by Sam Akbay
Green Park
Consisting almost entirely of mature trees the park covers a little over 40 acres. Sitting snugly between Hyde park and St James’s park it is unlike other contemporary London parks. The only flowers are naturalised Narcissus. This really is “The Flowerless Park.”
With no lakes , buildings or playgrounds it is an oasis of pure green. Perfect for that frosty, early morning walk with discarded autumn leaves crunching beneath your feet.
A Floral History
In 1746 Upper St James’s park was officially renamed The Green Park, an open meadow with surprisingly few flowers.
The lack of flora may be due to a feud between Charles II and his Queen Consort, Catherine of Braganza. As the story goes Catherine discovered that Charles had picked fowers from the park for another woman.
Scorned, Catherine ordered all flowers to be pulled from the park and no more to be planted.
History
Originally on London’s outskirts the park was quite dismal and semi-rural, frequented by highway men, thieves and robbers.
By the 18th and 19th Centuries, as London expanded, its popularity grew and many ballooning attemps and public firework displays were hosted there. In 1749 Handel’s Music For The Royal Fireworks was composed for a Great Celebration to be held in The Green Park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNqJ8mED1VE
Darker Times
Reflecting it’s darker side many duels were fought in its grounds. The most notorious taking place in 1730 between William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath and John Hervey, 1st Earl of Bristol. Both survived but Hervey only just.
A Royal Memorial
The Memorial Gardens are home to a vast central monument to Queen Victoria. The monument stands around 25 meters tall and is made from 2,300 tonnes of White Carrara marble.
Victoria majestically poses surrounded by statues representing constancy, courage, charity, victory, truth and motherhood.
Queen Victoria died in 1901 at the age of 81 years.
The Park Today
Still one of the most popular green spaces in London. The park is open all day, all year round.
The closest tube stations are Green Park and Hyde Park Corner
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