Looking for family things to do in Greenwich without turning every day out into an expensive one? This guide brings together free and low-cost ideas across Greenwich, Blackheath, North Greenwich, Woolwich and the wider Royal Borough, alongside Clarissa’s Corner’s local reviews and attraction guides.
Latest Update
12 September 2026: Added the free National Maritime Museum October half-term programme, updated the museum’s practical accessibility and sensory information, and linked the current Royal Museums Greenwich family planning details.
Free Things to Do in Greenwich This Weekend
Brassworks Festival and Parade — Woolwich
Saturday 5 September, 12 noon–6pm. Royal Greenwich Festivals and Woolwich Works bring Brassworks to Woolwich town centre and Woolwich Works, SE18 6HD, with a free festival and parade.
Creative Roots — Thamesmead
Saturday 5 September, 12 noon–5pm. Our Heritage UK’s Creative Roots community arts and culture festival showcase takes place at Birchmere Community Hub, SE28 8AP. Entry is free.
PARKSFest — East Greenwich Pleasaunce
Sunday 6 September, 12 noon–6pm. The East Greenwich Pleasaunce Summer Community Extravaganza is part of PARKSFest and is free to attend at East Greenwich Pleasaunce, SE10 0HB.
GDIF Finale — (In)visible Dancing
Sunday 6 September, 3pm. Luca Silvestrini’s Protein Dance presents (In)visible Dancing in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, SE18 6AB. The performance is free.
Coldharbour Community Hub Consultation
Royal Greenwich is investing £1.5 million in a new community hub for Coldharbour and is asking local residents to help shape where it should be, what services it should offer and what facilities the community needs.
The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 6 September 2026, so Coldharbour residents who want to take part should respond before the deadline.
Free Family Days Out in Greenwich
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is free to enter and is one of the easiest Greenwich options for a family day that also works when the weather turns. Its permanent galleries are free, while some exhibitions and events may cost extra.
Families can also ask about self-guided trails and sensory resources. The museum’s Sensory Explorers backpack has been developed with local families and is designed to support different ways of exploring the galleries.
Queen’s House
Queen’s House is also free to enter, giving families another indoor option close to the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Park. It can work particularly well as part of a mix-and-match day rather than trying to cram every Greenwich attraction into one visit.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park gives you plenty of space for a slower day out, with views across London, gardens and family-friendly outdoor areas. It is also useful for breaking up a museum-heavy day if children need time outside.
Greenwich and Thames Riverside Walks
A wander around Greenwich town centre, the riverside and the Thames Path can be an outing in itself. It is an easy way to combine local history, river views and a browse around Greenwich without needing to book a major attraction.
More Family-Friendly Greenwich Ideas
Greenwich has plenty of paid attractions too, including Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, Up at The O2 and other experiences around Greenwich Peninsula. Rather than listing prices here that can quickly date, I keep individual attraction guides updated separately.
For rooftop-climb planning, see my Up at The O2 London guide.
Accessibility & SEN-Aware Planning
I want the Greenwich section of Clarissa’s Corner to be useful for families who need more than a basic address and ticket link. Where information is available, individual guides will include access details, sensory considerations, transport, toilets, seating and practical planning notes.
Royal Museums Greenwich currently confirms accessible lifts to every floor, five pre-bookable accessible parking bays, a limited number of wheelchairs that can be pre-booked free, and free admission for carers accompanying disabled visitors.
For sensory planning, ear defenders are available on request and a limited number of sensory backpacks can be borrowed from the ticket desks. A free sensory map identifies brighter/darker spaces, louder/quieter areas and tactile points. All audiovisual displays are captioned, and a free BSL Museum tour is available on the Smartify app alongside scheduled in-person BSL tours.
The Museum also has accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet in the Sammy Ofer Wing, and free buggy parking on Level 0. Read the official accessibility guide before travelling →
October Half-Term 2026 — Free National Maritime Museum Activities
24 October–1 November 2026 · Free · Drop-in
The National Maritime Museum’s October half-term programme mixes myths and legends with bugs and creepy-crawlies, including free craft workshops and storytelling. Royal Museums Greenwich says the activities are free and drop-in with no need to book the activities in advance.
See the full half-term programme →
Seasonal Family Events
Greenwich changes throughout the year, from school-holiday activities and outdoor events to Halloween, Christmas, theatre and light installations. Rather than leaving expired dates in this guide, seasonal events will be added through current posts and linked from the main Greenwich hub.
Explore More of Greenwich
This is a supporting guide to the main Greenwich Days Out, Events & Local Guide, where you’ll find links to theatre, culture, attractions, seasonal events and Clarissa’s Corner’s Greenwich archive.
Practical Information
- Check individual attraction opening times before travelling.
- Free entry does not always include temporary exhibitions or special events.
- Greenwich has National Rail, DLR, bus and river connections, while North Greenwich is served by the Jubilee line.
- Build in time between attractions rather than trying to do the entire area in one day.
FAQ
Is the National Maritime Museum free?
Yes. General entry is free, although some exhibitions and events may have an additional charge.
Is Queen’s House free?
Yes. General entry is free. Booking is recommended by Royal Museums Greenwich.
Are there things to do in Greenwich with children?
Yes. Greenwich combines museums, parks, riverside walks, family activities, theatre and larger attractions around The O2 and Greenwich Peninsula.
