skip to main content
The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy
  • Home
  • Royal Parks
  • Support
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Shop
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • searchsearch
The Royal Parks menu
  • Visitor information
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting here
    • Accessibility information
    • Parking in Greenwich Park
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Contact Greenwich Park
    • Oak Processionary Moth
  • Map of Greenwich Park
  • Food and drink
    • The Pavilion Café
    • Park View Coffee Cabin
    • White House Cafe
  • Things to see and do
    • Upcoming events in Greenwich Park
    • Gardens and landscapes
    • National Maritime Museum
    • The Meridian Line
    • The Royal Observatory
    • Monuments, memorials and statues
    • Wildlife
    • Sports and leisure
    • Children's playgrounds
    • Ancient Greenwich
    • Recent History
  • Latest News
    • Sign up to the Greenwich Park Revealed newsletter
  • About Greenwich Park
    • History and Architecture
    • Landscape History
    • Greenwich Park in film
    • The Greenwich Park story
  • Greenwich Park Revealed
  • Donate
searchSearch
  • The Royal Parks
  • Visitor information
    arrow_drop_down
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting here
    • Accessibility information
    • Parking in Greenwich Park
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Contact Greenwich Park
    • Oak Processionary Moth
  • Map of Greenwich Park
  • Food and drink
    arrow_drop_down
    • The Pavilion Café
    • Park View Coffee Cabin
    • White House Cafe
  • Things to see and do
    arrow_drop_down
    • Upcoming events in Greenwich Park
    • Gardens and landscapes
    • National Maritime Museum
    • The Meridian Line
    • The Royal Observatory
    • Monuments, memorials and statues
    • Wildlife
    • Sports and leisure
    • Children's playgrounds
    • Ancient Greenwich
    • Recent History
  • Latest News
    arrow_drop_down
    • Sign up to the Greenwich Park Revealed newsletter
  • About Greenwich Park
    arrow_drop_down
    • History and Architecture
    • Landscape History
    • Greenwich Park in film
    • The Greenwich Park story
  • Greenwich Park Revealed
  •  
  • Donate
    • Home
    • Royal Parks
    • Support
    • Media Centre
    • Careers
    • Shop
    • About us
    • Contact us
  • Greenwich Park
  • 
  • Latest News
  • 

Pears, plums and peaches - The Queen's Orchard opens in Greenwich Park

Published Tuesday 19 August 2014

The Queen's Orchard in Greenwich Park has opened after being lovingly restored with the inclusion of heritage fruit trees, new gates, pathways and ponds.

April 16, 2013

The Queen's Orchard in Greenwich Park opened yesterday after being lovingly restored with the inclusion of heritage fruit trees, new gates, pathways and ponds.

Thanks to the help of local volunteers, schools and members of the Greenwich Park Friends, the Orchard - which dates back to the 17th century - features a whole host of new attractions for park visitors to enjoy.

Managed by The Royal Parks, the restoration work to the Orchard contains local influences throughout, with local artist Heather Burrell, along with pupils from The John Roan Secondary and Meridian Primary Schools and the Friends of Greenwich Park designing the single metal decorative gate, which contains the name of the Orchard, and the well covering found just inside the entrance.

Dating back to the 1500's the heritage fruit trees, which were planted by volunteers in 2011 and 2013, include: apples, pears, cherries, plums, peaches, apricot, nectarine, medlar and quince.

During 2012, pathways were restored, raised planting beds using timber and brick were installed, plus two ponds, a formal pond at the centre of the vegetable area and an informal pond by the fruit tree meadow. During 2012 The Queen's Orchard volunteers working with The Royal Parks, cultivated the beds, planted and tended a variety of vegetable and flowers.

Linda Lennon CBE, Chief Executive, The Royal Parks said:

"It is such a pleasure to be here today and to open this beautiful Orchard.

"I am taken aback by the stunning and intricate detail, especially the new decorative gate - it really adds to the overall look of the Orchard.

"This new addition really enhances Greenwich Park and I hope all who visit agree."

Graham Dear, Greenwich Park Manager added:

"The Queen's Orchard has never looked so good and I'm very proud to have it as part of Greenwich Park.

"I'd like to thank all of our local residents, schools and volunteers for their support and help to get the Orchard looking the way it does today.

"I hope that park visitors will appreciate this new attraction and enjoy it for years to come."

The Orchard's name was found on records dating back 1693 and has been incorporated into the new decorative gate.

Des Malone, Head of John Roan Secondary School, said:

"The gate design that the pupils produced is fantastic and they should be very proud of their achievements. I know they had a lot of fun taking part and learning about the parks and nature, hopefully some of that knowledge will inspire them to take up horticulture in the future."

Jo Graham, Head of Meridian Primary School, added:

"It has been such a great project for us to be involved in and I'm very proud of what the children have achieved. The pupils really enjoyed taking part in the workshops where they learnt about ecology and wildlife whilst being creative with their ideas for the decorative gate."

The Orchard will be open to the public on Sundays from 1.00pm - 3.00pm starting 21st April.

Students plant broad beans in The Queen's Orchard

Mayor of Greenwich opens The Queen's Orchard alongside Linda Lennon and students and teachers

Students from John Roan and Meridian School with the gate they designed



  • Greenwich Park

Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Website user survey

close

search
Explore the Royal Parks
  • Hyde Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Richmond Park
  • Bushy Park
  • St James's Park
  • The Green Park
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Park Revealed - Park Restoration Project
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • Grosvenor Square Garden
Support the parks
  • Make a donation
  • Give a significant gift 
  • Leave a gift in your Will 
  • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
  • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
  • Become a partner
  • Corporate volunteering
  • Tributes in your local park
Media Centre
  • Press Releases
  • Royal Parks News Permit
  • Filming and photography
  • Royal Parks Image Library
  • News Archive
  • Trooping the Colour media accreditation
About us
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Procurement
  • Partner organisations
  • Publications
  • Friends of The Royal Parks
  • Contact us
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Watch our videos on YouTube
The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is a registered charity (No. 1172042) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 10016100 (VAT No. 261 4640 19)

Copyright © The Royal Parks 2016-2022 | Head Office: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UHTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

close

Subscribe to our eNewsletter today

Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list.

Aerial view of Regents