Maryon Wilson Park in Charlton, South East London, is a hidden gem that offers a peaceful escape from the city. Part of the historic Maryon Wilson family estate, the park features open grassland, wooded areas, and its own free animal park. Visitors can enjoy a stroll or picnic this spring and summer while exploring the grounds.
Maryon Wilson Animal Park
Within the park lies Maryon Wilson Animal Park, a free attraction home to chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats, pigs, horses, and a deer enclosure. On Wednesdays, the Park Ranger Service offers free public tours at 1pm, starting at the deer pen. Tours are limited to 35 people, so arriving early is recommended. Outside tour times, the park remains quiet for those who prefer to explore independently.
Visitor Reviews
Visitors on TripAdvisor have praised the park as a 'rare gem.' One guest noted the free parking on the main road after certain hours and the variety of animal enclosures. Another highlighted the Wednesday feeding tours as a lovely family activity. A third reviewer described the experience as surreal, with fresh air and autumn colors making it feel like a world away from London.
Local Nature Reserve and Archaeology
Maryon Wilson Park, along with the adjacent Gilbert's Pit, was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2005. Gilbert's Pit is an important archaeological site with one of London's most complete sediment sequences, yielding fossils of plants, sponges, molluscs, fish, and reptiles.
Cinematic History
The park gained fame as the setting for the 1966 cult film Blow Up, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. Starring David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, and Jane Birkin, the film follows a fashion photographer who believes he has captured a murder on film. Blow Up won the Palme d'Or at the 1967 Cannes Film Festival.
Facilities
The park also offers outdoor tennis courts, bookable through the Lawn Tennis Association website. Whether for wildlife, history, or recreation, Maryon Wilson Park provides a unique urban retreat.
