The usual way down from the Royal Observatory is currently blocked while contractors redevelop the area around the James Wolfe statue. There is little warning and the yellow path diversion sign just beyond the roundabout mentioned below has no explanation. Much better to take the alternative route described here.
Alternative route
It is well worth diverting from the main route to One Tree Hill where the view is more expansive (see image to the right and map below) and there are far fewer tourists. As you walk towards the Royal Observatory you come to a roundabout at a cross roads just before the Pavilion café on the right. Turn right here.
Walk to the end of the broad avenue (Great Cross Avenue). At the end turn half left (not sharp left) along another avenue (Bower Avenue). At the end you come to an information panel about the Romano-Celtic Temple. Turn left here and walk downhill.
After a while, you cross a broad path. Shortly afterwards you approach a bench on the right. Just before this bench, take a few steps to the right to cross over to a narrower path that curves round and rises up the hill. Continue along this path. After passing between two flights of stone stairs there are railings on your left. The path and railings finally curve right and bring you up to the view point.
After enjoying the view, keep on, but immediately turn sharply left at a path crossing following the the railings round and down. The path descends quite steeply to reach an open area where six paths meet. Bear right down an avenue of trees to pass to the left of the boating lake. At the end, turn left to walk beside the colonnades of the Queen’s House to regain the main route, as described in our walk guidance, by turning right through a hedge just before you reach the large model of HMS Victory in a giant bottle.
