World-renowned Royal Parks, stunning stretches of
riverside and extravagantly planted public parks and
gardens combine to make Richmond upon Thames
the greenest and most beautiful borough in London.
In addition, it's the only London borough to span
both banks of the Thames.
The jewel in the crown is majestic Richmond Park,
with its gently rolling hills, ancient copses and herds
of free-roaming red and fallow deer, a landscape
which has changed little from the days of Charles
I. From selected vantage points within this largest
of the Royal Parks it is possible to view St Paul's
Cathedral, the London Eye and other iconic central
London landmarks.
The borough boasts over 130 parks, commons
and woodlands which attract 5 million visitors
each year. The Council's 'Park Service continues
to upgrade our open spaces and play areas with
new equipment, park infrastructure and sustainable
planting schemes.
Amongst the many projects that the Parks Team
are currently working on is a new woodland play
area and nature trail in East Sheen Common. A
contract has now been awarded and we hope to
open to the public in the Summer of 2021. This will
become Richmond's 63rd playground and is aimed
at children aged 12 and under. The Parks Team are
also working on several other improvement projects
whereby we are either enhancing the play provision
or installing new outdoor gym equipment. These are
at; Grimwood Road Recreation Ground, Alpha Road
Gardens, Wellesley Road Open Space and Carlisle
Park. In addition we have installed a new sensory
garden at Suffolk Road Recreation Ground, where
we worked in partnership with the Friends Group.
The Terrace Gardens and Gothic Gardens in
Richmond, York House and Radnor Gardens in
Twickenham, and Carlisle Park and Hatherop
in Hampton are especially popular with visitors
where those looking for a more relaxed rural feel
can explore East Sheen Common Woods, Ham
Common or visit "Barney" in Barn Elms. This huge
London Plane has a girth of 8.2m making it one of
the largest in London dating back to 1660s when
the Oriental and American Plane first came into
existence.
The Diamond Jubilee Gardens on Twickenham
Embankment is a popular site for community events
and open cinemas whilst Champions Wharf features
Alexander Pope's Urn with his poetry inscribed in the
surrounding wooden seating, and let's not forget the
play beach with its Viking boat and historic river taxi.
Visitors can discover rare trees, and many different
types of flora fauna in our many sites that are
designed for conservation management. Just
remember to bring the fine weather with you!
Richmond Park
Tel: 0300 061 2200 E: richmond@royalparks.org.uk
Web: royalparks.org.uk
Open: Summer: 7am - dusk; Winter: 7.30am - dusk
Bus: 371 (to Richmond Gate), 65 (to Petersham
Gate), 85 (to Ladderstile Gate - for the
Isabella Plantation)
London's largest Royal Park with 2,500 acres of
hills, woodlands, gardens and grassland. Home to
herds of red and fallow deer, the gated park is a
designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and
Nature Reserve. Adventurers can enjoy a host of
activities such as horse riding and cycling. The park
also houses the magnificent Isabella Plantation and
the gardens at Pembroke Lodge.
Bushy Park
Tel: 0300 061 2250 E: bushy@royalparks.org.uk
Web: royalparks.org.uk
Open all year.
Bus: 111, 216, 411, 481, X26, R68
A stone's throw from Hampton Court Palace,
this Royal Park is a designated Site of Special
Scientific Interest, home to free-roaming deer,
the famous Diana Fountain, woodland gardens, a
large children's play area and the Chestnut Avenue
designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
great outdoors
Barnes CommonAndrew Wilson
--- 10 - visitrichmond.co.uk