New Festival, Installations & 100 Years of Filming at Old Royal Naval College, London

In 2025, the Old Royal Naval College reaffirms its place as a cultural hub, offering a vibrant  programme of events that blend history, culture and wellbeing. From awe-inspiring installations  and heritage tours to dynamic festivals, family days out and activities that stimulate wellness, the  UNESCO World Heritage Site continues its mission to provide enriching cultural experiences for all. 

To kick off the year, visitors to the magnificent Painted Hall will have a final chance to bask in the  beauty of Luke Jerram’s Mars installation, before it closes on 20th January. To mark its departure  and combat January’s Blue Monday with the perfect night out for Dry January, the Old Royal Naval  College will hostEyes on Mars: A Cultural and Scientific Exploration Talk, where Imperial College’s  Professor Gupta will delve into the Mars Rover mission, complemented by opportunities to observe  Mars through telescopes on a dry January evening. For those seeking mindfulness, the Old Royal  Naval College’s ever-popular wellbeing programme offers a serene Mars Flow Yoga and Brunch  session under the planetary installation.  

This dedication to wellbeing continues throughout the year, with regular initiatives designed to  uplift and inspire. Feel Good Fridays held on the last Friday of every month provide a dose of joy  and relaxation. Meanwhile, in its commitment to opening access to wider audiences and offering free entry for children every day, First Sundays invite visitors to engage with the site’s rich history  for a £5 admissions entry.  

Foodies will also be able to savour a sustainable dining experience on 25th January in the Painted  Hall with celebrated chef Douglas McMaster, world-renowned for his pioneering zero-waste  restaurant, Silo. 

In addition to the site’s cultural programme, the Old Royal Naval College, the UK’s number 1  heritage film location, celebrates 100 years of filming in 2025. The 1925 silent film, Sons of the Sea  by H. Bruce Woolfe about two boys in the Royal Navy was the first production on site.  

From spring 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to book onto new film tours.Wigs, Weddings,  Palaces and Powderwill showcase the many period dramas filmed in Greenwich including  Bridgerton and The Crown.Spies, Supersleuths and Superheroes, launching later in the year will look  at thrilling action TV & movies shot on location. These new tours for cinema and TV fans will  complement the Old Royal Naval College’s extensive historic offering including their 600 Years of  History Tour. Visitors can also try their hand at Victorian extra curricular in the charming Victorian  Skittle Alley, a hidden gem beneath the Painted Hall offering traditional bowling.  

The summer season brims with life at the Old Royal Naval College, welcoming back some of its most  popular activities and presenting new and unmissable events. Back by popular demand, the best of  London’s furry friends will return for the beloved Dog Show on 25th May and nautical history takescentre stage during the Golden Age of Piracy weekend, with sword demonstrations, 18th century  music, food, and a thrilling firepower display. The Three-Inch Fools and Summer Court Theatre will  also offer captivating productions for the whole family. 

Adding to 2025’s year of unmissable culture, the Old Royal Naval College will also present the  London premiere for a major new installation from Luke Jerram to be announced on 10 January  2025. This dramatic artwork, set against the backdrop of the majestic Painted Hall, will be  accompanied by a thrilling programme of events. 

Artist Luke Jerram comments,It is a great pleasure to be working with the Old Royal Naval College  again to host the London premiere of my brand new artwork. The Painted Hall is a wonderful space,  showcasing art beautifully. I know visitors will be awe inspired and leave with incredible memories.

Adding to London’s vibrant music scene, a new music festival presented by Labyrinth Festivals will  be hosted on the iconic riverside grounds in August. With the line-up soon to be announced, this  unmissable celebration of sound will span two weekends, providing a festival experience that  blends cutting-edge music with the timeless beauty of London’s riverside – a perfect summer  highlight for music lovers everywhere. 

The Old Royal Naval College will also once again open its spaces to the London Design Festival, the  capital’s largest festival of art and design, before sculptor and artist Peter Walker presents his  thought-provoking installationsConnection and Identityin 2025. Featuring interactive suspended  light columns and a striking pair of two-metre sculptures of female hands, this piece will invite  audiences to connect with what makes us human.  

Kate Miners, Director of Public Engagement and Commercial, comments,With a steadfast  commitment to offering cultural and wellbeing-focused programmes all year round, the Old Royal  Naval College remains a must-visit destination for those seeking inspiration, entertainment, and a  sense of connection. With offerings for families, film enthusiasts, yogis and history lovers, there’s  something to delight every visitor. In 2025, the Old Royal Naval College reaffirms its place as a  cultural hub, offering a vibrant programme of events that blend history, culture, and wellbeing.  From inspiring installations and heritage tours that stimulate wellness to dynamic festivals and  family days out, the UNESCO World Heritage Site continues its mission to provide enriching cultural experiences for all. 

Featured Image: Mars in the Painted Hall - Annabel Moeller