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The Well Hall Pleasaunce's history dates back to the 13th century. It is a haven of formal gardens, ponds and woodland. It contained a manor house at the time of Henry V111 and more recently was the home of Railway Children author E Nesbit.

Renovated with a lottery grant in 2002, it holds the Green Flag as a park which is welcoming, safe and well-maintained. The Friends aim to develop and promote the Pleasaunce working with the council. Sign up here to support the group and subscribe to receive regular updates and news of forthcoming events.

See the Overview part of the Garden section above for pictures of this beautiful park.

The Tudor Barn is to re-open soon as a wedding, reception and function venue, in one of the most attractive locations in Greenwich and south east London. The new lessees will also open a cafe and restaurant.

PICTURE EXHIBITION

An exhibition of historic pictures of the Tudor Barn and Well Hall Pleasaunce, donated to the Friends by the Greenwich Heritage Centre.Click here

SUMMER MUSIC

The Pleasaunce will host a series of varied musical events on Sunday afternoons through the summer. They are free and run from 2-4pm.

The attractions include:

July 12: Mottingham Village Concert Band.
Juy 26: The Royals, Indie Alternative Rock band
Aug 2: Blue Meeniez, 60/70s pop covers
Aug 9: Blackheath Conservatoire, variety of easy listening
Aug 16: Nightshift, pop, rock, soul cover songs
Aug 23: The Wranglers, 50/60s pop covers.

FREE FILM SCREENING: THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

A free live screening of the famous film of E Nesbit's 'The Railway Children' will be held on Friday 24 July on Moat Island in the Pleasaunce.

The film will start at 9.30pm; there will be guided walks beforehand at 8 and 8.30pm. Visitors are encouraged to come in themed costume and a prize of The Railway Children book, signed by Jenny Agutter will be awarded.

Bring your own chairs or padded seating.

WELL HALL SUMMER FESTIVAL: SUNDAY AUGUST 30

The biggest event in the Pleasaunce for many years will be held on Sunday August 30. The attractions will include a top-rated ABBA tribute band, Morris dancing, classical opera, folk singing, T'ai Chi, dancing, Punch and Judy, Greenwich Concert Band and much much more for all the family. See SEnine magazine for details.

The event is being organised by the Friends, the Tudor Barn and the Parks and Open Spaces Department in partnership as part of the Parksfest series of concerts.

BEE SKEPS

A new addition to the Pleasaunce's walled garden are some traditionally made bee skeps which are being placed inside the bee boles in the section of wall to to north west of the walled garden.

The boles are the oldest recorded in London; the originals have been blocked up but new ones were reconstructed when the walls were restored in 2002.

The boles would have been used as part of honey production, dating back to the 16th century, when sugar would have been a scarce commodity.

Skeps would have been made from woven wheat straw and brambles. The Friends have commissoned skeps to illustrate the original usage of the boles.

NEW LESSEE FOR TUDOR BARN

A new lessee is expected soon in the Tudor Barn. Greenwich Council is choosing an applicant from those received. The new lessee is expected to open the Barn as a wedding and function venue as well as a daytime cafe.

There is expected to be a period of re-furbishment after the new lessee takes over. For further information email wellhall@hotmail.co.uk and your details can be passed to the new lessee.

NEW HABITATS AND ACCESS: FRIENDS WIN GRANT

The Friends have gained initial approval from the Lottery's Community Spaces fund for £27,000 developments in the Pleasaunce.

There will be:

1. Two new features in the woodland area. A bog garden in the western end, currently a concrete-based hollow and a restored rockery in the eastern end, currently overgrown and densely shaded by conifers.

2. Ramped access from Moat Island to the woodland area. There are currently two steep steps to navigate which makes life difficult for wheelchair users and people with buggies/prams.

TRAIL: ORDER ONE HERE!!!

Order one from the Friends 07894 711765. Full colour glossy. Learn about and see more than 20 things in the Pleasaunce, taking in its history, nature and gardens.