Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is one of London’s eight Royal Parks, situated in the London Borough of Greenwich. As well being a World Heritage Site, the park is a Grade 1 listed landscape and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. Address: (Map:; OS grid reference TQ390772)

History
Greenwich Park was originally an estate owned by the Abbey of St Peter at Ghent, but it reverted to the Crown in 1427 and was enclosed as a deer park in 1433. Henry VI gave it to his uncle Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who built a small castle, called Greenwich Castle, at the top of a north-facing hill near the centre of the site. At the time, the park was mostly heathland and probably used for hawking. Early in the 17th century, James I enclosed the park with a brick wall, 3.5m (12ft) high and 3km (2 miles) long, much of which remains and defines the modern boundary. In the 17th century, the park was landscaped, and in 1675 Charles II chose the dilapidated Greenwich Castle as the site for the Royal Observatory, which still stands. The public were first allowed into the park during the 18th century.

Habitat
The park is on two levels, with a steep slope between them. The lower level includes some open water in the form of a small boating lake in the north-east corner. On the upper level is an extensive flower garden (with large duck pond), a rose garden, many 17th century chestnut trees with gnarled trunks, an ancient oak tree (the “Queen’s Oak”, associated with Queen Elizabeth I) and an enclosure (“The Wilderness”) housing some wild(ish) deer. There is also a cricket pitch, tennis courts, a bandstand and some Roman remains.

Immediately to the south of Greenwich Park is the similar sized open space of Blackheath, which mainly features tree-less grassland and sports fields crisscrossed by roads.

Species
Birds

More than 30 bird species are known to breed in Greenwich Park. They include Tawny Owl and all three British woodpecker species.

Further information needed, please.

Other vertebrates

A few Red Deer and Fallow Deer are kept in the grassland enclosure (“The Wilderness”). A survey in 2003 found that the park was an important feeding site for Common Pipistrelle bats.

Invertebrates

Fourteen species of butterfly are found in Greenwich Park, seven of which can be seen regularly. Meadow Brown, Essex Skipper and Small Copper can be seen in the grassland, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue can be found among shrubberies and trees. You are also likely to see for gatekeeper, speckled wood and holly blue. You will also see Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma and various whites. Six species of grasshoppers and crickets have also been recorded in the park. A spider survey in 2003 recorded 92 species in the park (plus a further 11 in Vanbrugh Hollows, just outside the park boundary). The survey found four nationally notable species, including a new record for London - Nigma puella (a small green spider with a distinctive red mark on its abdomen.

Practicalities
Directions

Trains from Cannon Street, Waterloo, London Bridge and Charing Cross serve to Greenwich, Maze Hill and Blackheath stations. The nearest station to the park is Maze Hill, near its north-east corner. The nearest London Underground station is North Greenwich (Jubilee Line), from which the 188 bus takes you to Greenwich Park gate. The park can also be reached easily from two Docklands Light Railways station -- Cutty Sark and Greenwich.

If travelling by car, it is possible to park (pay and display) in areas along the main roads entering from Blackheath. Cars and motor-cycles can use the park road linking Blackheath and Greenwich at peak periods on weekdays. Cycle routes criss-cross the park, but tend to be clogged by joggers, roller-bladers, dog-walkers, etc.

Access

Greenwich Park is open daily from 6am for pedestrians (7am for traffic). Closing times vary with the season.

Facilities

Next to the Observatory is the Park Café. There is another, smaller café by the north-west gate. There are many places to eat and drink in Greenwich.

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