Greenwich Park Revealed

Reviving the historic landscape 

• Previously at risk of being lost forever, we have re-established the 'Grand Ascent' – giant grass terraces. These were part of a beautiful landscape design commissioned by King Charles II and created in the 1660s and had almost disappeared due to heavy erosion. 
• The declining tree avenues have been re-planted, with more resilient elm and lime trees.
• The slumped ‘parterre’ banks framing the Queen's Field have been expertly re-instated, reviving the original layout.

Improving the natural environment 

• We have planted thousands of shrubs, trees, and pollinator-friendly flowers to create new meadows and boost biodiversity. 
• The Flower Garden Lake has benefited from wildlife-friendly planting schemes that complement 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. 

Putting the community at the heart of the park 

• The park’s dramatic history is played out for visitors through new information boards. These will be accompanied by a new interactive app and a set of audio guides, providing an insight into the park's heritage, nature and wildlife.
• The viewing platform at the General Wolfe statue has been transformed and this once-congested area is now a larger, more accessible piazza-style public space ready to host community cultural events. 
• A new, sustainably built Learning Centre for outdoor education provides a safe and inspiring 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 space. 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.

Events

• We’ve welcomed thousands of you to free events across the park including tai chi and tango classes, archaeology digs, live music, and a youth festival.
• New training and volunteering opportunities have been created including the introduction of a free mobility buggy service to improve accessibility. 
• Over the course of five major archaeological digs we’ve welcomed schools, university students, and community volunteers to reveal to hidden histories of Greenwich Park.

The Greenwich Park Revealed project wouldn’t have been possible without a generous grant from the ‘Parks for People’ programme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Community Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

We would also like to thank the Friends of Greenwich Park, Royal Parks volunteers, and the many donors, partners, organisations and contractors.

Find out more about the project by exploring the pages below.