Richmond Park

★ 4.8 (31,439)Free

Richmond Park was enclosed by Charles I in 1637 as a royal hunting ground and today covers nearly 2,500 acres, making it the biggest of London's Royal Parks and a genuine National Nature Reserve. Several hundred deer graze the park in full view of walkers and cyclists, and the elevated Pembroke Lodge area offers a protected sightline all the way to St Paul's Cathedral. Its scale and wildness give it a different character from London's more manicured parks, popular with runners, cyclists, and anyone wanting to feel briefly out of the city.

✨ Reasons to go

1Enclosed by Charles I in 1637 as a royal deer-hunting ground, it remains the largest of London's Royal Parks at nearly 2,500 acres.
2It holds National Nature Reserve status and is home to several hundred free-roaming red and fallow deer.
3A protected sightline from Pembroke Lodge gives an unobstructed view of St Paul's Cathedral over 10 miles away.

💡 Good to know

1Go at dawn or early morning for the best light and fewest crowds
2keep a respectful distance from the deer, especially during autumn rutting season
3bring a bike or good walking shoes, as it's large and paths aren't always well signposted.

⏱️ Typical visit

🕰️ Best time

early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Active — lots of walking

📍

Address

Richmond, UKGoogle Apple

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"One of the most beautiful parks I’ve visited in London. It’s huge, incredibly green, and full of lush woodland and open spaces. Seeing the deer roaming freely was an amazing experience—they come surprisingly close, but they’re calm and peaceful. We also spotted squirrels and lots of beautiful birds, which made the walk even more special. The lake is absolutely stunning and a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. A must-visit if you’re looking to escape the city for a few hours."

— Barby Gamble

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