Greenwich Hospital has completed a significant £787,000 investment in family welfare at HMNB Devonport with the opening of Greenwich Hospital Garden Village. Four purpose-built lodges and a state-of-the-art play area make up the Garden Village, which is designed to support Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families.
The four lodges provide high-quality, short-term accommodation for eligible service personnel, creating a welcoming space where families can reconnect, spend valuable time together and maintain important relationships amid the challenges of service life. The lodges can be booked for weekends or for a week at a time.
Long periods of separation, operational commitments and the demands of military service can place pressure on family relationships. For personnel based at Devonport, including those serving in submarines undertaking lengthy maintenance periods away, and separated parents seeking time with their children, having access to family friendly accommodation will make a significant difference.
Located within HMNB Devonport, the Greenwich Hospital Garden Village lodges offer a peaceful and family-friendly environment close to welfare facilities and amenities. Each lodge provides modern and comfortable accommodation for families of up to 8 people, with dedicated parking, ensuite facilities, televisions and a play area creating a safe and supportive setting.
The lodges are named after ships and submarines with historic links to Devonport: HMS Ajax, HMS Excalibur, HMS Iron Duke and HMS Urchin, recognising the strong connection between the Naval Base and the Royal Navy’s heritage.
The project builds on similar welfare accommodation initiatives, including Nelson Mews at HMNB Portsmouth, where demand has shown the importance of accessible facilities that support family connection and wellbeing.
Deirdre Mills, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:
“Supporting the wellbeing of service personnel and their families is at the heart of Greenwich Hospital’s work. We know that the demands of service life can create challenges for families, and the Greenwich Hospital Garden Village lodges provide a valuable opportunity for personnel to reconnect with their loved ones, create lasting memories and strengthen relationships.”
HM Naval Base Devonport Commander, Commodore Jane Roe ADC RN, said:
“As a Naval community, we know that our greatest strength lies not just in the professionalism and commitment of our people, but in the support and resilience of their families. The opening of the Greenwich Hospital Garden Village lodges represents a vital investment in the wellbeing of our personnel and their loved ones. These new facilities will make a real difference, providing a welcoming space where families can come together, recharge, and enjoy precious time. We are grateful to Greenwich Hospital for their continued partnership and commitment to supporting our people at Devonport.”
The first families have already benefited from the new accommodation, which was officially opened in June by Cdre Roe.
