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Heritage Restoration & Historic Landscape Preservation

Restoring Greenwich Park’s famous tree avenues

Greenwich Park Revealed, the Royal Parks’ four year park restoration project, involves replanting and restoring the park’s famous tree avenues.

Find out more »

The Flower Garden

Laid out in the 1890’s The Flower Garden is one of the horticultural show pieces of Greenwich Park.

Find out more »

General Wolfe Statue

One of the focal points of Greenwich Park, the General Wolfe statue stands next to the Royal Observatory overlooking the magnificent views of the Thames and the London skyline.

Find out more »

Greenwich Park Bandstand

The Greenwich Park Bandstand is a Grade II listed structure, erected in 1891.

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Work begins to restore and protect the rare landscape of Greenwich Park’s ancient Saxon burial ground

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Greenwich Park Revealed – restoring landscape heritage and bringing history to life

Greenwich Park is at the heart of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and has always been associated with royalty. Greenwich was the birthplace of Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I and Henry used the park as his hunting ground. The park also has a fascinating social history from the inspiring life of Ignatius Sancho, Britain's first black voter to the strange story of the Greenwich Time Lady.

The Royal Park's flagship new project, Greenwich Park Revealed will restore the park's historic landscape and bring its unique history to life.

17th century splendour – the Grand Ascent, Parterre and Tree Avenues

In the 17th century, King Charles II remodelled the park to a formal design by André Le Nôtre - gardener to Louis XIV of France and the landscape architect who designed the Palace of Versailles gardens.  Henry VIII’s wild hunting ground was transformed into an impressive, Baroque landscape with grand gardens and sweeping tree avenues.  Sadly, time has eroded this magnificent landscape and the trees are damaged and declining.

Greenwich Park Revealed will reinstate Le Notre’s original designs, restoring the park to a historically-accurate grandeur in keeping with its World Heritage Site status. Dying trees will be replanted with disease-resistant, wildlife-friendly varieties. The centrepiece will be the Grand Ascent – giant, grass steps cut into Castle Hill and the Parterre – raised tree-lined banks framing the view from the Queen’s House.

The Flower Garden – Edwardian charm

The Flower Garden was developed at the turn of the 20th century and would have featured permanent perennial planting rather than the temporary seasonal bedding we see today.  Greenwich Park Revealed will adapt and celebrate this Edwardian design, using climate-change resistant, pollinator-friendly plants. The lake’s water quality and associated planting will also be improved.

One Tree Hill and Wolfe Statue viewpoints

Before the Observatory was built, One Tree Hill was the park’s main viewpoint and is the subject of many historic paintings.  Now tourists flock to the General Wolfe Statue viewpoint, and this popular spot is being eroded.

Greenwich Park Revealed will open up the General Wolfe Statue area with new landscaping and it will enhance access to One Tree Hill by improving paths and seating, encouraging visitors to explore and enjoy this quiet, natural area.

The Bandstand

Erected in 1891 with metal cast by the Coalbrookdale Company, this attractive, Grade II-listed structure is still used for summer concerts.  We will renovate the bandstand and supply it with electricity – currently we use a petrol generator to provide power for musical equipment.

Saxon Barrow Cemetery

We are carrying out a once-in-a-generation project to restore Greenwich Park’s Saxon Barrow Cemetery and protect its rare acid-grassland environment by removing a tarmac path which bisects the ancient monument.

As we carry out these important works, we will take the opportunity to find out more about the park’s fascinating past.

Click here to find out more about our plans.

Interpreting Greenwich Park’s Hidden Histories

Greenwich Park’s 590-year history spans ancient civilizations, royal ownership, scientific advances that cemented Britain’s global power and World War 2.  It is mentioned in Samuel Pepys Diary, is home to the Royal Observatory and surrounded by buildings of nationally important heritage.  Neighbouring Blackheath was a rallying point for peasant uprisings and later, home to both slave traders and free slaves campaigning for abolition.

The park itself contains a Roman Temple, underground tunnels, Anglo-Saxon burial mounds, a Queen’s bath, ancient graffiti and a WW2 bomb shelter.  However, most park visitors are not aware of this amazing heritage.

Greenwich Park Revealed will tell the park’s stories through interpretation activities such as audio trails, guided walks, cultural events and signage.  It will also contribute to historical research through community archaeology digs, engaging students to map underground features, oral history projects and volunteer research.

View from the Grand Ascent towards The Queen’s House

View from the Grand Ascent towards The Queen’s House

The Avenue at Greenwich Park

The Avenue at Greenwich Park

Queen Elizabeth Oak

Queen Elizabeth Oak

Trees along Blackheath Avenue

Trees along Blackheath Avenue

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View from the Grand Ascent towards The Queen’s House

View from the Grand Ascent towards The Queen’s House

The Avenue at Greenwich Park

The Avenue at Greenwich Park

Queen Elizabeth Oak

Queen Elizabeth Oak

Trees along Blackheath Avenue

Trees along Blackheath Avenue

Further information: Read more about how we intend to restore Greenwich Park’s famous tree avenues.

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chevron_rightNext

Restoring Greenwich Park’s famous tree avenues

Greenwich Park Revealed, the Royal Parks’ four year park restoration project, involves replanting and restoring the park’s famous tree avenues.

Find out more »

The Flower Garden

Laid out in the 1890’s The Flower Garden is one of the horticultural show pieces of Greenwich Park.

Find out more »

General Wolfe Statue

One of the focal points of Greenwich Park, the General Wolfe statue stands next to the Royal Observatory overlooking the magnificent views of the Thames and the London skyline.

Find out more »

Greenwich Park Bandstand

The Greenwich Park Bandstand is a Grade II listed structure, erected in 1891.

Find out more »

Work begins to restore and protect the rare landscape of Greenwich Park’s ancient Saxon burial ground

Find out more »

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