Gazing across Maryon Park, can you picture highwaymen lurking in its shadows? Maryon Park wasn’t always the tranquil green space we see today. Once part of Hanging Wood, its dense trees and steep slopes offered the perfect hideout for these notorious robbers. They would ambush travelers on nearby Shooters Hill and Blackheath, then disappear into the woods with their spoils. The name “Hanging Wood” likely comes from the Old English word “hangra,” meaning wooded slope, not from any gruesome punishments as some stories suggest. The Maryon-Wilson family gifted this land, formerly Charlton sandpits, to the London County Council in 1891. One of these pits became Maryon Park, designed by JJ Sexby with winding paths that follow the contours of the hill. Today, you can stroll these same paths, enjoying grassland dotted with hawkweed, gorse, and broom. Climb Cox’s Mount, a Roman hill fort rediscovered in 1915. Imagine Roman soldiers stationed here, surveying the landscape. Centuries later, in the 1850s, ships on the Thames used this same vantage point to adjust their compasses. Maryon Park also offers tennis courts, a basketball court, and a children’s play area. You can even follow the Capital Ring walk or Green Chain trail through the park. From highwaymen’s hideout to a family-friendly park, Maryon Park has witnessed a fascinating transformation. As you leave, take a last look at the slopes and imagine the secrets hidden within.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to