Question 1

What are the park opening hours?

Accepted Answer

The pedestrian gates open from 6am each day with the vehicle gates opening an hour later from 7am for car parking. Both close at dusk each day, which varies throughout the year. This week's opening hours, and any public notices relating to temporary closures (due to park events or maintenance, for example) can be found on the Greenwich Park web page.

2025 opening times
You can view the 2025 opening times for Greenwich Park here.

Question 2

What are the closest public transport links to the park?

Accepted Answer

Greenwich Park is well served by a range of different public transport services:

Train
The closest mainline stations are Maze Hill and Greenwich. Both stations are served by services from Thameslink and Southeastern. In addition, the Docklands Light Railway also stops at Greenwich and nearby Cutty Sark stations.

Tube
There is no underground station within easy reach of the park, so we would recommend using the mainline rail services shown above.

Bus
There are plenty of options for getting to the park by bus. Use an online planner from TfL or Google to prepare for your journey.

Cycle
Cycling to Greenwich Park has never been easier. There are a wealth of marked cycleways passing through and around the park. Full details can be found on the TfL website.

Question 3

Is there an accessible toilet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are located on The Avenue, at Blackheath Gates and by the playground and we also have a Changing Places Toilet located at the Ignatius Sancho Cafe

Question 4

How big is the park?

Accepted Answer

Greenwich Park is approximately 74 hectares (182 acres) in size - the equivalent of six O2 arenas! The park's perimeter is approximately 2 miles long. You can view or download the park map here.

Question 5

What is the park's history?

Accepted Answer

There has been a settlement on this site since Roman times, but Greenwich has always been strongly associated with royalty. Since the land was inherited in 1427 by the Duke of Gloucester, brother of Henry V, generations of monarchs have taken this magnificent park to their hearts. Greenwich was the birthplace of Henry VIII who introduced deer to the park. In the early 1600s, the park was laid out in the French style with many trees planted, some of which remain today. Under the reign of Charles II Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to build The Royal Observatory, named Flamsteed House after the first Royal Astronomer John Flamsteed.

More information on the park's history can be found here.

Question 6

Is car parking available?

Accepted Answer

Greenwich Park has an extensive main car park located along either side of Blackheath Avenue at the southern end of the park. It is accessible from Charlton Way as shown on our park map. Vehicle parking is available from 7:00am to park closing times, as shown on the park web page.

Disabled parking
There are several disabled parking spaces along Blackheath Avenue. In addition, there is a small disabled-only car park located further north, at the junction with Great Cross Avenue - next to the Pavillion Café. Parking is free of charge for Blue Badge holders, but is subject to a 4-hour time limit.

Question 7

Is there a charge for car parking?

Accepted Answer

Car parking in Greenwich Park is chargeable from 9am to 6pm, every day of the week - including Bank Holidays.

Payment methods
The parking machines in our car parks accept both cash and cashless payments.

Tariff
Monday to Saturday: 35p per 15 mins / £1.40 per hour / £5.60 for the maximum stay of 4 hours.
Sunday (and Bank Holidays): 50p per 15 mins / £2.00 per hour, up to the maximum stay of 4 hours.

Motorcycles
Motorcycles can be parked for free, up to the maximum stay of 4 hours.

Question 8

Can I drive through the park?

Accepted Answer

Following our Movement Strategy trials it was decided to reduce the number of vehicles driving through Greenwich Park as a way to improve the park visitor experience and open up new spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors can no longer drive along The Avenue, and vehicle access to all parking is via Blackheath Gate only.

View the vehicle access map

Question 9

How do I pay or contest a car parking fine?

Accepted Answer

The Royal Parks do not process parking fines (or Excess Charge Notices - ECNs) in-house. These are managed by NSL Parking Services. You can pay your ECN online or by phone using an automated service on 0343 2082089.

Full details can be found here.

Question 10

Is there a mobility service to take visitors around the park?

Accepted Answer

Mobility buggy

Yes, Greenwich Park operates a mobility buggy service which stops at 3 locations around the park, and runs frequently throughout the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Staffed by our trained volunteers the buggy can take up to 4 seated passengers and 1 passenger in a wheelchair.

Full details can be found here.

Question 11

Can I cycle in the park?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cycling is permitted within Greenwich Park, but only where stated (e.g. The Avenue, Blackheath Avenue, Great Cross Avenue etc.). Smaller paths across the park where cycling is not allowed have clear 'no cycling' signage at ground level. Please be considerate and give space to other park users and the park's wildlife. Pedestrians have priority at all times.

You can check permitted cycleways on OpenStreetMap.

For more information view Cycling in The Royal Parks.

Question 12

Is there a charge to use the public toilets?

Accepted Answer

There is a 20p charge to use the public toilets in the parks. We have recently installed a contactless system which accepts credit/debit cards, prepaid cards and mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Cash is no longer accepted.

Question 13

What cafés and kiosks are in the park?

Accepted Answer

Greenwich Park has one main café - The Pavilion Café. There are also several smaller refreshment kiosks dotted throughout the park. View the Food and Drink section for full details of each outlet, along with their latest menus.

You can find their locations on the park map.

Question 14

What sports facilities are in the park?

Accepted Answer

Greenwich Park is perfect for a wide range of sports activities including running, roller-skating, personal fitness, cricket or football. At Park Sports Greenwich Park you can practice your serves and volleys on the tennis courts. Or if you'd prefer to take to the water, boating is also available in the park.

Discover more here.

