A new café and communal space has opened in Greenwich Park and is named after a man who arrived as a slave and became the first black Briton to vote.

The café is named after Charles Ignatius Sancho, who was an impressive figure in British history.

He arrived as a slave from New Granada at around the age of two in 1731 and then became an educated abolitionist, writer, composer, and the first known Black Briton to vote in an election and publish his letters.

His talents grew over time as he wrote plays, composed music, and even wrote a book on music, earning notability in Georgian London.

Once a private residential lodge, the Inatius Sancho Café in Vanbrugh Yard building now nestles in a redeveloped park area and will have great food and community facilities.

Alongside the café, visitors can use accessible toilets, including a unique Changing Places facility, a volunteer hub, and a communal kitchen garden.

The café has freshly baked pastries, cakes, toasted sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, salads, and even ice cream and sundaes are available between 8am and 6pm.

Catering will be offered by Benugo who are already operating at the Pavilion Café and kiosks within Greenwich Park.

News Shopper: The café is named after Charles Ignatius Sancho, who was an impressive figure in British history.The café is named after Charles Ignatius Sancho, who was an impressive figure in British history. (Image: The Royal Parks)

Located in the south east corner of the park, the café was funded by The Royal Parks charity as part of their 'Greenwich Park Revealed' initiative, the Parks for People programme as well as being supported The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Clare Lanes, Greenwich Park Manager, The Royal Parks said: “We are thrilled to be opening this brand-new café and to be able to transform this private yard into a beautiful, landscaped space for park visitors to enjoy, while providing new facilities for our important and valued volunteers.

“We are pleased to use this opportunity to recognise Ignatius Sancho as a key figure from British history and hope that naming the café after him will generate conversations and further discovery of his story – and who knows, maybe inspire a famous local writer in the future.”