The Greenwich folly: A new viewing deck over the Peninsula
One of the least publicised openings at Greenwich Peninsula in recent weeks is a “folly” installed by developer Knight Dragon offering a viewing deck over the area located near the O2.
I booked a specific time and day though it wasn’t needed, as nobody asked to see any confirmation. I wandered in and scaled the wooden structure which provdes two viewing decks.
From here a good view of rising towers beside the Cable Car was visible to the east:
Spin around to the north and the Design District is underway:
Artist studios, food courts and market stalls will be located here.
Look west and a vast expanse of car parking dominates:
It seems perverse that 20 years after the O2 (or Millennium Dome) started, with a population now a million higher and housing shortage, so much land is still tarmac.
The threatened gas holder is visible. Based on last night’s council meeting meeting Greenwich Council have given up on attempting to keep it.
Looking south offers the rather wonderful park and recent new-builds.
Visiting the “folly” won’t take too much of your time but on a sunny day offers a great panorama of an area undergoing large-scale change.
The ever changing Canary Wharf skyline is in evidence:
If you want to play it safe rather than wandering along you can book a visit here. Beware though, as despite the planning application stating it’s for five years, one official webpage shows it only open until 28th October whilst bookings beyond are still open.
I hadn’t realised you could book; there’s nothing there to tell you. I work next to it and have only found it open once. Your booking link at least explains that.
I passed this on the bus as I was going to the new shopping outlet. A few people were hanging about but given it was mid-morning on a week day, hardly surprising at the lack of visitors.
Had it been a better day, I would have walked back for a closer look at the structure. Love the giant red door.