Maryon Park
Maryon Park is a hilly, wooded Charlton park on the former Maryon-Wilson estate, with surfaced paths, views towards the Thames, a children’s playground, tennis courts and basketball facilities. It also connects with the Green Chain Walk and the Maryon Park and Gilbert’s Pit nature reserve.
About Maryon Park
Worth knowing
Why visit?
Visit for a hilly park walk with more character and variety than a typical flat urban green. Maryon Park combines wooded slopes, open grass, views towards the Thames, a playground, tennis courts and basketball facilities. It is also a useful starting point for exploring the Green Chain Walk and the adjoining nature-reserve landscape around Gilbert’s Pit. Film enthusiasts may recognise locations associated with Blow-Up, while families can combine a playground visit with a short walk. Allow extra time if you want to explore the slopes, as some paths involve steps or steep gradients.
History & character
Maryon Park was created from former quarry land associated with the Maryon-Wilson family, the historic lords of the manor of Charlton. Sir Spencer Maryon-Wilson presented around 12 acres to the London County Council, and the park opened to the public in 1890. The site had previously been worked for sand, chalk and gravel, leaving the distinctive uneven terrain and higher ground that shape the park today. The wider landscape has deeper archaeological and historic associations. The former Charlton sandpits and nearby Gilbert’s Pit formed part of the ancient Hanging Wood area, and excavations in the wider site identified evidence of early settlement. Maryon Park was later extended, and its paths, slopes and recreational areas became part of Charlton’s network of public open spaces. Its modern cultural history includes use as a filming location for Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 film Blow-Up.
Gallery
Images are shown with source/photographer credit where supplied.
Useful visitor tips
Frequently asked questions
Is Maryon Park free to visit?
Yes. Maryon Park is a public open space and there is no general admission charge. Individual activities, such as use of tennis courts, may be subject to separate booking arrangements, so check the council’s current court information before travelling.
What facilities are available at Maryon Park?
The park has a children’s playground, hard-surface tennis courts, a basketball court, surfaced paths, open grass and wooded areas. It is also connected to the Green Chain Walk and includes a community food-growing area on the former nursery site.
Is Maryon Park suitable for children?
Yes. The park has a children’s playground for all ages, as well as open areas for informal play and walking. Families should note that the site is hilly, and some routes include steps or steep gradients, particularly near Gilbert’s Pit.
Can wheelchair users access Maryon Park?
The majority of the park is wheelchair accessible, with paths surfaced in concrete or bitumen. However, some routes are not suitable for wheelchairs, including steep and stepped paths from Thorntree Road and Gilbert’s Pit. A carefully chosen entrance and route are advisable.
How do I reach Maryon Park by train?
The nearest railway stations are Charlton and Woolwich Dockyard. The council’s management plan gives an approximate walking time of 20 minutes from either station. Bus services also run along Woolwich Road, the A206 beside the northern side of the park.
Are there toilets or parking at Maryon Park?
Current official information reviewed for this listing did not confirm public toilets or a dedicated car park at Maryon Park. Visitors should plan to use public transport or nearby street parking only where legally available, and avoid relying on unverified facilities.
Is Maryon Park part of a longer walking route?
Yes. Maryon Park forms part of the Green Chain Walk and sits beside Gilbert’s Pit and Maryon Wilson Park. It can therefore be visited as part of a longer walk through Charlton and Woolwich, although the terrain includes slopes and some steep sections.