What is it?
Greenwich Park has the honour of being the oldest enclosed Royal Park. Formerly a hunting ground for Henry VIII, the park still maintains a vast 183-acre grassland enclosure, which provides an urban sanctuary for deer, foxes and over 70 species of bird.
A setting you have to see to believe, various parts of Greenwich Park are often used as filming locations, so it's not unusual to spot a famous face or two. Films that have been shot there include Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Layer Cake (2004), and Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). Plus, the views from the top of Greenwich Park are pretty spectacular and span across to Canary Wharf, St Paul's Cathedral and beyond. If you don't mind the exercise, then it is well worth the trek.
Why go?
As one of the largest green spaces in south east London, Greenwich Park offers a wide range of facilities and points of interest, including a child-friendly boating lake, six tennis courts, the Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum. Greenwich Park is also home to the impressive Royal Observatory with the Greenwich Meridian Line - representing the prime meridian relative to which world time is calculated (and the distance to every place on Earth is measured).
Don't miss:
The park is home to over 3,000 trees, including the Queen Elizabeth Oak, which dates back to 1290. Rumour has it that under this fine tree, Henry VIII began his romance with Anne Boleyn. Sit under it long enough and maybe you'll find love too?
When to visit:
The pedestrian gate is open daily from 6am - 7pm
Ticket info:
No tickets are needed to enter the park.
Time Out tip:
While you're there, why not grab a bite to eat from the nearby Greenwich Market. There's plenty of food stalls to choose from. Last time I was there I picked up a brownie from Bad Brownie for my journey home.
