The O2: A Local Guide to North Greenwich
The O2 is more than a concert venue. Here is how to make the most of a visit to North Greenwich, from roof climbs and riverside walks to food, public art, green space and practical transport tips.
The O2 has become one of the defining landmarks of the Greenwich Peninsula: an enormous, unmistakable roofline beside the Thames, a busy destination for live entertainment and one of the easiest places in south-east London to turn a single booking into a full day out.
For concert-goers, the main attraction may be the arena. But North Greenwich rewards anyone willing to arrive early or stay afterwards. Around the O2 are riverside paths, public art, modern parks, restaurants, pubs, family-friendly spaces and a striking change of atmosphere as the Peninsula opens out towards the river. The result is a destination that works just as well for an afternoon wander as it does for a big night out.
With a particularly atmospheric autumn ahead, including the Halloween Silent Disco Climb on Saturday 31 October 2026, this is a useful moment to look beyond the headline venue and explore the wider neighbourhood.
Arrive early and see North Greenwich properly
The most straightforward way to reach the O2 is by London Underground. North Greenwich station is on the Jubilee line, placing the venue within easy reach of central London and the rest of the capital. The station is also the natural starting point for exploring the surrounding Peninsula, although the distance between individual attractions can feel greater than it first appears. Comfortable shoes are worthwhile, particularly if you plan to combine an event with a riverside walk.
The O2 sits within a rapidly changing part of Greenwich Peninsula, where new residential neighbourhoods, public spaces and cultural venues continue to develop alongside the established entertainment complex. The contrast is part of the appeal: one moment you are among crowds heading towards a show, and the next you can be walking beside the Thames or through a quieter landscaped space.
If you are meeting friends, allow extra time at busy periods. Concert nights, seasonal events and weekends can make the area lively well before doors open. Arriving early gives you more choice for food, makes the journey less rushed and leaves time to explore without turning the evening into a race from the station to your seats.
Make the O2 the centrepiece, not the whole itinerary
The O2 is best approached as the centre of a North Greenwich itinerary. Depending on your plans, you can begin with a walk, stop for food, visit a local pub, take in the riverside landscape and then head inside for entertainment. This works particularly well for visitors who have travelled across London for a concert or special event and want more from the journey than a few hours indoors.
The surrounding Greenwich Peninsula is modern in character, but it is not short on atmosphere. The river remains the dominant presence, while the wider setting mixes public art, new architecture, landscaped routes and traces of the area’s industrial past. The Tide provides one of the most distinctive ways to experience this transformation: an elevated riverside linear park with a route of around 5km, public art commissions, Thames views and spaces intended for walking, running and reflection.
The Tide can be reached from Peninsula Square or Tide Square, with both steps and lift access provided. It is free to explore and designed for pedestrians, mobility scooters and prams. Its elevated sections make it feel different from a conventional pavement walk, while the route’s changing views provide a useful pause before or after the bustle of the O2.
Where to eat and drink before or after a show
There is no shortage of places to eat around the Peninsula, but a little planning is sensible on major event nights. Tables can fill quickly, and the most convenient venues may become busy at exactly the time you need them. Booking ahead is worthwhile if you are working to a concert start time.
The Observatory is the obvious in-complex option for a traditional pub stop. Located within The O2 on Entertainment Avenue, it offers classic British pub food, real ales and premium gins in surroundings that nod to Greenwich’s astronomical heritage. It is useful for a casual meal, a pre-show drink or a meeting point when not everyone in the group wants a full restaurant experience.
A short distance away, The Pilot on River Way offers another practical choice, particularly for visitors who want to make the evening feel more local. This historic pub combines seasonal food, a broad drinks list, boutique accommodation and flexible event spaces. It has step-free access and WC facilities, with baby-changing provision for families. Its position near North Greenwich station, the O2 and the Thames Path makes it a useful base before or after an event.
Featured in this story
The Pilot
Pub & Bar · Greenwich
A historic pub and hotel in North Greenwich, The Pilot offers fresh seasonal food, a selection of world beers and ales, and boutique accommodation, located conveniently near the O2 Arena.
For a more distinctly riverside meal, The Oystercatcher sits on the Greenwich Peninsula at Kings Lodge. The restaurant and bar focuses on seasonal food and cocktails, with spaces looking towards the Thames and London skyline. Its Nest dining area has floor-to-ceiling windows, while the River’s Edge opens towards a terrace. It is also dog-friendly, making it a more relaxed option for visitors combining a walk with lunch or an early dinner.
Featured in this story
The Oystercatcher
Restaurant · Greenwich
A riverside restaurant and bar situated on the Greenwich Peninsula, offering seasonal dishes, cocktails, and panoramic views of the River Thames. The venue provides flexible event spaces for private functions and weddings.
The key practical point is to leave enough time. Even a short meal can become hurried when crowds are moving towards the arena, so treat dinner as part of the experience rather than something to squeeze in at the last minute.
The best outdoor add-ons around the O2
For a simple change of pace, Greenwich Peninsula Park is one of the most useful nearby green spaces. This tree-lined linear park runs through the modern neighbourhood and offers room for a picnic, dog walk, informal play or a little outdoor exercise. It is open 24 hours and has multiple access points from the surrounding streets, so it is easy to use as a short break rather than a formal destination.
