Description
Cutty Sark Gardens is a landscaped area overlooking the Thames, which is of significance due to its position adjacent to where the famous tea clipper 'Cutty Sark' is moored. It was floated in the dry dock here in 1954, re-rigged and repainted, and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. Until recent refurbishment of the area as a result of a successful HLF bid, another famous vessel, Sir Francis Chichester's 'Gypsy Moth IV' was also moored here. Following a fire, the Cutty Sark was restored and re-opened in 2012.
Practical Information
| Site location | King William Walk, Greenwich |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE10 9BJ |
| What3Words | ///winter.gets.miles |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Greenwich |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Visitor Centre, toilets; |
| Public Transport | DLR: Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich. Rail: Greenwich. Bus: 177, 180, 188 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Cutty Sark was built in 1869 and was still in use as a cargo ship in 1922 when it was bought and restored. It was floated in the dry dock here in 1954, re-rigged and repainted, and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, and now contains a museum. It suffered a severe fire and is undergoing restoration, due to re-open in 2012. Until recently another famous ship was moored here, 'Gipsy Moth IV', the vessel in which Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the world between 27 August 1966 and 28 May 1967. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Naval College (q.v.) with the same sword used by Queen Elizabeth I to knight Francis Drake in the C16th. 'Gipsy Moth IV' was removed when the area was being refurbished as a result of a successful Lottery bid of £12m.
Within the Cutty Sark Gardens site are Greenwich Pier and the southern entrance to Greenwich Foot Tunnel giving access to Island Gardens (q.v.) on the north bank. Also in the gardens is a memorial to Bellot, a young French explorer who joined in the search in 1851/2 for Lady Franklin's husband and while no trace was found of him, a stretch of water was discovered now called Bellot Water. During an expedition in 1853 Bellot died falling under the ice in Wellington Channel. £2,000 was raised by public subscription for a memorial, £500 of which was spent on the memorial obelisk designed by Philip Hardwick, the remainder going to his sisters.
Within the Cutty Sark Gardens site are Greenwich Pier and the southern entrance to Greenwich Foot Tunnel giving access to Island Gardens (q.v.) on the north bank. Also in the gardens is a memorial to Bellot, a young French explorer who joined in the search in 1851/2 for Lady Franklin's husband and while no trace was found of him, a stretch of water was discovered now called Bellot Water. During an expedition in 1853 Bellot died falling under the ice in Wellington Channel. £2,000 was raised by public subscription for a memorial, £500 of which was spent on the memorial obelisk designed by Philip Hardwick, the remainder going to his sisters.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ383779 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | RB Greenwich |
| Site Management | Strategic Planning (Tourist Information Centre) |
| Designers | LB Greenwich Parks Department (1990s) |
| Listed Structures | LBI: 'The Cutty Sark'. LBII: Greenwich foot tunnel entrance building; K6 telephone kiosk |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Greenwich |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | West Greenwich |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
Gallery
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
St Alfege Park is on part of the former burial land of St Alfege, whose churchyard was extended in 1803 but eventually closed for burials in 1853. The west part of the burial ground containing the old mortuary was converted into a public garden in 1889 and its layout remains largely unchanged. The present church is the third on this site, built on the place of St Alfege's martyrdom on 19 April 1012. Due to the proximity of the royal palace at Greenwich, the church has many royal associations. The park is separated by a path from the church and original churchyard, with an entrance gate set into the brick wall. Numerous tombstones and graves are within the garden and around the perimeter.
St Alfege Church is on the site of martyrdom of Alfege, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was kidnapped and later murdered by the Danes in 1012. The first church was built soon after his death. Due to the proximity of the royal palace at Greenwich the church has many royal associations and was where Henry VIII was baptised. Greenwich later lost its prominence; following storm damage in 1710 the church was rebuilt under the Fifty New Churches Act of 1711. Among those buried here are Thomas Tallis (1585) and General James Wolfe, who died in action in Quebec in 1759 and was brought back for burial in the family vault. The former churchyard adjacent to the church has grass and trees, surrounded by cobblestones, and perimeter planting; remaining tombstones are stacked by the church.
The Old Royal Naval College is on the site of what had been a royal palace from 1447, known as Placentia or the Palace of Pleasaunce, a favourite haunt of monarchs until 1688, when William and Mary chose Hampton Court as their palace. At Queen Mary's wish a naval hospital (almshouse) for seamen and their dependants was built here, designed by Christopher Wren. Although incomplete, the first pensioners arrived in 1705 and by 1814 there were over 2,700 residents. Numbers declined and the Hospital closed in 1869, the buildings taken over by the Royal Naval College in 1873 for officers' training. After the Royal Navy left Greenwich in 1998, responsibility for the Old Royal Naval College passed to the Greenwich Foundation. Enclosed by fine railings, the landscaped grounds consist of a series of formal squares and gardens, with lawns crossed by paths, avenues of trees, ornamental fountains and lamp standards; a statue of George II stands in Grand Square.
