About Richmond Park

The largest Royal Park in London covering an area of 2,500 acres is known as Richmond Park. From its elevation there is a continuous view of St Paul's Cathedral, 12 miles away. The diverse scenery of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands placed among ancient trees in wild life, has not changed much over the centuries at Richmond Park although it is surrounded by human habitation. Richmond Park was formally known as Manor of Sheen, The royal association to this park began during the time of Edward (1272 – 1307). The name was transformed to Richmond Park in the period of King Henry VII's dominion, To escape the plague in London in 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace. He then changed the park into a hunting ground for red and fallow deer.

Pembroke Lodge became the home of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell in 1847 and afterwards the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell. It is currently a popular restaurant with spectacular views across the Thames Valley. The peak of the park is King Henry VII's mound which is located inside the public gardens of Pembroke Lodge.  

The Isabella Plantation is a dazzling woodland garden which was formed after World War II from an existing forest. The plantation is organically governed, resulting in a rich flora and fauna. Richmond Park has been selected as a Location of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. It is predominantly a good place to observe birds. Resident species range from redpoll, bullfinch, wood pecker, sparrow hawk and tawny owl. There are water fowl, such as pintail, tufted duck and pochard. Migrating birds include: wood warbler, redstart and whitethroat in spring, blackcap and spotted flycatcher in summer, green sandpiper in autumn and siskin and reed bunting in winter.

Location

Tube/Rail:
Richmond Station - British Rail or District Line (and then catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham)


Bus:
190 Hammersmith - Richmond
391 Hammersmith - Richmond
419 Hammersmith - Richmond
R68 Bushy Park and Richmond

Northside:
33 Hammersmith - Ricmond
337 Richmond - Clapham Junction
485 Richmond - Wandsworth

Southside:
85/N85 Putney - Kingston
265 Putney - Tolworth
K3 Roehampton Plough - Esher

Eastside:
72 Roehampton - East Acton
493 Richmond - Tooting

Westside:
65 Kingston - Ealing Broadway
371 Kingston - Richmond