91-683: Richmond Park , in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames , is the largest of London's Royal Parks and is of national and international importance for wildlife conservation. It was created by Charles I in the 17th century as a deer park . It is now a national nature reserve , a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation and is included, at Grade I, on Historic England 's Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England . Its landscapes have inspired many famous artists and it has been
182-592: A state visit to Britain. The Petersham Hole was a sink hole caused by subsidence of a sewer which forced the total closure of the A307 road in Petersham in 1979–80. As the hole and subsequent repair work had forced a total closure of this main road between Richmond and Kingston, traffic was diverted through the park and the Richmond, Ham, and Kingston gates remained open throughout the day and night. The park road
273-610: A base for the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) until after the war. During World War II Pembroke Lodge was used as the base for "Phantom" (the GHQ Liaison Regiment ). The Pen Ponds were drained, in order to disguise them as a landmark, and an experimental bomb disposal centre was set up at Killcat Corner, which is between Robin Hood Gate and Roehampton Gate. An anti-aircraft gun site
364-547: A drill ground. Giuseppe Garibaldi , Italian general and politician, visited Lord John Russell at Pembroke Lodge in 1864, as did the Shah of Persia , Naser al-Din Shah Qajar in 1873. He was the first modern Iranian monarch to visit Europe. Edward VII developed the park as a public amenity by opening up almost all the previously fenced woods and making public those gates that were previously private. From 1915 level areas of
455-439: A five-kilometre organised run, takes place every Saturday. There is a children's playground at Petersham Gate. The Friends of Richmond Park (FRP) was founded in 1961 to protect the park. In 1960 the speed limit in the park had been raised from 20 to 30 miles an hour and there were concerns that the roads in the park would be assigned to the main highway system as had recently happened in parts of Hyde Park . In 1969, plans by
546-526: A lake divided in two by a causeway , dug in 1746 and initially referred to as the Canals, which is now a good place to see water birds. Richmond Lodge fell out of use on Caroline's death in 1737 but was brought back into use by her grandson George III as his summer residence from 1764 to 1772, when he switched his summer residence to Kew Palace and had Richmond Lodge demolished. In 1751, Caroline's daughter Princess Amelia became ranger of Richmond Park after
637-757: A large amount of equestrian activity; this includes the Horse Rangers Association and Ham Polo Club . Richmond's swimming pools, Pools on the Park , are located in Old Deer Park close to the town centre. The outdoor pool is open in the summer months only. There is also a heated outdoor pool in Hampton. The Twickenham Museum is a volunteer-run museum opposite St Mary's parish church . The Museum of Richmond , in Richmond's Old Town Hall , close to Richmond Bridge, has displays relating to
728-494: A location for several films and TV series. Richmond Park includes many buildings of architectural or historic interest. The Grade I-listed White Lodge was formerly a royal residence and is now home to the Royal Ballet School . The park's boundary walls and ten other buildings are listed at Grade II, including Pembroke Lodge , the home of 19th-century British Prime Minister Lord John Russell and his grandson,
819-491: A map of 1734, Richmond Park and Richmond Gardens then formed a single unit – the latter was merged with Kew Gardens by George III in the early 19th century. In 1736 the Queen's Ride was cut through existing woodland to create a grand avenue through the park and Bog Gate or Queen's Gate was opened as a private entrance for Caroline to enter the park on her journeys between White Lodge and Richmond Lodge. The same map shows Pen Ponds,
910-461: A pair of handsome wrought iron gates. This is the entrance to Montrose House , one of the most notable houses in Petersham. After a spate of serious accidents on the bend in the road, the neighbours formed a group in the 1850s called Trustees of the Road. The Hon. Algernon Tollemache of Ham House was their leader and they managed to persuade the owner of Montrose House to part with some land to reduce
1001-724: A public appeal for a Ponds and Streams Conservation Programme in which the Friends, the Richmond Park Wildlife Group and Healthy Planet have been working with staff from The Royal Parks to restore some of the streams and ponds in the park. The Friends run a visitor centre near Pembroke Lodge, organise a programme of walks and education activities for young people, and produce a quarterly newsletter. The Friends have published two books, A Guide to Richmond Park and Family Trails in Richmond Park ; profits from
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#17327653433931092-553: A regular venue for live music on Sunday nights, organised by TwickFolk . In 2015, Barnes, London became home to London's largest dedicated children's book event, the Barnes Children's Literature Festival, which is now the second largest in Europe. Richmond upon Thames is twinned with: 51°25′N 0°20′W / 51.417°N 0.333°W / 51.417; -0.333 Petersham, London Petersham
