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his, quite literally, is where time began. In 1880 it was decided that Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) would be adopted across the UK, forming the reference point for all other time zones across the planet.

Head to the Greenwich Observatory and you can see all sorts of early scientific instruments – as well as being able to straddle the eastern and western hemispheres, by putting your feet either side of the Prime Meridian Line.

Yep, this is an actual line, which runs along the floor in the Observatory courtyard, forming the geographical benchmark by which all other countries are judged.

As if this wasn’t enough to get your head round, Greenwich is also a journey back into London’s seafaring history. Head to the Royal Maritime Museum and you’ll find interactive exhibits and fascinating relics from Britain’s most famous sailor – Lord Nelson.

And how about wandering along to Christopher Wren’s baroque masterpiece, the Old Royal Naval College – where the great Admiral lay in state after his fateful final battle.

It also has its own state of the art brewery, and every so often runs Beer Appreciation courses led by a master brewer. But if you can’t wait that long, why not head to the Grand Union pub on Royal Hill, owned by the rather apt Meantime Brewery – another local favourite.