Why go
In the 17th century, the park was landscaped, possibly by André Le Nôtre who is known at least to have designed plans for it. In 1888 the park got a station of its own when Greenwich Park railway station was opened.
What to look for
- Samuel Johnson visited the park in 1763 and commented “Is it not fine?”.
- The park is open year round.
- In the 15th century the park was mostly heathland and probably used for hawking.
The full story
One of the Royal Parks of London, and the first to be enclosed , it covers 74 hectares (180 acres), and is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site. The estate of some 200 acres (81 ha) was originally owned by the Abbey of St. Peter at Ghent, but reverted to the Crown in 1427 and was given by Henry VI to his uncle Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. He built a house by the river, Bella Court, and a small castle, called Greenwich Castle as well as Duke Humphrey’s Tower, on the hill. The former evolved first into the Tudor Palace of Placentia and then into the Queen's House and Greenwich Hospital. Greenwich Castle, by now in disrepair, was chosen for the site of the Royal Observatory by Charles II in 1675.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Outdoor visit · 45–90 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.