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Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A hidden-away green space and wildlife haven in the middle of urban Greenwich. Comes alive in the summer with brightly coloured insects and birds.
The Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is a park situated along the River Thames in the Greenwich Peninsula in South London. The park reflects the nature of the original marshland on the peninsula. The park provides a haven for many different species of bird, plants and bugs and acts as an important brownfield land to control urban sprawl. The park is a partnership project of Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and now managed by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). The area of the park is 11 hectares and is half aquatic and half terrestrial. Development was completed in 2000 and the park opened to public in 2002. In April 2011 the Trust took on the management of a new site nearby, the Meantime Nursery, with aims to create on vacant development land a resource for the community and for nature conservation. The park is a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade I.
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Since being founded in Greenwich in 2000, beers from the award-winning Meantime Brewery have spread across the country. Still produced in Greenwich, tours of the site are available and include a tasting session. A bar and shop on site mean that you can continue sampling beers after the tour has finished.
The former Millennium Dome has been transformed into a major entertainment complex consisting of a large arena which plays host to a number of world class performers, a cinema which includes the largest screen in the UK, and numerous bars and restaurants. Tickets can be purchased in advance to join tours walking over the top of the dome, providing unique views.
Let off some steam for a couple of hours with laser tag or paintball at an underground Cold War themed bunker in part of industrial Greenwich. Great for kids (or just your inner-kid!). Next to the Thames Barrier - which keeps the city safe from flooding - be sure to go and take a look at this giant structure in the river whilst you're here.
The London Marathon takes place annually, usually on the last Sunday of April. For both wheelchair racers and runners (elite, club and fun - many in fancy dress), it starts from the south side of Greenwich Park, on the common at Blackheath, then routes eastwards towards Charlton and Woolwich before turning west through Greenwich, past the Old Royal Naval College and Maritime Museum, and doing a loop around the Cutty Sark before heading off towards Deptford. Roads are closed. Many pubs and cafes open early, some with live music, serving spectators who line the route to cheer participants along.