This site is a very attractive, restored Victorian garden with many features of value to wildlife. The Tudor Barn and its associated moat date back to 1568. These are the surviving structures of Well Hall, built for Margaret Roper the daughter of Sir Thomas More (chancellor to Henry VIII). The Tudor house was demolished in the first half of the 18th century, when a new house was built. This was subsequently occupied by Edith Nesbit, author of ‘The Railway Children’, although it has also since been demolished. The site was sold to Woolwich Borough Council in 1930 and the gardens were laid out in 1936, and much of this layout remains today. The Tudor Barn is leased as a restaurant and venue. The site retained its Green Flag award in 2020.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Well Hall Pleasaunce
Borough: Greenwich
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 4.01 ha
Description
Wildlife
The site has plenty of mature trees, shrubbery and herbaceous borders, as well as water features, including the medieval moat, several ponds and a stream, providing additional habitats. A wild area on the western side has good tree cover, with grassland containing bluebells and cow parsley beneath.Facilities
Historic features; information; toilet; refreshments; bowling green; toilets; café; restaurant; venue hire (barn); guided history walks; playground
Horse-chestnuts in spring © London Wildlife Trust
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