breathtaking installation Peace Doves. Alongside this, Walker will also return with a new Luxmuralis light installation in November, marking the start of the winter season. 

As the UK’s number one heritage filming location, we will continue to champion film and TV culture following our celebration of 100 Years of Film.  

New for this year are a series of film masterclasses – designed and delivered in partnership with the University of Greenwich, these masterclasses will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from leading experts who have helped bring the likes of Bridgerton to our screens. While our Film Tours: Wigs, Weddings, Powder and Palaces and Spies, Sleuths and Superheroes, both offer behind-the-scenes access to iconic shoot locations and cinematic secrets.  

Tudor Takeover to Golden Age of Piracy – enjoy immersive experiences across our historic site this year 

April invites you to step back in time with our new Tudor Takeover weekend, designed to bring the grandeur of Greenwich Palace and the drama of Tudor life to vivid reality – think immersive historical re-enactment, period dance, music, and much more. While May sees pirates take over the grounds once again with Golden Age of Piracy, featuring canon displays and sword demonstrations, the site’s maritime roots will be showcased in full swing.  

As well as looking back and bringing history into the present day, music and family activities – from concerts and Silent Disco lates in the Painted Hall to live performances and recitals in the Chapel – will run throughout the year. While a new series of Arts & Crafts workshops, provide the perfect opportunity to delve into the joys of creating and learn new skills, commencing with a Galentines celebratory craft working in Admiral’s House.  

Summer also promises to be an unmissable programme of activity for all the family. Now in its fourth year, the return of the Greenwich Dog Show invites pups, pooches and their owners to put their best paw forwards this May.  

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Old Royal Naval College in 2026, as we celebrate 300 years of the Painted Hall.