This is Greenwich’s famous Painted Hall, and at the moment it’s also home to a light display by the artist Peter Walker.
It’s surprisingly calming, helped along by soft ambient music that fills the space. Tall pillars of coloured light rise and fade, creating a gentle effect that you can simply settle into and enjoy. There’s something of the “sensory room” about it — soothing visuals scaled up to cathedral-like proportions.
The artist does provide an explanation, but after reading it, I would say it’s best to ignore it and just enjoy the spectacle, as it is really quite delightful to watch. There is a repeating sequence that seems to last around 7 minutes before looping around again, and with plenty of benches around the hall, you can sit back and enjoy the music-light display.
@ianvisits Peter Walker’s Connection and Identity in Greenwich’s Painted Hall. #greenwich ♬ original sound ianVisits
There are also two hands at the far end, giant female casts that challenge the two male hands in Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel painting.
As concepts, the two artworks don’t really connect, but are also in two separate parts of the hall ,so they don’t interfere with each other. That said, the brightly lit hands do look good, from the other end of the hall.
The display will be lighting up the Painted Hall until Sunday 25th Jan 2026, and is included in the normal entry price.
Adults: £17.50
Students: £8.75
Armed Forces serving personnel and veterans: £8.75
National Art Pass Holder: £8.25
Universal Credit Day Ticket: £2
Children age 16 and under (up to 4 children with a paying adult): Free
Royal Navy serving personnel and veterans: Free
Personal Assistant/Carers accompanying a person with a disability: Free
There is also a £5 entry to the Painted Hall on the first Sunday of the month when booked in advance.
