Blockbuster Film Tour at the Old Royal Naval College (including the Painted Hall)

Overview

Blockbuster Film Tour

Step into the mesmerising world of Hollywood magic in this fascinating tour of what’s been called “the most popular filming location in the world.” (Empire magazine).

You'll embark on a captivating journey through almost 100 years of filming, including some of the most unforgettable cinematic moments shot on our picturesque riverside grounds and inside the awe-inspiring Painted Hall. Our knowledgeable guides will reveal the tricks of the trade and share intriguing behind-the-scenes tales that will leave you amazed.

Find out why location managers have chosen the Old Royal Naval College as the setting for some of the most memorable scenes in major film and TV productions, including The Crown, Les Misérables, Napolean, Bridgerton and many more. 

During the tour, you’ll discover many remarkable highlights, such as:

• The exact spot where Buckingham Palace was recreated for The Crown (2016 – present).
• The setting for revolutionary Paris in Les Misérables (2012).
• Old Royal Naval College’s heroic role as a crashed spacecraft battleground in Thor: The Dark World (2013).
• The romantic waltz of a handsome couple in the iconic scene from Indiscreet, filmed in a replica Painted Hall in 1958.
• The outstanding performances of Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (2011) and Emma Stone as Cruella in Disney’s 2021 delve into the villainess’ backstory.
• The very location in the Painted Hall where Nigel Hawthorne became King George in The Madness of King George (1994), watched over by his forebear George I, depicted in the famous painting.
• The exact spot where Rowan Atkinson delivered the classic line, “Repeat after me, I do take thee, Lydia Jane Hibbott, to be my awful wedded wife,” in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994).

Old Royal Naval College

Take time to explore the peaceful riverside location and Sir Christopher Wren’s iconic architecture. The stunning buildings and extensive grounds tell 500 years of remarkable history that lists an incredible cast of monarchs and famous British figures, from Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson.

Visit ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’, Sir James Thornhill’s breath-taking Baroque Painted Hall and its neighbour, the glorious Chapel of St Peter and Paul. Escape the crowds and discover 40,000 square feet of awe-inspiring painted walls and ceiling.

See the reopened Nelson Room

The unique architecture of the Nelson Room has been carefully conserved, including its imposing roof lantern, monumental stonework, and Swedish marble flooring – the marble flagstones were selected by Sir Christopher Wren himself. A ‘Pepper’s Ghost’ display illuminates Nelson’s lying-in-state, while a bronze sculpture called Breaking the Line, by Antony Dufort pays tribute to the many sailors who fought at Trafalgar and later became ‘Greenwich Pensioners’ at the Royal Hospital for Seamen.


Tour Times
Thursdays and Sundays at 12.30pm and 2.30pm

Old Royal Naval College opening hours
The Painted Hall, Chapel and Visitor Centre are open daily, 10am–5pm.
The grounds are open daily 8am–11pm.

All opening times are subject to change. Please check before visiting.