Greenwich holiday rentals for the 2012 Games

Looking for accommodation in the heart of the action? If so, Greenwich is the place for you.

Greenwich has been a part of London since the late 19th-century, when it became part of Greater London rather than Kent.

With striking traditional architecture and stunning countryside in abundance, getting accommodation here is perfect if you want to be in the heart of the Olympic action, love rural areas, but also want to immerse yourself in city life.

Some of the most striking sights of the area include the Royal Observatory, the place where Greenwich Mean Time (or GMT) was born. Now listed as a world heritage site, the striking building overlooks the River Thames and offers a great day out.

With a bustling market in the town centre open from Tuesday to Sunday (with a different theme for the products available every day of the week), and rows of Grade 2 listed buildings to admire, Greenwich certainly is a hive of activity. It’s perfect for those who also love history, with Georgian and Victorian architecture and the National Maritime Museum all things for visitors to this quaint town to marvel.

What sporting events do you have to look forward to while staying in Greenwich?

One of the main arenas in Greenwich, aptly named Greenwich Park, will be the hub for equestrian activity in both the Olympic and Paralympic events, so horse lovers certainly won’t have a long face if they choose to stay in this London borough.

Whether you love watching the dressage events, the jumping or the eventing, you won’t be disappointed with the jam-packed schedule for up to 23,000 spectators at the Greenwich Park Arena, also home to the Modern Pentathlon.

Other hotspots for sporting activity in the area include the North Greenwich Arena. If you’re passionate about artistic gymnastics or trampolining, there will be plenty to watch here as countries from around the world go for gold. Other activities at this venue include basketball and wheelchair-based basketball, a novelty for Britons who don’t always get to see the thrills of this sport unfold.

Greenwich clearly is the place for those who love a great deal of variety when it comes to being a spectator for Olympic sports. If all of this wasn’t enough, visiting the Royal Artillery Barracks will allow you to watch archery and shooting events throughout the event.

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The things to do and places to see when you’re in Greenwich

We mentioned the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory earlier, but this isn’t all that Greenwich has to offer.

Eat and drink in Greenwich

With over 120 restaurants within a 5 km radius of Greenwich Park, it seems that a broad variety of nationalities and cultures are represented in the range of eateries available, let alone the athletes competing! One restaurant that changes with the seasons is the Rivington Grill, where sitting in the late summer’s night will make you appreciate the simple things in life. With good old British food on offer, it will make you feel more patriotic than ever before.

Shopping in Greenwich

Don’t forget the market in Greenwich town centre that runs five days a week. On Wednesdays, you will be able to snatch some excellent bargains in the world of food, allowing you to try local delicacies and purchase some pots and pans for back home. If you love rare antiques or collector’s items, Thursday through Sunday provide great opportunities to get rare finds you won’t find anywhere else, as well as celebrating a passion you have for arts and crafts. You can feed far more than your thirst for great sport in Greenwich.

Broaden your horizons: Travel to other arenas around London!

Just because you have decided to stay in Greenwich doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to the arenas in the area.

Through timely links on the DLR into Central London’s Bank station, you can get a grasp of the city life that we all like to experience. Even though there aren’t any London Underground services, receiving connections to the Tube through the National Rail services available will help.

Indeed, if you are feeling particularly adventurous, there are even boat services that will allow you to visit Westminster and other landmarks such as the O2 Arena and the Arsenal Pier – allowing you to sightsee and to see some of the biggest stars perform at the venue formerly known as the Millennium Dome. The transport links help to get anywhere in London for the 2012 Olympics events.

Fancy staying in London for the Summer Games? If so, Greenwich should be at the very top of any tourist’s shortlist.