Richmond Park, London, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Richmond Park is the largest of London's Royal Parks, a vast area of grassland, woodland and ponds in the south-west of the city, close to Richmond. It is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and herds of red and fallow deer still roam freely across it.

The story behind it

Charles I enclosed the land in 1637 as a hunting park for the royal court, and a wall was built around it. The deer were kept for hunting, and their descendants are the herds you see today. Public access was later secured, which is why you can still walk in freely.

The park is also known for its ancient trees. English oaks are the most common, and many are several centuries old. You will also come across lime, cedar, beech, birch and hawthorn, along with a few giant sequoias, a species native to California. Dead and fallen wood is deliberately left in place, because it supports beetles, fungi and birds.

What to look for

• Red and fallow deer grazing in the open grassland, often under the oldest oaks, which are gnarled and hollowed with age.
• The mix of tree species along the paths, from huge oaks to cedars and the occasional sequoia, which stands out for its soft, spongy bark.
• Henry VIII's Mound, where a protected sightline runs across London to St Paul's Cathedral. Legend ties the spot to Henry VIII, though the story is hard to prove.
• The Pen Ponds and the Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden that is at its brightest in spring when the azaleas flower.

Tips for your visit

• The park is huge, so give it at least two to three hours, or longer if you want to cross it on foot rather than see a single corner.
• Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for deer and soft light. Check current opening hours for the vehicle gates, as they can change with the season.
• Keep a respectful distance from the deer and never feed them. In autumn, during the rut, the stags can be unpredictable.
• Wear sturdy shoes, as paths can be muddy after rain. A plant identification app such as Seek can help you name the trees you pass.

See it on a quest

Reaching the park on foot is the best way to get a feel for its scale. Elle Silver's Escape: Richmond Park, London takes you through the park and the surrounding area as one route, rather than a single stop. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look closely at the trees, paths and views. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no set time.