Then and now: celebrating Greenwich Park Revealed
This summer marked the culmination of Greenwich Park Revealed, a major project spanning several years that has restored the park's unique 17th-century landscape, created new learning and volunteering spaces, hosted more free events and community activities, and enhanced biodiversity.
Check out our gallery of then and now photos to see the changes…
Blackheath Gate
The entrance at Blackheath Gate has seen the introduction of more green space and new trees making the entrance much more welcoming.
Previously at risk of being lost forever, the project has restored Greenwich Park's 17th-century landscape to its former glory, re-establishing the 'Grand Ascent' - giant grass terraces created in the 1660s, that had almost disappeared due to heavy erosion. The declining tree avenues have been re-planted, and the slumped ‘parterre’ banks framing the Queen's Field have been re-instated.
Deer Viewing Area
The secluded areas to see the deer now have new benches, interpretation and a willow weaved fence to give the deer more privacy.
We have planted thousands of shrubs, trees, and pollinator-friendly flowers to create new meadows and boost biodiversity.
Flower Garden Lake
The North end of the Flower Garden lake now has an improved seating area with a new fence and more appropriate landscaping and planting keeping bird life in mind.
The landscape around the Flower Garden lake has benefited from wildlife friendly planting schemes in keeping with its formal Edwardian design.
Rare acid grassland habitats have flourished thanks to new mowing regimes that support mining bees, digger wasps, butterflies, insect-eating birds, and plants such as fine-leaved grasses, lichens, and gorse.
Grand Ascent
The eroded 17th century landscape of the Grand Ascent has been expertly redefined and returned to its original splendour.
The large terraces and banks of the Grand Ascent are now more visible and will be protected via managed access to ensure the landscape is able to retain this historic structure for years to come.
One Tree Hill
The view at One Tree Hill has been enhanced with new seating, and a fascinating new information panel about the history of the view and its connection to William Turner.
Tree Avenues
Both the Eastern and Western Tree Avenues have been future proofed for generations to come with more resilient elm and lime trees.
Parterre Banks and Tree Avenues
The Parterre Banks framing the Queen’s Field have been expertly landscaped and restored, reviving the original layout.
Greenwich Park Learning Centre
A new, sustainably built Learning Centre has been built in the Wilderness area of the park for outdoor education. It provides a safe and inspiring learning space for schools and community groups to discover the natural environment with nature trails, a dipping pond and a wildlife meadow.
The project has transformed part of a commercial contractors’ yard into a beautiful, landscaped public zone. This includes repurposing an existing lodge into the new Ignatius Sancho Café, named in honour of the remarkable writer, composer and abolitionist who lived in Greenwich. The area includes accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility, a volunteer hub, and a community kitchen garden.
Ignatius Sancho Café
A previously residential lodge has been transformed into the brand-new Ignatius Sancho Café.
The new café is now complete with a kitchen garden and orchard in place of the previously private garden.
The previous tool shed is now an accessible toilet block complete with a Changing Places toilet facility.
The area in front of the new café that was previously a private contractor’s yard is now a beautifully landscaped entrance into the park, via Vanbrugh Gate, and into the café.
The private garden now has a new volunteer space and is home to a glasshouse that is being maintained by apprentices, the gardening team, and horticulture students.
A large amount of previously private space is now open for everyone to enjoy.
The view from the Flower Garden is now not obstructed by a large hedge but is instead open and inviting.
The project has futureproofed Greenwich Park to provide better facilities for visitors. The improved viewing platform at the General Wolfe statue viewpoint has transformed this once-congested area into a larger, more accessible piazza-style public space to host community cultural events.
Wolfe Statue Viewing Area
The viewing platform by the General Wolfe statue has been transformed into a larger, more accessible public space ready to host new cultural events.
The improved viewing platform now has more seating for people to stop and enjoy one of London’s greatest views.
This location is the busiest in the park and this work has futureproofed it for the many visitors we will continue to receive.
The platform has been extended out to create more space for the increasing number we see visiting the viewpoint.
New interpretation across the park unveils the dramatic story of London’s most historic park.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery players, the Trustee Board, the Friends of Greenwich Park, as well as many partners, organisations, contractors, volunteers, trusts, foundations and individual donors.
We’re really excited to welcome everyone back to these new and improved spaces as we come to the end of the Greenwich Park Revealed project.
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ReadA dig with a grand view
Over the past few months, the archaeology team have been working on the Grand Ascent, the slope below the General Wolfe statue.
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Ignatius Sancho was a writer, composer and abolitionist who lived on the edge of Greenwich Park, and became the first black person to vote in Britain.
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ReadFutureproofing Greenwich Park’s historic tree avenues
Futureproofing Greenwich Park’s damaged landscape and historic tree avenues
