What is it?
Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal Parks, occupying some 2,500 acres of grassland, ancient woodland and wide open space. One of its main attractions are the hundreds of red and fallow deer that roam free across it, presumably much happier without having to listen out for the 'View halloo!' of one of Henry VIII's hunting parties.
Within the park's bounds are the Palladian splendour of White Lodge and Pembroke Lodge, childhood home to philosopher Bertrand Russell and now a café. From the park's highest point, there are unobstructed views of St Paul's Cathedral, over 12 miles in the distance.
Why go?
Spend the day in this Zone 4 rural oasis, and you’ll almost feel like you’ve left London – and the twenty-first century – behind.
Don’t miss:
Make a beeline for the Isabella Plantation, an ornamental woodland garden full of clearings, ponds and streams and planted with ferns, exotic trees and shrubs. It’s particularly striking during April and May when the azaleas and rhododendrons put on their annual show.
When to visit:
Daily 24 hours a day, Nov to early Dec, Feb to early Mar 7:30am-8pm
Time Out tip:
I like to grab my bike and set off on the miles of cycle paths that crisscross the park. It’s so huge you can have a decent day’s ride and there are cafes along the way for sustenance.
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