Wildlife

The largest of London's central parks, covering 142 hectares (350 acres). With over 4,000 trees, a lake (the Serpentine), a meadow, horse rides and plenty more attractions, it's easy to forget you're in the middle of an industrious, modern city.

Henry VIIIth acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536; he and his court were often seen hunting for deer. It remained a private hunting ground until James I came to the throne and permitted limited access. The King appointed a ranger, or keeper, to take charge of the park. It was Charles I who changed the nature of the park completely. He had the Ring (north of the present Serpentine boathouses) created and in 1637, opened the park to the general public.

In 1665, the year of the Great Plague, many citizens of London fled the City to camp on Hyde Park, in the hope of escaping the disease.

Covering 19 hectares (47 acres) Green Park is quite different from its neighbour St James's Park. It is more peaceful, with mature trees and grassland and bordered by Constitution Hill, Piccadilly and Queen's Walk.

The Park's primary role is as a peaceful refuge for people living, working or visiting Central London, and is particularly popular for sunbathing and picnics in fine weather. It is also popular as a healthy walking route to work for commuters. The paths are used extensively by joggers and runners.

Regent's Park covers 166 hectares (410 acres) and includes stunning rose gardens with more than 30,000 roses of 400 varieties.
Regent's Park is the largest grass area for sports in Central London and offers a wide variety of activities, as well as an Open Air Theatre, London Zoo and many cafes and restaurants.

Henry VIII appropriated Regent's Park for use as a hunting ground, which he considered to be an invigorating ride from Whitehall Palace. At that time, the only boundaries were a ditch and a rampart.
Marylebone Park, as it was known, remained a royal chase until 1646. It was John Nash, architect to the crown and friend of the Prince Regent who developed Regent's Park as we know it today.

Richmond Park, at almost 1000 hectares (2500 acres), is the largest Royal Park in London and home to around 650 free roaming deer. The pastoral landscape of hills, woodlands, ponds, gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees offers a peaceful respite to visitors.

The Park has changed little over the centuries and although it is surrounded by human habitation, the varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees abounds in wildlife.
Richmond Park has been designated as a site of special scientific interest and a National Nature Reserve. The royal connections to this park probably go back further than any of the others, beginning with Edward (1272-1307), when the area was known as the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during Henry VII's reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a park for red and fallow deer. His decision, in 1637, to enclose the land was not popular with the local residents, but he did allow pedestrians the right of way. To this day the walls remain, although they have been partially rebuilt and reinforced.