Inside the main conservatory, Winter Gardens
Statue of reclining Galatea
Bedding displays in the park
Inside the main conservatory, Winter Gardens
Statue of reclining Galatea
Bedding displays in the park
Avery Hill Park, Bexley Road, SE9, is best known for the Avery Hill Winter Gardens.. The Winter Gardens is contained in a set of large conservatories, on the south face of a low hill within the park.
Avery Hill Park, apart from the Winter Gardens, is an area of rather non-descript parkland, with sports facilities, grass and trees.The Winter Gardens were created for the former owner, Colonel North, who also had a large mansion built on the hill. They were intended to provide a garden that provided him with independence from the weather and climate; hence the name.
They are a set of three adjoining conservatories, the middle one being the largest, at nearly 30 meters high. They are intended to provide different climatic zones. At present the most noticeable plants they have are some large specimens of Bougainvillea, and of the Canary Island Date Palm. There is not any great plant interest otherwise in the conservatories, and the maintenance is not up to the level a feature of this scale really requires. Children playing hide and seek are seem to be the main users.Other notable features include a statue of a reclining Galatea, in a pond.
Two mature trees now obstruct the south view from the conservatories.The winter gardens are now part of the grounds of Greenwich University, and though they open to the public at no charge, the opening hours are limited.
Much of the parkland is now used for cricket and football pitches, also a playground, and some buildings.
There are some gardens adjoining the Winter Gardens, and areas for informal relaxation around the boundaries.Avery Hill Park and the winter gardens are the remains of the estate of John North, who became rich as a trader in fertilisers. He had a large house built, together with three large conservatories. The house and surrounding parts of the estate were acquired by the London County Council in 1902. Most of the estate was then opened as park, including some of the gardens.
The buildings, including John North's mansion, were used as a teacher training college. They suffered some bomb damage during World War II, some of which has been repaired. They eventually came into the hands of the modern University of Greenwich.The park is managed by the London Borough of Greenwich. Contact 020 8856 2232. The main body of the park is always open.
The glasshouses (the Winter Gardens) are managed by the University of Greenwich. Opening hours in 2007 are 10 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 4 pm.