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London Parks Richmond Park
London Parks Richmond Park
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Richmond Park
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 sanctuary to visitors. You'll have to travel out of town to reach it, but that's no hardship. This southwest corner of London has many attractions and you can reach it by riverbus, which is a very civilised way to travel when the weather's fine.
The Park has changed little over the centuries and although it's surrounded by human habitation, the varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees is bristling with 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 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.
In 1847 Pembroke Lodge became the home of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell and was later the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell. It is now a popular restaurant with exceptional views across the Thames Valley.
The Isabella Plantation is a stunning woodland garden which was created after World War II from an existing woodland, and is organically run, resulting in abundant flora and fauna.
The park is open from 7am in the summer and 7.30 in the winter, and closes at dusk all year round.
The Park has changed little over the centuries and although it's surrounded by human habitation, the varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees is bristling with 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 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.
In 1847 Pembroke Lodge became the home of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell and was later the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell. It is now a popular restaurant with exceptional views across the Thames Valley.
The Isabella Plantation is a stunning woodland garden which was created after World War II from an existing woodland, and is organically run, resulting in abundant flora and fauna.
The park is open from 7am in the summer and 7.30 in the winter, and closes at dusk all year round.
Tube/Rail:
Richmond Station - British Rail or District Line (and then catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham).
