5.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.2A landscaped garden and bird sanctuary centred on a lake, with surviving 1930s features and an 18th-century ice well once used by Eltham Palace’s kitchen staff.
The Tarn earns its place for a distinctive combination of lake, bird sanctuary and a tangible link to Eltham Palace: the 18th-century ice well is an unusual historic feature within an accessible urban park.
Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapCourt Road, Eltham, London SE9 5AQ
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The experience
Spend a short visit exploring the landscaped garden and lake, watching for wildfowl, and finding the ice well. A picnic area is noted by the council. Swimming and fishing are not permitted.
Things to do
Watch wildfowl around the lake
Spend time observing wildfowl at the lake in this bird sanctuary. The supplied sources do not identify particular species.
Find the 18th-century ice well
Look for the ice well described by the council as a former ice store for kitchen staff at Eltham Palace.
Take a pause at the picnic area
The council lists a picnic area at the park. Check current facilities before relying on it.
Notice the garden’s retained 1930s features
The council says many original features from the 1930s have been retained. The supplied sources do not identify their exact locations.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
A short lake-and-ice-well visit
- 01
Explore the landscaped garden and take in the lake.
- 02
Watch for wildfowl from the park.
- 03
Find the 18th-century ice well, once used by Eltham Palace’s kitchen staff.
Half day · 2–3 hours
Make a relaxed half day of it
- 01
Explore the garden and lake, allowing time to watch for wildfowl.
- 02
Look for the 18th-century ice well and consider its former use at Eltham Palace.
- 03
Pause at the picnic area; check current arrangements before visiting.
Verified history
The council describes the ice well as an 18th-century store for ice used by kitchen staff at Eltham Palace. Visit Greenwich says The Tarn site was purchased in 1934 and turned into a public park. Its account also connects the grounds with Eltham Palace and the Courtaulds’ time there.
Hidden details
The palace ice well — The 18th-century ice well is a surviving practical link to Eltham Palace’s household: the council says it stored ice for kitchen staff.
A lake with a distinctive green colour — Visit Greenwich attributes the lake’s green colour to algae. The supplied source does not provide further ecological detail.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not give a recommended season or wildlife calendar.
Check current conditions before visiting; specific weather or ground-condition guidance was not supplied.
What to look for
Look for the 18th-century ice well, the lake and its wildfowl, and original features retained from the 1930s.
The story
An 18th-century ice well associated with Eltham Palace; the site became a public park in 1934.
Best time to go
Not specified in the supplied sources; check locally for seasonal wildlife and garden conditions.
No best time of day is established in the supplied sources. Check the council’s current information before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Wildlife lovers · Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 9am-4pm
- Tuesday: 9am-4pm
- Wednesday: 9am-4pm
- Thursday: 9am-4pm
- Friday: 9am-4pm
- Saturday: 9am-4pm
- Sunday: 9am-4pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A public park with wheelchair access. The council advises that children must be supervised because of deep water. Check current access information before visiting.
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Parking
Parking information not established; check before visiting.
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Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Dogs are not permitted in the park, according to Royal Greenwich Council.
Accessibility
The council states that wheelchair access is available. Specific path surfaces and accessible facilities are not established in the supplied sources; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around The Tarn Bird Sanctuary
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
