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If you like the fast life then London will not leave you disappointed. But what if you prefer something a bit slower where you can unwind and forget the hustle and bustle of the city?

Well, the wild and beautiful landscape of the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park offers solitude, beauty and much more. Easily accessible – only 10 minutes away from North Greenwich tube station – the park is a real hidden treasure in London. English Partnerships took ownership of the Greenwich Marsh in 1997 and through a regeneration project created the ecology park.

The Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is made up of an inner and an outer lake. The outer lake area is open at all times. The inner lake area is accessible only through the Gatehouse during opening hours. As soon as you walk through the Gatehouse, it will not take long before you forget where you are. In the winter, the park is riveting but it is in the summer that it truly comes alive with beautiful butterflies and other salient wildlife. The park is certainly not one-dimensional; there is a marsh, lakes, streams, a wetland area with wet woodland, and a meadow. With an array of exotic birds and a flourishing wildlife, the park is full of interesting surprises. Whether it is colourful newts or the magnificent swans that gets your attention, there is something there for everyone.

If you would like to get more hands-on and involved, there is a practical workday every Wednesday for adults in the park starting from 10am to 3.30pm where you would work with a small team of volunteers and wardens on a variety of outdoor tasks. There are designated bird hides so you can have a truly unique and intimate view of all the spectacular birds that frequent the reserve without distracting them.

The park is a reassuring breath of fresh air, it’s easy to get to and the fact that it is free makes it that much better. If the park is not enough for you, you can make a day of it and walk along the River Thames where you can take in the extraordinary sights or even go into one of the many pubs for a locally brewed pint.

Address: Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, Thames Path, London SE10 0QZ (Google Map)

Getting there: The nearest tube station is North Greenwich on the Jubilee Line. Outside the entrance to the o2 Arena Dome, the park is only a 10 minute walk away.

Article written by Paula Pennant.