Greenwich Park is a former hunting park in Greenwich. At the moment it is included in the list of the largest green areas, which are located in the south-east of London. Greenwich Park is one of the Royal Parks of the city. It was fenced in back in 1433. Greenwich Park covers about 183 acres of land and is included in the Greenwich World Heritage Site. Having been here, you can see gorgeous views of the Thames, Isle of Dogs and central London. The park is open from 6 am for pedestrians, and from 7 am for traffic throughout the day. At dusk, the park is closed.
Geography
The park has the shape of an even rectangle, whose sides are equal to 1000 and 750 meters. The long sides face southwest as well as northeast. This direction was chosen due to the good relief.
The park is located along the hillside and has a couple of levels. The lower level, which is near the Museum, the Royal House, is more northern; Climbing the strong side of the hill, you can get to a large area, which, for the most part, is considered the edge of the Blackhes Plateau.
At the heart of the hill is the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. In the north of the park, you can see the National Maritime Museum and the Royal House, and next to them is the Greenwich Hospital. In the western part of the park is Vanbruch Castle, to the south is Blackheath, and to the southwest is the House of the Wanderers. In the west, there are several architecturally correct streets – these are Chesterfield Alley and Crum Hill Alley.
Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory is located at the very top of the hill. Here is a statue of General James Wolfe. It is located in a small square, from where you can see gorgeous views of the Greenwich Hospital, which later became the Royal Maritime College and the modern University of Greenwich. Here you can also enjoy the landscape of the river, skyscrapers, the city center.
Facilities
The lower level of the park is equipped with a children’s playground, which is located in its northeastern part, near the Maze Hill station. There is also a lake with a boat station located on it. There is a herbarium near the entrance to Greenwich.
The upper level is decorated with an expensive flower garden, it has a pond with ducks, a garden filled with roses, a cricket field, a large number of chestnut and empty trees, a tennis court, an orchestra ground. There are also Roman ruins, as well as the famous old oak, which bears the name “Royal Oak” in honor of Queen Elizabeth I. The lower level has a fenced reserve called “Desert”, which is inhabited by wild deer.
Not far from the observatory is the Royal Astronomy Garden, which is a quiet and peaceful place. It is great for picnics, and sometimes theater groups like Midsummer Night’s Dream rehearse here. To the south of the Wolf monument there is a Park Cafe, and another one can be visited not far from the northwest gate.
A wide road from Blahes leads to the park. Circular roads, which cross the park several times, are intended for lovers of fresh air and sports, such as runners, rollers, walking with animals. The rest of the roads used by cars and motorcycles are only accessible during peak hours on weekends. They make it easier to travel from Blackheath to Greenwich.
Sport
Everyone knows that London is hosting the 2012 Olympic Games. It is in Greenwich Park that horse races, show jumping, as well as cross-country modern modern pentathlon will take place. Greenwich Park took part in the final leg of the 2006 Tour of England, a circuit race that took place on 3 September. The Greenwich Meridian Festival is held here every spring.
