Maryon Park

Maryon Park is an English urban public park located in Charlton in the London Borough of Greenwich. It is situated on the A206 south of the Thames Barrier. There is access from Woolwich Road, Charlton Lane and Thorntree Road.

History

Charlton sandpits, which were originally part of an area known as Hanging Wood, were presented to the London County Council in 1891 by the Maryon-Wilson family, and one of the pits became Maryon Park.

The park was originally wooded and, together with what is now Maryon Wilson Park, was known as Hanging Woods. This was a wild wooded area and formed an ideal retreat for highwaymen who robbed travellers on Shooters Hill and Blackheath. Those who were caught were hanged here – hence the name.

Flora

The park contains grassland, with hawkweed, gorse and broom.

Attractions and facilities

The park includes Cox's Mount, which was used by the Romans as a hill fort, which was discovered in 1915. In the 1850s, Cox's Mount was used to help ships on the nearby River Thames adjust their compasses.

The park has hard tennis courts, a basketball court and a children's play area. The Capital Ring walk and the Green Chain Walk both pass through the park.

Nearby attractions

Next to the park is Gilbert's Pit, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and to the south is the similarly named Maryon Wilson Park.

In popular culture

Although it was not identified by name, the park was the filming location of key scenes in Blowup (1966), a drama......
Read More