Refurbished observatory opens

After £16m and five years of extensive redevelopment, the Greenwich Royal Observatory will finally open its doors to the public tomorrow.

Design group Thomas Matthews has been leading the redevelopment. It has worked on the refurbishment of the Space Galleries and the creation of an exhibition for the past two years. Its work has extended to graphics and signage for the attraction.

The 45-tonne, bronze-clad Peter Harrison Planetarium is set to steal the show, with 120 seats, housing one of the most advanced digital laser projectors in the world.

Alongside the bronze cone will be the new Astronomy Galleries and Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Learning Centre, partly funded by a £6.78m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The new Royal Observatory is part of the National Maritime Museum and was originally designed in 1675 by Sir Christopher Wren.