Greenwich Park, Bank Holiday Monday
Sun-seekers took advantage of the warm weather on Monday

Greenwich Park will stay open until 9pm from next Monday in a slight easing of the lockdown measures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The park’s closure time has been frozen at 7pm since the crisis began – in normal times the park would now be closing at 9pm.

Greenwich Park on Bank Holiday Monday
Hundreds were enjoying the evening sunshine – and staying apart from others – on bank holiday Monday

Crowds flocked to the park over the warm bank holiday weekend, with hundreds still enjoying the sunshine as workers prepared to close the gates on Monday evening. There was a steady stream of people leaving the park for Blackheath, also busy with sun-seekers, after 7pm.

Wolfe statue behind barriers
The Wolfe statue was fenced off a few weeks ago
People behind police tape on Observatory hill
Some ignored police tape to get a better look at the view from the observatory
People behind police tape on Observatory hill
One for the album…

While most people were staying apart from others, a few broke through police tape and barriers around the Wolfe memorial to take a closer look at the view.

“It’s such a fantastic space that is helping so many of us at this time, and this will mean a little extra enjoyment,” Greenwich Council leader Danny Thorpe, who is one of the trustees of Royal Parks, said on social media.

Rose garden in Greenwich Park
The rose garden is among the areas of the park that have been closed

However, the park will still be closing slightly earlier than usual – normal closing time in June and July would be 9.30pm.

The flower gardens to the east of the park and the rose garden by Rangers House have been closed since the beginning of the crisis, and cars have also been banned – creating more space for people to spread out.

853 is awaiting further comment from Royal Parks on closures of parts of the park.

It was also announced yesterday that there will be limited access to the Old Royal Naval College grounds from 8 June.

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