About Greenwich Park

This park being the oldest of the enclosed Royal Parks is set in 74 Hectares of sweeping hilly land, where visitors can enjoy famous views that stretch from the Thames to the Docklands and across the City of London to St. Pauls Cathedral. The park is internationally significant as it marks the Greenwich Meridian, which is the latitude that divides East and West into two separate hemispheres. It is also important as Greenwich mean time is calculated from this latitude.

The site of Greenwich Park dates back to Roman times, and in fact even today there remain relics of what seems to be a Roman temple dating back to AD43-410. However the site is most popularly associated with royalty. The land was inherited in 1427 by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester who was the brother of Henry V. He enclosed it and built a tower which now has been converted into the Greenwich Observatory. This observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II who demolished the Tudor Palace, to make way for his scientific interests in the building of the Observatory by Sir Christopher Wren. Other historic buildings besides the Observatory include, the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House.

The landscape of the park changed with the dawn of WW2 when anti-aircraft guns were set-up in the Flower garden. The more dated trees in the park are oddly shaped as their tips were chopped off to make it easy to witness approaching targets. However the park was restored post-WW2 to its former glory, and now is a pristine undulating landscape.

The foundation for the landscape was created in the 17th Century. Large open spaces and tree-line walkways were the main theme, whilst more hardy mature trees such as chestnut were present. Today however there is an attempt to reinvigorate the Orchards in the Park, and thus English apple trees are being planted, and this is complemented with herb gardens which have a selection of 30 different herbs. Within the garden Park-goers can also experience the scents and beauty of over 100 varieties of roses and flowers during the spring/summer months.

At the far South Eastern corner of the park there is an enclosure for red and fallow deer and other wildlife such as birds, bats and foxes. Greenwich Park is a perfect spot for Ornithologists and bird-watchers with over 70 different species of birds over the year, that range from woodpeckers to owls and more endemic species that are bred within the park itself.

The park also is host to the Pavilion teahouse which acts as a refreshment point, with licensed cafes, restaurants and toilet facilities. There also is a playground for kids and a small pond where model boating competitions are held in the summer months.

Location

Tube:
North Greenwich - Jubilee Line (then catch the 188 bus to Greenwich Park gate.)

Train:
Connecting trains depart from Cannon Street, Waterloo, London Bridge and Charing Cross and go to Greenwich, Maze Hill and Blackheath.

Dockland Light Railway:
Cutty Sark station - walk through the market and you will reach St Mary's Gate and the Circus Gates of the Park.
Greenwich station - follow the signs to the Park.

Bus:
53 Trafalgar Square - Plumstead
54 Woolwich - Elmers End
177 Thamesmead - Peckham
180 Thamesmead - Lewisham
188 North Greenwich - Russel Square
199 Canada Water - Catford
202 Crystal Palace - Blackheath
286 Greenwich - Sidcup
380 Lewisham - Woolwich
386 Greenwich - Woolwich