Richmond Park, at almost 1000 hectares (2500 acres), is the largest Royal Park in London and 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 altered to Richmond during Henry VII's reign and is the park is now home to around 650 free roaming deer, as one of the borough's leading tourist attractions and nature trails.

Park Facilities

The Richmond Park has a wide range of facilities on offer, including a playground at Petersham Gate and educational facilities for those with special needs at Holly Lodge. Toilets, including some for people with disabilities, are available. With the selection of food and refreshments from the places listed below, it makes for the perfect tourist attraction and you can easily plan a full day out in Richmond Park.

• Roehampton Café
  Serves a range of snacks, drinks and ice creams, indoor and outdoor seating.
• Pembroke Lodge
  A beautiful Georgian mansion set in 13 acres of landscaped grounds with spectacular view. The Lodge has a banqueting facility for up to 130 people, supported by a car park and disabled access.
• Refreshment Points
  Serving a wide a range of hot and cold snacks and beverages. From bacon rolls to freshly brewed coffee, ice cream to biscotti.

Sport

A varied range of sports are available in Richmond Park, from informal kickabouts to horse-riding to club rugby. At weekends and during holiday periods, the Park frequently attracts for tourists for informal sports. In season, the wooded areas and hill climbs in the Park offer unrivalled opportunities this close to Central London for orienteering and cross-country running. Sporting activities available in the park include:

• Horse Riding
  There are opportunities for horse riding in the park through a number of local stables.
• Cycling
  Richmond Park offers an interesting and varied cycling experience, from the flattest roads to hilly climbs for the more dedicated pedal pusher from April through to September.
• Golf
  Two 18-hole golf courses, together with a 16-bay driving range, a large Pro shop, and clubroom with changing facilities.
• Rugby
  A section of the grassland to the north of the Roehampton Gate is maintained and laid out with 3 adult pitches (winter only).
• Fishing
  Pen Ponds, 16 June - 14 March by paid permit available from Holly Lodge. Concessions for children and pensioners.

Flora & Forna

Richmond Park is a site of both national and international importance for wildlife conservation. It is London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve and a Special Area of Conservation. A selection of the types of wildlife found in the park are as follows:

• Birds
  Bird life in the Park is hugely varied with around 144 species recorded over the last 10 years and 63 breeding species, including all three native woodpeckers, kestrels, owls and a range of waterfowl.
• Deer
  The park has 300 Red Deer and 350 fallow deer. During the autumn the deer 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. The Red 'stags' and Fallow 'bucks' compete for females, the large males roaring, barking and clashing antlers in a spectacular way in an attempt to fight off rivals.
• Fungi
  Over 250 types of fungi have been identified in Richmond Park, including Parasol mushrooms that can grow to the size of a saucer and the nationally rare.
• Invertebrates
  A remarkable range of invertebrates lives in the Park. Records so far include 139 spider species, 546 butterfly and moth species and over 1350 beetle species including one specialist that lives on deer dung. The Park is a particular stronghold for the rare Double Line moth only found in southeast England.
• Mammals
  A range of other mammals lives in the Park, though they may not be as obvious as the deer. These include Fox, Rabbit, Shrew, Mice and Vole. The Park's diverse landscape, abundant insects and plentiful tree roost sites are also a good habitat for bats.
• Trees
  The oldest, largest and most noticeable inhabitants of the Park are its trees. Richmond Park is a leading UK site for ancient trees, particularly oaks, which have great historic and ecological importance. We have about 1200.

Richmond Park in the borough of Richmond has changed little over the centuries and although it is surrounded by human habitation, the varied pastoral landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands set among ancient trees abounds in wild life and offers a truly peaceful day out for visitors.

Opening Hours

Richmond Park is open from 7am in the summer and 7.30 in the winter, and closes at dusk all year round.

Richmond Park

Petersham Road
Richmond
Surrey
TW10 5HS

0300 061 2000 

Mention The bestofrichmond
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Richmond Park - one of Richmond borough's
finest tourist attractions.

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