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and, within the precincts of this noble Greenwich residence, the
marriage of Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves was celebrated.
When Westminster again became the centre of government
the Palace of Placentia, the favourite royal resort up to the time
of James II (1685), became the scene of countless tournaments,
pageants and lavish spectacles. Greenwich in its hey-day and
during one of the most colourful periods in English history, was
the haunt of most eminent people of the time and the great
Elizabethan admirals, statesmen, philosophers, writers, musicians
and courtiers thronged the riverside and splendid palace nestling
at the foot of Greenwich Hill in some 200 acres of beautiful
sward and delightful woodland. Towards the end of this "golden
age" in 1675, on a Warrant of Charles II, the Royal Observatory
was founded and, to the design of Christopher Wren, Flamsteed
House was built on the site of Duke Humphrey's tower.
Following the execution of Charles I the Palace fell into
disrepair but on the restoration of Charles II in 1660 the first
of the four blocks of the present Royal Naval College was
commenced, to the overall plan of Christopher Wren. This group
of imposing and stately buildings, now the Navy's University,
were themselves to become equally as world famous as the original
palace.
Very early in the 18th century Daniel Defoe described Greenwich
as "the most delightful spot of ground in Great Britain" and
in 1738, in a road book of the British Isles, this description was
given: "Greenwich on the Thames, 4 miles east of London Bridge,
a very delightful place." It can still lay claim to that title.
The Borough is well catered for in the way of parks and
open spaces, the largest being Greenwich Park with its historical
associations and surroundings covering an area of 185 aores.
Blackheath, one of London's most famous open spaces, forms the
southern boundary, 89 acres of which are within the Borough,
providing unsurpassed facilities for games, sports and amusements.
Excellent recreation grounds serve the Charlton area for in
addition to the Maryon and Charlton Parks, there is the L.C.C.
Play Centre and Lido with its well-equipped open-air swimming
bath, tennis courts and bowling greens.
In all, public open spaces amount to 11 per cent of the total
area of the Borough, equivalent to approximately five acres per
1,000 of its population.
Areas located near the River Thames are, generally speaking,
industrial but more densely populated than the upper parts of the
Borough. In recent years, however, the commencement of a gradual
movement of people away from the river-side has been witnessed.