Richmond Park London

Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London. Richmond Park covers an area of 2,500 acres and almost three times as large as New York City's Central Park, but smaller than New York's Pelham Bay Park.

From its heights there is an uninterrupted view of St Paul's Cathedral, 12 miles away. The park is famous for its red and fallow deer, which number over six hundred.

There is a protected view of St Paul's Cathedral from King Henry VIII's Mound, and a view of the central London's London Eye, Natwest Tower and 'The Gherkin', appearing to be in close proximity to each other.
Richmond 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 among ancient trees abound in wild life.
The royal connections to this park 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.
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 glorious views across the Thames Valley.

Some facts:
•   The Park contains notable buildings, ten of which, plus the whole wall of the park, are listed buildings.
•   Pembroke Lodge and some associated houses stand in their own garden within the park. Pembroke Lodge was originally a home of 1st Earl Russell, and is now a restaurant.
•   The Royal Ballet School has been based for many years at White Lodge where younger ballet students continue to be trained. It was originally a hunting lodge for George I.
•   There are four other houses, apart from the gate-houses: Thatched House Lodge, Holly Lodge (formerly Bog Lodge), White Ash Lodge and Oak Lodge. Holly Lodge contains a visitors’ centre (bookings only), the Park's administrative headquarters and a base for the Metropolitan Police's Royal Parks Operational Command Unit.
•   King Henry VIII's Mound is the highest point within the park and is located within the public gardens of Pembroke Lodge. It is named after Henry VIII of England.
•   Herds of red and fallow deer roam freely within much of the park.
•   Richmond Park has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve.
Opening hours:
The park is open from 7am in the summer and 7.30am in the winter, and closes at dusk all year round. A document giving specific opening and closing times for the whole year can be downloaded here.

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

Contact address:
Richmond Park Office, Holly Lodge
Richmond Park
Surrey
TW10 5HS
T. +44 (0)20 8948 3209
F. +44 (0)20 8332 2730
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