Greenwich Park
What’s there?
Greenwich park has 183 arces of park land to explore and it’s easy to miss some of the best bits.
In The Wildness you will find a herd of Fallow and Red deer which you can watch from special viewpoints. The secluded woodland and ancient trees provide a habitat for a wonderful array of wildlife, including stag beetles and other invertebrates, foxes, bats and birds. Sit in this quiet sanctuary and embrass nature.
There are several flower gardens planted throughout the park, these colourful displays attract bees, butterflies and keen photographers. The Rose Garden is particularly stunning when they are in full bloom.
In the North East corner of Greenwich park you will find the children’s play area. This is a wonderful spot for the children to explore and let off steam. It has several climbing frames of differing designs to suit all ages. Lots of swings, a large sandpit with water fountain and some wonderful willow tunnels to run through. There are some picnic tables here too if you haven’t already found a wonderful spot to eat your lunch. Toilets and a kiosk can also be found in the play area.
Next to the play area is the boating lake where you can have a go at rowing or paddling around the water, charges apply.
If you walk from the play area to the end of The Avenue, near the Greenwich Village entrance, you will walk past the Herbaceous border. This 200m long herbaceous border is the largest in London. This walk will also take you across the back of the Queen’s House towards the National Maritime Museum.
Close to the center of the Greenwich Park you will find The Royal Observatory, Planetarium and Greenwich Meridian Line. These attractions all require paid admission, but the buildings are beautiful. The views of East London from the top of the hill are wonderful.
There are several cafes within Greenwich Park. The Pavillon sits almost centrally at the end of Blackheath Avenue. The White House Cafe is at the end of The Avenue. Park View Cabin is located at the top of the hill next to the Royal Observatory and offers stunning views across East London. There is also a kiosk in the play area on the North East corner of the park. Public toilets are located throughout the park, usually close to the cafes, they are well sign posted.
There are many tarmacked footpaths throughout the park which makes accessibility very easy. Take care when choosing which path to take up or down the hill by the Observatory as some are very steep if you are using a pushchair or wheelchair. The Avenue offers a more gradual slope down to the northern part of the park, close to Greenwich Village, the Herbaceous border and Greenwich Maritime Museum.
For more information about Greenwich Park visit The Royal Parks website.
The closest train/tube stations are Greenwich, Cutty Sark and Maze Hill. There are lots of buses that stop close to the park, see google maps for more information and where the best stop for you is. You can park on Blackheath Avenue, which offers limited pay and display parking. We often use the Cutty Sark Gardens pay and display Car Park as you can stay here as long as you like.
Close by
All of these are in or on the edge of Greenwich Park.
The Royal Observatory and Planetarium are where you can cross the Greenwich Maridian Line and learn more about how we measure time and explore space. Please see the Royal observatory website for admissions prices and visiting information.
National Maritime Museum is a fantastic museum with something for everyone. From Polar adventures to children’s role play and iPad exploration to the sugar industry and slave trade. It is free to enter and one of our family favourites.
Queen’s House is free to enter and explore, or you can pay to join a tour and learn more about the stunning works of art housed here.
Rangers House is an English Heritage site on teh edge of the park. Please see the English Heritage Website for more information on opening times and admission prices.
A short walk away
The Cutty Sark is a restored Tea Clipper that can be explored and you can learn more about how tea and other products came to England in the past. Please see the website for more information on admissions prices and other visitor information.
The old Royal Naval College is Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece and is free to explore and enjoy. Have a look around the visitors centre and learn more about Greenwich’s maritime history or take a free 45 minute guided walk.
The Fan Museum has many examples of exquisite fans and their history.
Gallery
How to find it…
Greenwich Park, London, SE10 8XJ
What to take
- Picnic blanket, whilst there are benches and picnic tables dotted around the park, it is enormous and you never know where you might find just the right spot.