The site of the Old Royal Navy College has been entwined with Royalty for centuries. Designed as a Tudor Palace in 1427, Henry VIII was born here in 1491 and during his marriages to Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, he spent most of his time here.

Elizabeth I was also born here to Anne Boleyn in 1533 and a tree in Greenwich Park is known as Queen Elizabeth's Oak, where she was reputed to play as a girl. The tree has long since died but was kept upright by an ivy until a severe storm.

Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design the present buildings in 1695 to house naval pensioners. By the early 19th century the Royal Hospital for Seamen was home to over 2,000 retired Navy personnel. In 1873 the Royal Navy took over the site, training over 27,000 officers at the Royal Naval College during the Second World War.The Royal Navy moved in 1998 and the building now runs as a historical tourist site.

Highlights of the area are the Painted Hall, decorated by Sir James Thornhill, and the Chapel.