Royal Parks said the move was necessary to protect the area after years of erosion
It stands as one of Britain’s most celebrated vantage points – a grassy slope in Greenwich Park with views across the Canary Wharf skyline. The tranquil location beneath the Royal Observatory attracts artists, visitors and even filmmakers, drawn by its unique panorama of the capital.
However, Royal Parks has now shut the Grand Ascent to visitors, in order to preserve the grass. Park officials say the area faces erosion from ‘centuries of footfall’ and the delicate grassland habitat requires protection.
However, while it may be good for the grass, the controversial move to close off most of the hill has sparked a mixture of opinions from locals and visitors.
Sally Wakelin, 75, a Lee Green resident who has been visiting Greenwich Park for decades, condemned the fenced-off area as “ugly”. The former conservator of paintings – who spent 25 years working in the park – remarked: “It’s ugly isn’t it? It should be open. If they don’t want people to go on it, they should do something a little more attractive. I don’t know what the answer is, but it’s not very nice is it, really?”
Identical twins George and James Waddell, both 22, have travelled to the park from Gravesend, Kent, for years – making the journey as they consider it “the best place in the south east”. The graduates, who were relaxing with a drink on the grass at the base of the Grand Ascent, felt it ought to be restored to its previous state.
George said: “It’s not the 1700s, I don’t know what sort of nostalgia element they’re trying to pull from this – but it’s a public space, a green space. Closing it down when there’s not enough green spaces in London is just ridiculous in my opinion.”
History graduate James said: “I used to love sitting on that part, I had some of my best memories there – that’s why we’re sitting here, right next to it. It was amazing, it really was – something I’d remember for the rest of my life.”
Politics graduate George added: “It’s one of the best views in London and now you can’t really see it. It’s a real shame.”
The hill, which leads up to the Royal Observatory, was fenced off to the public as part of a three-year, multi-million pound ‘restoration’ project that concluded last year. The works reinstated ‘giant steps’ on the hill, which were first installed as part of a formal landscape commissioned for King Charles II during the 1600s.
The park is owned by the Crown, with responsibility sitting with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, while the Royal Parks charity oversees the management of the parks on the Government’s behalf.
Freya Champion, 21, from Charlton, was out walking her dog Rocket near the base of the hill. She said: “We used to have picnics here. It’s got a clear view of the City as well, it was quite nice – it’s unfortunate they’ve done that.”
However, Greenwich Park regular David Morling, 72, who was photographing the iconic viewpoint from the summit – which is still open to visitors – said he was in favour of the alterations.
The Lee resident remarked: “I think it’s a good idea they’ve left it like this because it opens up the ground nicely for people to stand here and actually enjoy it. The vegetation is growing as well, because people obviously when they sit they’re going to kill some part of the vegetation, and normal natural growth. I think it’s lovely, it opens up all the way down to the bottom of the actual park, which is great.”
One Facebook post about the issue attracted more than 160 comments. A man asked: “Does anyone know if they plan to ever open up the new steps near the Greenwich Park viewpoint or will it permanently closed off? Used to be a great place to sit and admire London.”
A commenter said: “Could have been a fantastic series of accessible paths with flowers/nature in between. Seats, tables, people enjoying the view. Now we look at inert grass that’s hard to maintain and actually, looks badly constructed.”
Another person added: “I would hope they will give it back to the people once the grass has settled; pity if this area will be kept closed for just the ‘looks’ of it.”
In a statement, Greenwich Park park manager Clare Lanes said: “A recent multi‐million‐pound investment into the park has restored the eroded landscape features of the ‘Grand Ascent, the giant grass steps on Observatory Hill that lead up to the Royal Observatory. This ecologically rich historic landscape is focus of Greenwich Park’s unique formal design, commissioned by Charles II in the 17th century.”
She added: “However, it had become severely damaged after centuries of footfall, and fencing has been in place for at least the last two decades to protect the vulnerable landscape features from disappearing completely. The ascent remains closed to the public to preserve this historic site, which is at a risk of erosion, and to protect its valuable acid grassland habitats, which support pollinators such as ground‐nesting bees and wasps and many species of birds.”
Clare continued: “A new landscaped viewing platform at the famous viewpoint by the General Wolfe statue, alongside a new piazza area, has created more opportunities for visitors to relax and enjoy the incredible view.”
The Mayor of London declined to comment to SWNS.
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