Question 15

Do The Royal Parks have a shop?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a permanent shop located by the Boat House in Hyde Park which is open all year round. We are open from 10am-6pm, 7 days a week.* In addition, during warmer months our mobile 'pop-up' shops tour the central parks with a curated selection from the range.

We also now have an online shop with free postage for orders over £50.

*Opening hours vary slightly throughout the year. Please check the shop webpage for current times.

Question 16

What do the Royal Parks shops sell?

Accepted Answer

The Royal Parks shops offer a unique ranges of gifts, homewares, prints, books and garden accessories, as well as beautiful keepsakes to take home as a memento of your visit. Take your time and browse seasonal collections and year-round favourites.

Visit the Hyde Park shop Visit the online shop

Question 17

Are The Royal Parks shop products sustainable?

Accepted Answer

Sustainability and addressing climate change are at the heart of everything we do.

We ensure that products have been ethically sourced and sustainably produced by local artisans and UK businesses where possible.

In our shop in Hyde Park, all of the fixtures are made from recycled, upcycled and reused materials. When you order online the packaging you receive your products in are made from recycled materials and can be recycled again at home (even the tape!).

We strive for transparency with our responsible approach to evaluating the sourcing and production processes of our products. We collaborate with partners who share our values, ensuring they adhere to fair labour practices and ethical standards.

You can read about our approach to sustainability online.

Question 18

Do I need to keep my dog on a lead?

Accepted Answer

Generally, dogs do not need to be kept on a lead in Greenwich Park but it is the owner's responsibility to keep the dog under control. There are several exceptions to this. Dogs are not allowed in The Flower Garden, Wilderness Deer Paddock or Royal Observatory Garden. Other areas where dogs are not allowed are listed in our Dogs in The Royal Parks policy document.

Commercial dog walkers
Please note, that if you want to use the Royal Parks for commercial dog walking purposes, you must have a Commercial Dog Walking Licence issued by The Royal Parks charity.

Question 19

Can I feed the wildlife in the park?

Accepted Answer

No. Feeding birds and animals in the parks does more harm than good. You can learn more about why this is, and how you can help us in caring for their wellbeing here.

Question 20

How can I contact the park office?

Accepted Answer

Getting in touch with park offices is quick and easy and all enquiries are handled by our dedicated Visitor & Park Support team.

Online
Simply complete the short online enquiry form and your question(s) will be passed to the most appropriate staff member. To ensure an efficient service, please check that you have provided the following information:

Park
Subject
Your name
Your email address
Your enquiry

Telephone
You can also contact the park offices by telephone using the following numbers:

Hyde Park 0300 061 2000
Kensington Gardens 0300 061 2000
St. James's Park and The Green Park 0300 061 2350
The Regent's Park 0300 061 2300
Greenwich Park 0300 061 2380
Richmond Park 0300 061 2200
Bushy Park 0300 061 2250

Contacting the police in an emergency
For police assistance, please call 101 for non-emergencies, and 999 for emergencies. You can also report a crime online.

Question 21

Who do I contact about lost property?

Accepted Answer

To report lost property, please contact our Visitor and Park Support Team via their online contact form with the following information:

Your contact details
A description of the item
Date and time when the item was lost
Location (if known) where the item was lost

If the property has been found by staff or handed in to us we'll let you know.

Question 22

Who do I report a crime in the park to?

Accepted Answer

To report criminal activity in the park you should contact the police. For non-emergencies call 101, and for emergencies call 999. You can also report a crime online.

Question 23

Can I run personal training sessions in the park?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can use Greenwich Park as a location for personal training or group fitness sessions - providing you have a current fitness training licence issued by The Royal Parks charity.

Fitness training licences are also available for Hyde Park, The Regent's Park, The Green Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park. They are not available for St. James's Park, Kensington Gardens, Victoria Tower Gardens or Brompton Cemetery.

To apply for a fitness training licence please read the information here and complete the online application form.

Question 24

Do I need a permit to shoot photos in the park?

Accepted Answer

If you are filming/photographing by yourself on a mobile phone or action camera for purely personal use then no you don't need a permit to film/photograph in the park. However, for all other purposes you will need to obtain a filming or photography permit from The Royal Parks charity. Full information and online application forms can be found here.

Question 25

Can I have a picnic in the park?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we welcome informal picnics in the Royal Parks. Please read our guidance document for maximum group sizes and what is and isn't permitted. Please note that barbecues are not allowed.

Question 26

Can I hold an event in the park?

Accepted Answer

Every year, we welcome hundreds of small and medium events to the Royal Parks, including walks and runs, large picnics, concerts and community sports. Applications for such events are considered by our dedicated Parks Events team. To find out more, and submit an application click here. At least six weeks’ notice is required.

Question 27

Can I use the bandstand?

Accepted Answer

We welcome the use of our park bandstands for small public events such as music festivals, dance or group fitness workshops or theatrical performances. Applications for such events are considered by our dedicated Parks Events team. To find out more, and submit an application click here. At least six weeks’ notice is required.

Question 28

Can I swim in the lake?

Accepted Answer

For the safety of visitors and protection of park wildlife, public swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes and ponds of the Royal Parks. The only exception is the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park which is manned by lifeguards and open during summer months.

Question 29

Can I buy a Christmas tree in Greenwich Park this year?

Accepted Answer

It won’t be possible to buy a Christmas tree in Greenwich Park this year because we have decided to pause sales in the park for this season. This decision is part of an ongoing evaluation of our retail offerings and may be revisited in the future.

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