About Green Park

For a more mature and peaceful experience in London, one should venture into the Green Park. It covers 19 hectares of land mainly with trees, meadows and grasslands, with a floral absence except for daffodils. Rows of Lime and London Plane trees segregate the lawns.

Historically it was created in 1668 as a Deer Park by King Charles, who then constructed one of Britain's first icehouses. Initially the park was considered to be on the outskirts of London and a breeding ground for thieves and unsavoury characters, after which it was then brought into the Royal Garden Complex, and was even used to put on a royal Fireworks display. Handel famously composed the music for this event in 1749 and Queen Caroline built the Queen's walk concurrently.

Geographically it lies between Hyde Park and St.James Park and is in close proximity to Buckingham Palace, Constitution Hill, Queen's Walk and Piccadilly. There isn't much in terms of activity to be done at Green Park. It remains a more mature setting that feels like an English Countryside rather than a park in the middle of London. The main attractions are perhaps the Canada Memorial and the Gun Salutes.

The Canada Memorial stands as a testament to all the Canadian soldiers who served under the Commonwealth in the two World Wars. It is decorated with the iconic Canadian Maple Leaf and was designed by Pierre Granche. At the entrance there stands the Canada Gate which was produced in 1908 as a memorial to Queen Victoria.

The 41 Gun salute occurs on Her Majesty the Queens birthday on June 14th, and is occasionally summoned to fire when there are official state visits.

In terms of leisure and refreshments there are deck chairs available during the summer months so that people can relax and enjoy the variety of birds that flock past and make the Park their home. There is also a bicycle trail that riders can follow around the park and then onto the adjoining parks. Nearby the Ritz corner and the Canada Gate park-goers will find refreshments available from hot drinks to ice-cream and sandwiches. Overall, the park stands as a more solemn tribute to the city of London with its Memorial for war heroes and more serious rugged horticultural setting.

Location

Tube:
Green Park - Jubilee, Victoria & Piccadilly Lines
Hyde Park Corner - Piccadilly Line.

Bus:
2 Marylebone - West Norwood
8 Victoria - Bow
9 Aldwych - Hammersmith
14 Tottenham Court Road Station - Putney Heath
16 Victoria - Cricklewood
19 Finsbury Park - Battersea
22 Piccadilly Circus - Putney Common
36 Queens Park Street - Lewisham
38 Victoria - Clapton
52 Victoria - Willesden
73 Victoria - Stoke Newington
82 Victoria - North Finchley
148 Shepherd's Bush - Camberwell
436 Paddington - Lewisham