The Old Royal Naval College Summer 2026

From family activities beneath the Painted Hall's celebrated ceiling to outdoor theatre, live music, poetry and pirates, summer at the Old Royal Naval College offers an exceptional season of events. With immersive heritage experiences, cultural exploration and wellbeing at the core of its programme, the UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to be one London’s premiere destinations.

• Monthly Family Fun Days offer tailored activities to pique the historical curiosity of younger audiences with the chance to dress up, draw and learn about the rich stories of the past, all while celebrating Sir James Thornhill’s masterpiece. This Father's Day (21st June), families are invited to explore this history through the lens of film and TV on the Spies, Sleuths and Superheroes film tour.
• The Fish Fry Poetry Event (26th June) brings renowned poets, performers, writers and facilitators into the multimedia space to explore the Caribbean histories during the Second World War.
• Pirates Takeover (4th July - 5th July) will transform the Old Royal Naval College into a swashbuckling adventure for all the family. With 18th century ballads, sword fighting performances, lessons in flags and real historical weaponry, and live firepower demonstrations from the pirate and marine reenactment actors.
• Murder Mystery (10th July), for those with a penchant for Agatha Christie or Sherlock, there is an intriguing evening of Murder Mystery held in Admiral’s House, an historic space not usually open to the public. 
• Greenwich Comedy Garden (15th – 19th July) fills the site with live stand-up performances from the best in the business.
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream (27th August) Four Forty Theatre stages an outdoor rendition in the Queen Mary Courtyard. 
• Labyrinth on the Thames (31st July – 16th August) brings three weekends of live music, blending heritage with cutting-edge live acts, including Moby, Overmono and Peggy Gou, while also welcoming back local group The Kooks. 
• Silent Disco (20th June and 25th September), an this unmissable music experience and a highlight of the programme. 

Celebrated as the UK’s most filmed heritage location, the Old Royal Naval College’s acclaimed film tours guide guests through iconic backdrops from blockbuster movies and quintessential period dramas, including Bridgerton, Les Misérables, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Crown and many more. Admirers of the site’s period architecture can also learn more with the Secret Dome Tours, venturing high up to Sir Christopher Wren’s impressive domes to enjoy panoramic views of London’s cityscape. 

However it’s not all about sword fights and murder mysteries, the Old Royal Naval College continues a relaxing summer of wellbeing, inviting visitors to experience the healing benefits of art through a series of wellness sessions in the Painted Hall. A brand new one day wellness retreat arrives this September in collaboration with the London House of Wellbeing, offering an immersive experience of rest and mindfulness. 

Whether stepping into the world of pirates, solving a murder mystery, enjoying open-air Shakespeare, the summer programme brings together the site's rich heritage with contemporary cultural experiences.

Where: Old Royal Naval College, London, SE10 9NN

Further Information: Old Royal Naval College

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