The park is particularly useful when the O2 feels crowded. Its contemporary setting reflects the wider Peninsula, with views towards new residential buildings and the London Cable Car, while the paths provide a calmer route between the entertainment district and other local attractions. There is no dedicated playground within the park itself, but families may find the open space helpful before an event.
For a longer walk, join the Greenwich Riverside and Thames Path. The route links the modern Peninsula with the historic waterfront around Greenwich, passing through a series of very different landscapes. Around central Greenwich, the emphasis is on the Cutty Sark, Old Royal Naval College and river views towards Canary Wharf. Further east, the setting becomes more contemporary, with public art, newer development and The Tide.
The wider riverside route is mostly level, although surfaces, crossings, diversions and crowding vary. It is suitable for walking, jogging and many sections of cycling, but visitors should plan carefully if they need a fully step-free route. There is no single set of opening hours because the Thames Path is a public outdoor route, and nearby attractions and facilities operate independently.
Nature lovers can make a more deliberate detour to Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park. This compact wetland reserve has lakes, reed beds, boardwalks, bird hides and interpretation, offering a striking contrast with the busy O2. The inner park is listed as open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with free entry and no advance booking. The outer boardwalk is currently reported closed for major repairs, so check the latest access position before travelling. Dogs are not permitted inside the reserve, apart from guide and assistance dogs.
A different kind of Thames crossing
One of the most rewarding ways to extend a Greenwich Peninsula visit is to use the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. The tunnel links the Greenwich waterfront with Island Gardens beneath the Thames and takes around ten minutes to walk. It is free, listed as open 24 hours and offers a memorable alternative to crossing by road or riverboat.
The Peninsula is not directly beside the Greenwich entrance, so this works best as part of a longer one-way walk rather than a quick diversion before a show. However, it is an excellent option for a daytime itinerary: follow the river towards central Greenwich, explore Cutty Sark Gardens and the Old Royal Naval College, then cross beneath the Thames to Island Gardens for one of London’s best views back towards Greenwich.
The tunnel has lifts as well as spiral stairs, but lift availability can change because of maintenance or faults. Anyone who relies on step-free access should check the current position before setting out. Cyclists may use the tunnel only on foot with their bicycles dismounted.
The O2 from above
For visitors looking for a more adventurous experience, Up at The O2 offers the chance to climb across the venue’s roof and see London from a very different angle. The experience is already distinctive, but seasonal events add an extra layer of atmosphere.
On Saturday 31 October 2026, the Halloween Silent Disco Climb is scheduled to combine the roof walk with a silent-disco experience at the summit. Multiple climb times are listed between 4.30pm and 7pm, with tickets from £49. The event is designed around night-time views of the capital, so it offers a particularly memorable way to experience the Greenwich Peninsula after dark.
This is a ticketed activity and should be booked in advance. Check the operator’s latest information for session times, weather arrangements, clothing requirements and any age or participation rules before travelling. The climb is not a substitute for the arena itself, but it is one of the clearest ways to understand the O2’s scale and its relationship with the river, skyline and Peninsula.
Practical tips for a smoother visit
Use North Greenwich Underground station for the simplest public transport journey to the O2 and surrounding Peninsula. If you are combining the area with central Greenwich, plan the route in advance: the Thames Path and Greenwich Foot Tunnel make the connection scenic, but the full walk takes considerably longer than a direct station-to-venue journey.
Wear comfortable footwear, especially if your plans include The Tide, the Ecology Park or a longer riverside route. The Peninsula is generally accessible on foot, but not every path has the same surface, gradient or level of shelter.
If you are bringing children, Greenwich Peninsula Park provides open space, while the nearby venues offer toilets and refreshments. For a larger family day out, the Greenwich Park Playground is further west and includes inclusive play equipment, sand and water play, children’s toilets, baby-changing facilities and an accessible toilet.
Dog owners should check each destination separately. Greenwich Peninsula Park welcomes dogs under control, The Oystercatcher is dog-friendly and the Thames Path is generally suitable for dog walking. Dogs are not permitted inside Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, and restrictions may apply inside venues and around busy event spaces.
Finally, allow for event-day crowds. The area can change character quickly before a major show, and restaurants, station approaches and pedestrian routes may all be busier than usual. A little extra time turns the O2 from a stressful appointment into a much more enjoyable Greenwich outing.
Why the O2 belongs in a wider Greenwich day
The O2 is sometimes treated as a destination you enter for a few hours and leave again. That misses what makes North Greenwich interesting. The Peninsula brings together entertainment, architecture, riverside walking, public art, new parks and pockets of wetland nature in a way that feels distinctly different from historic Greenwich, while still being part of the same borough and waterfront story.
Come for the concert, comedy show or roof climb, but give yourself time to look around. Walk The Tide, stop in Greenwich Peninsula Park, watch the river change under the evening light, or make the longer journey towards Cutty Sark and the Old Royal Naval College. The O2 is at its best when it becomes the starting point for discovering the Greenwich Peninsula rather than the end of the journey.
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