let's get astrophysical

No trip to London would be complete without visiting Greenwich — an area so steeped in history it’s been declared a World Heritage Site.At the heart of Greenwich sits the National Maritime Museum (NMM) — deceptively named, as it actually encompasses three different attractions, not all of which relate to the country’s nautical heritage.The NMM’s big hitter is undoubtedly the Royal Observatory, housing the capital’s only planetarium. Here you can experience interactive exhibitions and wander around the apartments where the Astronomer Royal — the Monarch’s adviser on celestial and scientific matters — once lived and worked.A planetarium show is a must for both children and adults. Visitors lay back in reclining seats as the universe is projected onto the domed ceiling and an expert narrates. One of the most popular shows, Sky Tonight Live, tells the audience which stars and constellations they’ll be able to see in London that evening.Elsewhere, the Maritime Galleries have a selection of permanent and changing exhibitions, such as a display about Admiral Nelson, which includes the jacket he died in at the Battle of Trafalgar.The 17th-century Queen’s House, originally home to the wife of King Charles I, now houses a collection of fine art, a great deal of it related to the area’s rich maritime history.The majority of the NMM is free to visit, although certain exhibitions and Planetarium shows charge for entry. www.nmm.ac.uk