London’s planetarium is closed, and the building around it closes on 2 November 2026. The Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory shut for renovation in September 2025, and the museum’s own page now says the whole Royal Observatory closes for a refurbishment project on 2 November 2026, with no reopening date published.
So if you have been meaning to go up the hill in Greenwich, you have until 1 November. We checked the museum’s pages on 12 October 2026.
There is still a planetarium, in a different building
Royal Museums Greenwich has put a new planetarium experience into the National Maritime Museum, at the bottom of the hill, as part of its Astronomers Take Over programme. That is the working answer to where you can see a planetarium show in London while the Observatory is shut.
The National Maritime Museum is free to enter, which the Observatory is not, so the substitute is also the cheaper option.
What is closing, and when
The Observatory is open 10am to 5pm daily with last entry at 4pm, until 2 November. The planetarium itself has been closed since September 2025, so a visit now gets you the Meridian Line, the historic buildings and the view, but no show.
Trade and local coverage reports a full reopening expected in 2028, with the Meridian Courtyard returning first in summer 2027 and tickets for it going on sale in January 2027. Those dates are reported rather than published by the museum, which gives no reopening date at all on its own pages, so treat 2028 as an expectation and not a commitment.
The age rule, for when it returns
Planetarium shows at the Observatory did not admit under-5s, and all children under 14 had to be accompanied by an adult. Ted’s Space Adventure was the exception, a live show aimed at children aged seven and under. Expect something similar when the new planetarium opens, and check before booking for a young child.
Peter Harrison Planetarium Closed
- Address
- Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ
- Nearest
- Cutty Sark or Greenwich, then a walk up the hill
- Hours
- The planetarium has been closed since September 2025. The Royal Observatory around it is open 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm until it closes for refurbishment on 2 November 2026
- Booking
- Not applicable while closed. The museum publishes no reopening date, although coverage reports 2028, with the Meridian Courtyard returning in summer 2027 and tickets on sale from January 2027
- Price
- No planetarium shows are running. The National Maritime Museum, which now holds a planetarium experience, is free to enter
- Standing
- The planetarium at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, closed for renovation, with a replacement experience running at the National Maritime Museum
How to get in
Closed. The Royal Observatory itself closes on 2 November 2026 with no published reopening date. Planetarium shows previously did not admit under-5s, and under-14s had to be accompanied
Where to go next
Greenwich Park surrounds the Observatory, and the Cutty Sark is at the bottom of the hill.
Free museums covers the National Maritime Museum and the rest.
Questions we get asked
Is the Peter Harrison Planetarium open?
No. It closed for renovation in September 2025, and the Royal Observatory around it closes for a refurbishment project on 2 November 2026.
Is there a planetarium in London?
Yes, a new planetarium experience at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, part of its Astronomers Take Over programme, which replaced the closed Peter Harrison Planetarium. The National Maritime Museum is free to enter.
When does the Royal Observatory reopen?
The museum publishes no reopening date. Trade and local coverage reports a full reopening expected in 2028, with the Meridian Courtyard returning in summer 2027 and tickets going on sale in January 2027, but those dates are reported rather than confirmed by the museum.
Can you still visit the Royal Observatory?
Until 1 November 2026. It is open 10am to 5pm daily with last entry at 4pm, and closes for refurbishment on 2 November. The planetarium inside has already been closed since September 2025.
What age were planetarium shows suitable for?
Under-5s were not admitted to the main shows, and all children under 14 had to be accompanied by an adult. Ted's Space Adventure was a live show for children aged seven and under.
Written by Robert J Wills, no. 459 in the guide.
Last checked 12 October 2026 against the venues' own published information. Nobody pays to appear here and we take no bookings.
