The Munich English Garden is a large public park which stretches alongside the River Isar from almost the very center of the city to its north-eastern limits. The English Garden is the largest of its kind in Europe and covers over 3.7 square kilometers and includes the man-made Kleinhesseloher See which was constructed in 1803. The English Garden was initially created in 1789 by the British physicist Sir Benjamin Thompson, and later extended by Baron Reinhard von Werneck who was responsible for the establishment of the lake. Today the established green landscape of the English Garden provide an appealing addition to the cityscape of Munich; and is a popular destination for local and visitors alike offering a little piece of tranquility in the midst of Germany’s third largest city.
The English Gardens provide visitors with roughly 75 kilometres of paths and walkways; the beautiful Kleinhesseloher See where visitors can hire a paddle boat and explore the lake; the hilltop Monopteros Temple which provides excellent views over Munich; the picturesque River Isar which winds its way through the park for almost 5 kilometres; the Japanese Teahouse where visitors can partake in a traditional tea ceremony; the small amphitheatre where during the warmer weather it is possible to enjoy some live entertainment; and the 25 metre high Chinese Tower which boasts a busy 7,000 seat beer garden. The park also provides several places for refreshments including Zum Aumeister in the northern part of the park; Seehaus which stands adjacent to the Kleinhesseloher See, and the Biergarten Hirschau which lies in the southern end of the park. An area known as the Schonfeldwiese, or Schonfeld Meadow, is reserved for visitors who wish to indulge in nude sunbathing.
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