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Through Richmond Park

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Walk directions

With your back to the information centre in the car park at Pembroke Lodge turn right to follow the Tamsin Trail in the general direction of Ham Gate. The path veers to the right and later runs close to the road.

At a crossroads leading to Ham Gate, turn left passing to the right of the Hamcross Plantation. At the next crossroads go right to visit the Isabella Plantation, or continue and turn left at the next main junction, before another plantation. Circle the wood clockwise along a wide track. Take the right fork at the next junction and follow the path to the end of the pond.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Mainly tarmac paths

Landscape - Parkland and deer

Dog friendliness - Will love it but keep on lead near deer

Parking - Car park at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park

Toilets en route - Pembroke Lodge

Walks in Greater London Dog-friendly walks in Greater London

About the walk

Richmond Park was once a royal hunting ground and, even today, it retains this upper-crust image. Covering 2,500 acres (1,013ha), it is a wonderful mix of panoramic views, wildlife havens and landscaped plantations, which are worth seeing in all seasons. For the most part, the walk follows the... Tamsin Trail, a 7.5-mile (12.1km) leisure path that runs around the perimeter of the park and that is for the sole use of walkers and cyclists. Born to roam The 750 or so deer are free to wander in the park, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Cars are allowed in certain areas of the park – it's not unusual for drivers to have to wait for a few minutes while a herd of deer crosses the road in front of them – but the best way to observe these beautiful creatures is on foot. There are two types of deer in the park – red and fallow deer. The males and females of red deer are stags and hinds, and of fallow deer are bucks and does. Red deer are indigenous to Britain, but fallow deer were introduced about 1,000 years ago. Norman hunters preferred the fallow for its grace and beauty. Although there are enough plants to provide a nutritional diet for deer, acorns, horse chestnuts and sweet chestnuts also help to build up fat reserves during the winter months. During the rut (from September to November) the stags can often be seen fighting and herding the hinds into small breeding groups. Give them a wide berth if you pass them during the walk and keep your dog on a lead, to avoid alarming them. Culls, although the least favourite part of a gamekeeper's job, are necessary not only to prevent overgrazing but also to help maintain the park's reputation for having some of the best herds in the world. A calling from above If you see a bird that would look more at home in the subtropics than London, it's probably a ring-necked parakeet. These colourful birds, which have very long, pointed wings, were brought into Britain from Africa and India in the 1960s and sold as pets. Those that managed to escape began to breed successfully in the wild, and, despite the colder climate of Britain, their numbers are increasing. Noise from groups can sometimes be heard from the treetops in Richmond Park. They love to eat crab apples in summer and sycamore seeds during the rest of the year. Although they do not represent a problem to other birds, fruit growers may not be so fond of them.

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About the area

Greater London is one of the world’s largest urban areas; 33 boroughs stretching north to Enfield, south to Croydon, east to Havering, west to Hillingdon and with central London at the heart of it all. Greater London contains a multitude of parks and green spaces, from the six Royal Parks to other huge open spaces like Hampstead Heath and Clapham Common.

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

6.75 miles (10.9kms)

Ascent:

164ft (50m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Through Richmond Park

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Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

6.75 miles (10.9kms)

Ascent:

164ft (50m)

Walk directions

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2 of 6

Turn right along a path between the two ponds (Pen Ponds) and continue ahead. Keep ahead at a car park to reach Robin Hood Gate. Deer are often spotted here but their coats give them good camouflage, especially against a background of bracken.

3 of 6

Turn left at Robin Hood Gate. Follow the gravel path of the Tamsin Trail past the Richmond Park Golf Course and on to Roehampton Gate.

4 of 6

Continue ahead to cross a footbridge over Beverley Brook and, after a further 500yds (457m), the path winds to pass to the right of Adam's Pond, which is one of the watering holes used by the deer. Follow the path across the upper end of the park, past Sheen Gate, to Richmond Gate.

5 of 6

Turn left at Richmond Gate and continue along the path to reach Pembroke Lodge and the start of the walk.

6 of 6

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Mainly tarmac paths

Landscape - Parkland and deer

Dog friendliness - Will love it but keep on lead near deer

Parking - Car park at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park

Toilets en route - Pembroke Lodge

Walks in Greater London Dog-friendly walks in Greater London

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

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Get an AA guide

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Been on this walk?

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Walking in Safety

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Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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About the area

Greater London

Through Richmond Park

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Through Richmond Park

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