Greenwich Park

When you are visiting London, one of the best places that you would absolutely have to visit is the Greenwich Park. This park is among the royal parks of London and is one of the most famous parks even among the royal park. This park along with the other royal park forms a huge space of expanse that extends for many acres together. These parks make the largest expanse of open space for any city as busy as London in the world.

The Greenwich Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in London city. It is filled with many interesting botanical life that people all over the world come to see. The park remains open from 6 am till dusk all round the year. Traffic is allowed in the park only after 7 am.

This park is one of the first parks that were enclosed back in 1433. The park was earlier used as hunting grounds. It is also the single largest expanse of green space that covers most of south east London. Also the park is in the list of world heritage sites. From the park you can get a very good view of river Thames, Isle of dogs and also a good view of the city of London. The park should defiantly be in your itnary when you are visiting London. If you are visiting London on a package trip, then this park will automatically be present weather or not the other royal parks are present in the list.

The history of this park is very old. It is said that the original owner of the 200 acres of land was the Abbey of St. Peter. However, this land was surrendered to the crown in the year of 1427. Henry the VI gave the land to his uncle Humphrey who was the duke of Gloucester. He constructed a house by the river and also a small castle on the land. The house by the river became the Queen’s house as the years flowed and then the Greenwich hospital. The castle which was of no longer any use became the Royal observatory. Henry the VIIIth introduced deer in the park later on for hunting and it came to be known as the hunting grounds.

Even today a small amount of deer is maintained in the park that serves as reminiscence to the old hunting days. The park was first open to the public in the year of 1763. The park is set to play host for the equestrian events in the summer 2012 Olympics when London will be playing the host to the games. The royal observatory gives majestic views of the Greenwich hospital which has now become the University of the Greenwich. Also there is a splendid view of the city of London from this observation point. This park forms of the main places to visit while you are in London and also the park is easily accessible by London tube or by the bus which ever you prefer.