A Guide to Visiting Green Park

London is home to six royal parks; however, Green Park is considered “the park next door” due to its location that sits between St James’s Park and Hyde Park. In spite of this prominence, Green Park in London, UK, is only 40 acres, which makes it the smallest of all the royal parks. With this being said, it’s certainly the most serene of all London’s royal parks and is often compared to the British countryside.

Green Park provides tourists and locals with a calm space amongst the storm of central London. Though it’s just a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Circus, St James’s Palace, and Buckingham Palace, Green Park is still the ideal space for anyone looking for a relaxing atmosphere.

Where is Green Park in London, United Kingdom?

The Green Park London postcode is W1J, meaning that it’s located within the City of Westminster, Central London.

The History of Green Park

Due to the sophistication of Green Park today, it’s hard to believe that it was once a burial ground for patients of the hospital at St James’s that died of leprosy. Even once the space had been transformed into a royal park in the 18^th century, it was still a hotspot for thieves and highwaymen.

As time progressed, Green Park grew to become the epicentre of various notable events in London. These included royal gun salutes, firework displays, ceremonies, promenades, duels, and even Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks in 1749. Such events indicate the importance of Green Park as a London landmark, which prevails to this day.

Read INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ST JAMES’S PALACE

The Highlights of Green Park

Thanks to Green Park’s picturesque views, it’s no wonder that nature-lovers flock to the area. What’s more, Green Park is also home to a handful of war memorials and historic monuments.

Firstly, Canada Gate is a memorial for Queen Victoria that was built in the 20^th Century, and this signals the nearest entrance to Buckingham Palace. The gates were given their name, as they were a gift from Canada, in celebration of its contribution to the British empire.

The presence of Canada continues in the park by way of the Canada Memorial, which was constructed to commemorate those who served alongside Britain during World War One and Two. The walkway faces Halifax in Nova Scotia, as this is where the bulk of Canadians serving in the wars sailed to Europe.

Canada isn’t the only country that’s honoured in Green Park, with the Memorial Gates’ pillars honouring those from the Caribbean, Africa, and the Indian Sub-Continent who also lost their lives to World War One and Two. On special days, such as Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day, and Commonwealth Day, the bronze urns that sit atop the pillars are lit.

Few days back we published LONDON’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT: TACKLING RISING FUEL COSTS be sure to give it a read.

Top Tips

• Make sure you pop to the loo before visiting Green Park, as the toilets aren’t close by to the park itself, and it’ll set you back 50 pence for every use.
• Late April is the best time to pay Green Park a visit, as it’s this time that the flowers and trees are beginning to bloom.
• Piccadilly Circus is a straightforward 11-minute walk from Green Park.
• When walking from Hyde Park to St James’s Palace or Buckingham Palace, Green Park presents a lovely walking route, which takes roughly 20 minutes to complete.

 Getting to Green Park, Central London

The Green Park London map indicates that the Park can be found at Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1J 9DZ.

When using the Underground, London Green Park station is a two-minute walk away from the park itself.

If you’re visiting via train, the closest you’ll get to a Green Park station in London is Charing Cross, which is a 15-minute walk away.

Last but not least, Green Park can be accessed via bus, by routes 2, 8, 9, 14, 16, 19, 22, 36, 38, 52, 73, 82, 148, and 436.

Plan your trip here.

Paying Green Park a Visit

You should set aside at least one hour to see Green Park in all its glory, especially if you wish to picnic in the park or hire a deckchair. When compared to other royal parks in London, you’ll likely spend less time in Green Park, due to the absence of sports facilities, ponds, and lakes.

One thing that you won’t be short of in Green Park is refreshments, as there are refreshment points at both Canada Gate and Ritz Corner. Here, you’ll be able to purchase snacks, sandwiches, ice cream, and coffee. These stands are open from 9 am to 8 pm in the summer and 10 am to 4 pm in the winter.

As previously mentioned, deckchairs are available for hire from March to October during daylight hours and weather permitting. You can pay £1.60 for one hour, £2.60 for two, £3.60 for three, £4.60 for four, and £8 for all-day usage. Similarly, an all-season ticket, costing £110 (£45 for seniors), entitles you to unlimited deckchair access for the whole season.

Discover Green Park on a Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour

Green Park is the meeting point from which we begin our daily tours. Learn more about our tour information here, and feel free to contact us with any queries or concerns