February 2026 Bulletin
The light returns... Snowdrops, mahonia and hellebores lift the spirits in this series of images from Jackie Downey, FoGP Photography Group
Remember that drought we had in the summer? No, we don't either, writes Head Gardener Tom Brown.
We won't be stopped by the rain though - renovation of the Herb Garden has just started. We have had a customised order from the master of herbs, Jekka McVikar, which was collected from Bristol this week.
Rare lavenders, unusual thymes and a whole host of what looks to be a showcase of all the classic favourites found in herb boxes, yet specially selected and grown to display uncommon varieties and cultivars.
Elsewhere in the Park, the conservation and corporate volunteers will be adding bulbs in the green to our existing spring bulb displays.
Don't miss the new plantings in and around the Rose Garden which even in this weather should lift your mood.
With some of the very earliest blossom starting to show, spring is now a reality and soon we will all be wishing for rain once again.
Poems please... and soon
There are only a few weeks left to get your creative hats on and write a poem for our competition.
The Friends are inviting young people to submit poems that celebrate the Park we all love and the deadline for submissions is 23:59 on Saturday, February 28. You could write about your favourite place in Greenwich Park or your favourite memory there.
The competition will be judged by Jack Cooper, poet-in-residence of the Friends of Greenwich Park, and representatives of the Friends’ committee.
- Entries are invited from young poets aged 5-12 and 13-18.
- You may submit one or two poems.
- You must submit your own original unpublished work.
- Winners will be notified in late March 2026.
- Winners in each age category will receive book tokens (1st place = £25, 2nd place = £15, 3rd place = £10), will be invited to read their poems at a Greenwich Park event, and will have their poems shared with the Greenwich Park community through social media, noticeboards, and the Friends of Greenwich Park bulletin.
Now all you have to do is start writing! You can post your entry here.
Fancy volunteering to make winter habitats for hibernating creatures?
The Royal Parks are running a session on March 14 to build hibernacula (winter shelters where dormant animals such as reptiles can hibernate) in the Learning Centre area.
There is an opportunity for a limited number of Friends to participate. The event will take place from between 9am and 9.30am until 2pm. It is possible to come and go during that time frame. If you are interested in participating please contact us at info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
The newly launched ‘Royal Parks Sports and Leisure’ will carry out a short programme of repair works to shelter at the tennis courts in the Park. All bookings should be made via the new Sports and Leisure website here.
by |an Welsby, FoGP Photography Group
Booking is open for the next guided Tree Walk in the Park on Sunday, March 1. The Friends offer the free walks to members and there are two more that day. Nature guide Monika Dunkel will explain how to identify trees with bark, leaves, flowers and fruit. The walks are at 11am and 1pm. They are restricted to adult members with a limited number of places. The walks take place largely in the Flower Garden so apologies, but dogs are not allowed. Each walk will have a waiting list. Book your place here.
Meet at Blackheath Gate at 8:30 am. Binoculars and cameras are recommended if you have them. The bird walk lasts for approximately two hours. You don’t have to be a Friend of Greenwich Park to attend the walk, but we always welcome new members and there are many benefits of being a Friend.
Please note that all walks are subject to weather conditions and may be cancelled by the Park in high winds.
Throughout the year, audiences can expect events, special tours and moments of wonder and reflection inside and around what’s recognised as the jewel of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s greatest Baroque interiors.