The Prime Meridian, also known as the Greenwich Meridian, runs through Greenwich, London, marking the Earth's 0° longitude line. It passes directly through the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, separating the eastern and western hemispheres, and serves as the reference point for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Greenwich meridian, an imaginary line, last established in 1851, that was used to indicate 0° longitude. It passes through Greenwich, a borough of London, and terminates at the North and South poles. Because it indicated 0° longitude, it was also known as the prime meridian.
The Greenwich meridian is a prime meridian, a geographical reference line that passes through the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in London, England. From 1884 to 1974, the Greenwich meridian was the international standard prime meridian, used worldwide for timekeeping and navigation.
Why not get into the maritime spirit and take a boat trip down the River Thames to Greenwich Pier? The pier is situated right next to Cutty Sark and is a five-minute walk from the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House and a short walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory.
Since 1884, the Prime Meridian has served as the reference point for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The line runs across the courtyard of the Royal Observatory and was adopted by international agreement to the irritation of the French who continued to use the Paris meridian. Find out more about the Prime Meridian.
Sometimes called the Greenwich Meridian or the International Meridian, Earth's prime meridian crosses the original site of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England.
What is the north south line going through Greenwich England?
What is the Prime Meridian - and why is it in Greenwich? Royal Observatory Greenwich is famous around the world as the home of the historic Prime Meridian. Just as the equator separates the northern and southern hemispheres, the Prime Meridian separates the eastern and western hemispheres.
The line that serves Greenwich – the London and Greenwich Railway as it was known when it was built in 1836 – was the first steam railway in London and the first to be built specifically for passengers.
Greenwich Royal Observatory; FREE access to the Meridian Line. Straddle the Meridian Line at the Greenwich Royal Observatory and you'll be standing with a foot in both the eastern & western hemispheres that draws thousands of tourists each year.
Prime Meridian. The prime meridian is the line of 0° longitude, the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around Earth. The prime meridian is arbitrary, meaning it could be chosen to be anywhere.
The Greenwich meridian, an imaginary line, last established in 1851, that was used to establish 0° longitude. It passes through Greenwich, a borough of London, and terminates at the North and South poles. Because it indicated 0° longitude, it was also known as the Prime Meridian.
Tube. The nearest Underground station is North Greenwich, on the Jubilee line, which is just next door to The O2 and IFS Cloud Cable Car. It takes about 12 minutes from London Bridge, or 25 minutes from Bond Street. You can of course get here from any tube station and change at appropriate stations en-route.
The term meridian comes from the Latin meridies, meaning "midday"; the subsolar point passes through a given meridian at solar noon, midway between the times of sunrise and sunset on that meridian.
Is Greenwich mean time the same as Greenwich Meridian time?
Greenwich, located in the south-east suburbs of London, was until 1946 home to the Royal Observatory of the same name. This meridian was also used to determine time-zones, and original time or GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
It is Grenviz in the Domesday Book of 1086, and Grenewych in the Taxatio Ecclesiastica of 1291. The name means 'green wic', indicating that Greenwich was what is known as a -wich town or emporium, from the Latin 'vicus'.
In Greenwich the Prime Meridian is marked by a metal line fixed into the Royal Observatory courtyard, and at night by a laser beam. Depending on the weather, the beam can be seen from more than 20 km away.
The station was designed, built and maintained by a private contractor from opening in 1999 to 2021, with the reliability of escalators at the station criticised by passengers. From June 2025, the station is temporarily closed for 10 months for all escalators in the station to be replaced.
The 3 piers along Blackpool's seafront have been jutting out into the Irish Sea since they first opened in May 1863. Originally intended to attract England's upper class to the booming seaside resort, the 3 are now much-loved icons of Blackpool's promenade, boasting a surprising array of attractions.
Yes, the Cutty Sark is generally considered worth visiting, especially for families or those interested in maritime history, offering a unique look at a historic clipper with interactive exhibits and alively atmosphere in Greenwich, though some find the entry cost high for the duration of the visit. Visitors praise its beautiful restoration, hands-on activities (like making ropes), informative guides, and the chance to walk under the ship, providing great photo ops and historical insight.
