Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed Royal Park in London that boasts fantastic views across the River Thames to Central London.

This 183-acre park is not only a beautiful greenspace; it is also a World Heritage Site host to the Prime Meridian Line and home to the Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, Queens House and the Maritime Museum. Its royal connections date back to 1427 when the land was inherited by the then Duke of Gloucester. Henry VIII was born in Greenwich and it was he who introduced deer to the park, his daughters and future Queens Mary I and Elizabeth I were also born there. James I built a brick wall around the park before bestowing it upon his wife Queen Anne, she then commissioned Inigo Jones to build her a house, she died before the building was complete and the house was passed over to the wife of Charles I Henrietta Maria; it has since been known as the Queen's House. Charles II put the park on the map when he founded the Royal Society in 1661, commissioning Sir Christopher Wren to build the Royal Observatory.

Charles the II set about changing the face of the park by demolishing the Tudor palace; he then commissioned a new palace to be built and remodelled the park to a formal design inspired by Frenchman Andre Le Notre. The design incorporated a series of grass terraces lined with hawthorn hedges, an avenue of chestnut trees and some small woodlands. The royal interest in the park diminished in the 18th century when the daughter of James II, Mary, turned the palace over to be used as a hospital for sailors.

Like many Royal Park's, Greenwich Park is home to deer and other animals including foxes, rabbits and many types of birds. Facilities in the park include Mary's Gate Café, a children's play area and a bandstand. There are also many sporting facilities available for use and hire including tennis courts, a putting green, crickets and rugby pitches and a children's boating pool.

The park is open to pedestrians from 6am every day and closes at dusk. Find out more about Greenwich Park.

How to get there

The closest mainline station is at Greenwich. The closest DLR stations are at Cutty Sark and Greenwich.

If travelling by bus the 53, 54, 177, 180, 188, 199, 202, 286, 380 and 386 all serve the area.

Or if you are feeling particularly adventurous you can take a boat from Westminster, Embankment or Tower Pier to Greenwich Pier.