Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.

Greenwich Park questions

Was just discussing Greenwich pubs with a colleague, and the subject of the park came up. It was a fairly frequent day out in the early seventies I was a kid living in Dartford, and i used to spend hours paddling about in the boating lake. When I went back a few years ago for the first time in decades, I was amazed at howt the boating lake seemed. My colleague, about 25 years younger than me, said the same thing. Does anybody know if that lake was ever reduced in size, or is this a sort of wagon wheel phenomenon whereby it's just the perception of size that changes rather than the thing itself?

Also, she said she thought there was some law that preserved the view of St Paul's from Greenwich Park. Anyone know if that's true?
«1

Comments

  • Regarding St Paul's, this is correct. There are several protected view points of it across London, including one north east of the General Wolfe statue.
  • There is a protected view to St Pauls, as for the lake, I don't think it's changed, might have been tweaked when it was used for the cross country at London 2012, but no major changes to its size 
  • Thanks all. I suppose I am twice the size I was when I previously saw it, so it might look half as big.
  • Used to do cross country through and around Greenwich Park in late 60’s / early 70’s ... I believe the lake is more or less the same size. 
  • The naval college is split down the middle to allow a view of the river from the Queen’s House, that much I do know. 
  • Same size
    but bigger boats.
  • edited January 2020
    Same size
    but bigger boats.


    Think, this is because they made the film Jaws there.

    https://images.app.goo.gl/LSQJb4NS4MFa27iM6

  • There are some 'sight line' laws in place in London and being able to see St Paul's from various places is one of them.
    Not sure if it's true, but I was told that this is the reason for the shape of the 'Cheesegrater' building (The Leadenhall Building)
  • Your right about the view of St Paul's. I did a project close to St Paul's and due to the height restrictions in place, it took 6 months to agree an additional 18mm build up on the copper coping detail. 

    I know of another project where the view to st Paul's was impeded, the result was either rip  the building down or adapt it. The building in question now has the middle left section missing and now coverted into a garden terrace to allow the continuous view to St Paul's. 
  • Sponsored links:


  • Your right about the view of St Paul's. I did a project close to St Paul's and due to the height restrictions in place, it took 6 months to agree an additional 18mm build up on the copper coping detail. 

    I know of another project where the view to st Paul's was impeded, the result was either rip  the building down or adapt it. The building in question now has the middle left section missing and now coverted into a garden terrace to allow the continuous view to St Paul's. 
    I remember Prince Charles doing his nut when that building went up.....and rightfully so.
  • Can someone tell me about the bomb/shell damage to the Wolfe Statue......was it WW2 damage or IRA?
  • Can someone tell me about the bomb/shell damage to the Wolfe Statue......was it WW2 damage or IRA?
    WW2
  • Can someone tell me about the bomb/shell damage to the Wolfe Statue......was it WW2 damage or IRA?
    Wolfe lived in Greenwich and is buried in a local church. Look closely and you will see the bullet holes in the statue reportedly sustained during World War II from a German Messerschmitt.
  • Thanks guys.
  • There are some 'sight line' laws in place in London and being able to see St Paul's from various places is one of them.
    Not sure if it's true, but I was told that this is the reason for the shape of the 'Cheesegrater' building (The Leadenhall Building)
    They aren't laws as such but protected views which mean you can't get planning permission for a tall  building which would obstruct views of St Pauls (and in a couple of cases Parliament) from particular vistas. 
  • Obviously the view of St Paul's Cathedral from the top of the old East terracing at The Valley was not a protected view.
  • Can someone tell me about the bomb/shell damage to the Wolfe Statue......was it WW2 damage or IRA?
    Wolfe lived in Greenwich and is buried in a local church. Look closely and you will see the bullet holes in the statue reportedly sustained during World War II from a German Messerschmitt.
    Never heard that story about Messerschmitt damage. I was led to believe it was shrapnel ?
  • Serious question for those that would know. Would German fighter aircraft been able to operate that far from France ? 
  • Sponsored links:


  • edited January 2020
    A Messerschmitt 109 certainly could and as far as I know they were often used as escorts for Focke Wulf 190 fighter bombers, like the one that bombed and straffed Sandhurst Road School in Catford.
    No doubt once they reached SE London they were encouraged to do a bit of straffing into the bargain.
  • A Messerschmitt 109 certainly could and as far as I know they were often used as escorts for Focke Wulf 190 fighter bombers, like the one that bombed and straffed Sandhurst Road School in Catford.
    No doubt once they reached SE London they were encouraged to do a bit of straffing into the bargain.
    Evidence of machine gunning can be found on the railway bridge by the Dutch house and Highbridge wharf in Greenwich.
  • edited January 2020
    Boating lake is definitely the same size, but not sure if the donkey walk outside the main gates is. When I was a kid it was about a mile long.

    My grandad also told me that the Wolfe statue holes were caused by German machine gunning...
  • There are some 'sight line' laws in place in London and being able to see St Paul's from various places is one of them.
    Not sure if it's true, but I was told that this is the reason for the shape of the 'Cheesegrater' building (The Leadenhall Building)
    It is true, and it's the same reason that the newer 'Scalpel' building leans away in the opposite direction.


  • Boating lake is definitely the same size, but not sure if the donkey walk outside the main gates is. When I was a kid it was about a mile long.

    My grandad also told me that the Wolfe statue holes were caused by German machine gunning...
    The donkey walk is still exactly the same as ever.
  • Crusty54 said:
    Boating lake is definitely the same size, but not sure if the donkey walk outside the main gates is. When I was a kid it was about a mile long.

    My grandad also told me that the Wolfe statue holes were caused by German machine gunning...
    The donkey walk is still exactly the same as ever.
    Not true - the old one on the left has a bit of a limp now.....
    ;-)
Sign In or Register to comment.

Roland Out Forever!