Greenwich Maritime

The former Royal Naval College is now managed by the Greenwich Foundation. The major tenants are

• The University of Greenwich
• The Trinity School of Music

The great Wren buildings in Greenwich were promoted by Queen Mary as home for 2,000 veteran's of  the naval wars with Holland. Work began in 1698. Later the Hospital was filled with veterans of the Napoleonic sea battles. Since the nineteenth century was a period of comparative peace, the number of inmates declined and the Hospital was closed in 1865. Four years later the Royal Naval College moved from Portsmouth to Greenwich. The Royal Navy itself left Greenwich in December 1998 and responsibility for the former Royal Naval College buildings passed to the Greenwich Foundation, initially  for 150 years.  The objects of the Foundation are:

• to ensure that the buildings and surroundings contained within the site are properly cared for, and maintained to a high standard as befits their character and historical importance.
• to ensure that the use of the buildings is in keeping with and respects the nature of the site, and in particular that the maritime history of the site and connections with the Royal Navy are reflected in its future.
• to make arrangements for the public to be able to visit and enjoy the site on a regular basis, and to promote its educational value.

These objectives are significantly more enlightened than those of the Royal Navy which was very concerned about security and  lacked both the resources and the enthusiasm for conservation. One great benefit has been the opening of a public walk through the grounds of what is now a University campus.