The Greenwich Foundation took over the management of the estate on the departure of the Royal Navy in 1997 with the aim ‘to preserve the exceptional architecture, interiors and grounds of the ORNC as a legacy for future generations, and to provide access, inspiration and enjoyment to a wide and diverse audience’. Since then, the principal buildings have been refurbished, the grounds have been re-landscaped, suitable tenants for the buildings have been found and a new visitor centre, Discover Greenwich, has been opened to critical acclaim.

With 1.4 million visits in 2010, the ORNC has reached fifteenth in the list of most-visited attractions in the UK. Areas of the site open free of charge to the public include the remarkable Painted Hall and Chapel, as well as the spacious lawns and colonnaded walkways. A lively programme of cultural events and a wide range of learning opportunities for families, visitors and school children have been developed, which animate the spaces and help to intepret the site. The venues of the ORNC are also hired out regularly for corporate receptions, private dinners, weddings and for the filming of feature film and TV productions.

The Greenwich Foundation is a charitable organisation and receives an annual grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Additional funds are raised in a variety of ways including rental from the University of Greenwich, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and other site partners, venue hire for private and public events, commercial filming and photography as well as donations.

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