Richmond Park

Richmond Park is one of the most outstanding parks in London. Originally a deer-hunting park, it is still home to hundreds of deer and is the largest Royal Park in London.

The 2,500-acre park is a designated National Nature Reserve with rolling hills, woods, ponds and ancient trees. It is not only the largest Royal Park but is probably the oldest dating back to the realm of Edward I. The land passed into the hands of Henry VII who renamed it Richmond Park. The park became enclosed when Charles I took his court there in 1625 to escape the plague, to this day the walls surrounding the park remain, albeit in a rebuilt and reinforced manner.

It was Charles I who also introduced deer to the park; he ignored the wishes of farmers and residents who laid a claim to the land and instead allowed 2000 deer to roam free about open spaces and woodlands. The 18th Century saw vistas created to exploit the best views of the park, once looking down the grand avenue of Queen's Ride and the other looking out from the high point of King Henry's Mound. From this mound you can today look down across a specially maintained avenue ad relish in an uninterrupted view of St Paul's Cathedral

In more recent years there have been few additions to the park. Sidmouth Wood was added to the park in the 19th century and the Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden, was created after the Second World War and is rich in stunning flowers and greenery. Two other gardens Queen Mother's Copse and Bone Copse are both protected enclosures that were created in memory of the Queen Mother and Bessie Bone respectively.

Buildings of note in the park include Pembroke Lodge, Thatched House Lodge and the Royal Ballet School. These buildings exist in harmony with the roaming deer and other animals living in the park including rabbits, squirrels, stag beetles and ring-necked paraquets.

Many events and sporting activities take place in the park including orienteering, cross-country running, horse riding, golf, cycling, fishing, polo and much more.

The park is open from 7am until dusk in the summer ad 7.30am till dusk in the winter. Find out more about Richmond Park.

How to get there

The closest mainline station is at Richmond.

If travelling by bus the 33, 65, 190, 337, 371, 391, 419, 490, 493, H22, H37, R68 and R70 all serve Richmond.