By The Royal Observatory at Greenwich is undergoing a major transformation, which they have named ‘The First Light’ project.
First Light will see the Observatory’s interior and external spaces transformed through displays and interactives, alongside architecture, conservation and landscaping.
The new galleries will showcase observatory’s impact on our everyday lives and highlight the wider scientific developments that have occurred over the observatory’s 350-year history. Objects, as well as tactile elements and evocative projections, will chart the evolution of astronomy as a discipline – and help to explain complex scientific concepts.
You can see details of the transformation here.
All of this construction work will take some time to complete. It began in autumn 2025 and won’t be fully finished until spring 2028.
It will mean the phased closure of parts of the site, starting with the south side of the site. The rest of the Royal Observatory, including the world-famous Prime Meridian line, historic Flamsteed House and Luke Jerram’s new artwork Mirror Moon, is open until 2 November 2026. It will then close until the summer 2027 when the revamped Meridian Courtyard should be ready to reopen.
You can check short and long-term closures in the near future here.
