London Runs and Photo Routes – More Views from Inside Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is a former royal hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest single green spaces in south-east London. It was one of the first parks to be enclosed in 1433 and covers 74 hectares (180 acres).  In the 15th century, the park was mostly heathland and probably used for hawking. In the next century, deer were introduced by Henry VIII for hunting, and a small collection of deer is maintained today in an area to the south-east of the park.

The Royal Observatory is on the top of the hill in Greenwich Park and is well worth a visit. The observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II. Greenwich played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation and is best known as the location of the prime meridian. A statue next to the Observatory commemorates General James Wolfe’s victory against the French at Quebec which secured Canada for the British.

The Queen Elizabeth Oak can be found to the east of the Royal Observatory and  may have been growing since the 12th century. It died in the 19th century but was propped up by ivy until it fell over in 1991. Traditional stories tell how Queen Elizabeth I picnicked near the tree and that her father and mother, King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn danced around it.

Greenwich Park provides some majestic views across to the former Greenwich Hospital (the Old Royal Naval College and now the University of Greenwich) and then towards the river, the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, the City of London to the north-west and the O2 (Millennium) Dome to the north. The main viewpoints are from the Royal Observatory and the hill towards the eastern side of the park above the boating lake. There is so much to see and photograph in Greenwich Park at any time of the day and throughout the year.

These London Runs and Photo Routes are a great way of getting to know London, for seeing London’s best sights, and for photographing London.

By doing this London photo early in the morning, you can get to know London quickly and see it at its best – all for free.

For more details  visit www.Londonruns.com or www.londonphotoroutes.co.uk