1183-457: A secret test on Pen Ponds, how selenium cells would work in a remotely controlled prototype weapon for use against German Zeppelins . Reporting on this story several years later, in April 1924, The Daily Chronicle reported that the test had been carried out in the presence of Arthur Balfour , Lord Fisher and a staff of experts. Its success led to Matthews receiving a payment of £25,000 from
1274-562: A stampede when it chased a 200-strong herd of deer in the park in March 2021. Kruger apologised and said he would be more careful in future. Cycling : Cycles are available for hire near Roehampton Gate and, at peak times, near Pembroke Lodge. The Tamsin Trail (shared between pedestrians and cyclists) provides a circuit of the park and is almost entirely car-free. Fishing is allowed, by paid permit, on Pen Ponds from mid-June to mid-March. Golf
1365-418: A time. In 2013 a cyclist was successfully prosecuted for speeding at 37 mph in the park. In 2015 a cycling club member was fined for speeding at 41 mph and faced disciplinary action from his cycling club, which uses the park for training. In 2014 and 2015 two men were prosecuted for picking mushrooms in the park. Conservative MP Danny Kruger was fined after his puppy, during a family walk, caused
1456-580: A weekly schedule of plays and musicals, usually given by professional touring companies, and pre- West End shows can sometimes be seen. There is a Christmas and New Year pantomime tradition and many of Britain's greatest music hall and pantomime performers have appeared here. Close to Richmond railway station is the Orange Tree Theatre which was founded in 1971 in a room above the Orange Tree pub . As audience numbers increased there
1547-523: A wide variety of ages, using the converted stables and coach house as educational spaces. Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare in Hampton hosts a free Sunday afternoon Shakespeare exhibition from April to October and a series of summer drama, music and exhibitions. Richmond has two theatres. The Richmond Theatre at the side of Little Green is a Victorian structure designed by Frank Matcham and restored and extended by Carl Toms in 1990. The theatre has
1638-492: Is Roger Hillyer. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape an outbreak of plague in London and turned the area on the hill above Richmond into a park for the hunting of red and fallow deer. It was originally referred to as the king's "New Park" to distinguish it from the existing park in Richmond, which is now known as Old Deer Park . In 1637 he appointed Jerome Weston, 2nd Earl of Portland as keeper of
1729-464: Is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The largest Site of Special Scientific Interest in London, it was designated as an SSSI in 1992, excluding the area of the golf course, Pembroke Lodge Gardens and the Gate Gardens. In its citation, Natural England said: "Richmond Park has been managed as a royal deer park since
1820-490: Is a large youth rugby organisation whilst the Richmond Heavies organise games for more veteran players. Cricket is played in many locations around the borough including Ham Common , Richmond Green and Kew Green. The River Thames flows through the borough and a number of sailing and rowing clubs are located along it. Richmond Canoe Club is situation a short distance up river from Richmond Bridge The borough has
1911-593: Is a village in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on the east of the bend in the River Thames south of Richmond , which it shares with neighbouring Ham . It provides the foreground of the scenic view from Richmond Hill across Petersham Meadows , with Ham House further along the river. Other nearby places include Twickenham , Isleworth , Teddington , Mortlake , and Roehampton . Petersham appears in Domesday Book (1086) as Patricesham . It
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#17327653433932002-659: Is allowed only on main roads, on National Cycle Route 4 through the centre of the park and on the Tamsin Trail (the shared-use pedestrian–cycle path that runs close to the park's perimeter). National Cycle Route 4 crosses the park between Ham Gate in the west and Roehampton Gate in the east, skirting Pen Ponds and White Lodge. It interlinks with the Thames Cycle Route and forms part of the London Cycle Network . The speed limit on this route through
2093-485: Is approximately half parkland, with notable parks including Richmond Park , Bushy Park , Kew Gardens , Old Deer Park and Hampton Court Park . There are over 100 parks and open spaces in the borough and 21 miles (34 km) of river frontage. 140 hectares within the borough are designated as part of the Metropolitan Green Belt . The predominant other land use is residential. Most businesses within
2184-690: Is at the heart of the south London centre of distribution for stag beetle Lucanus cervus , and is a site of national importance for the conservation of the fauna of invertebrates associated with the decaying timber of ancient trees". Since October 1987 the park has also been included, at Grade I, on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England , being described in Historic England 's listing as "A royal deer park with pre C15 origins, imparked by Charles I and improved by subsequent monarchs. A public open space since
2275-530: Is believed to pre-date the Norman conquest of England , as a church at Petersham is mentioned in Domesday Book (1086). All Saints' , on Bute Avenue, was built as a church but was never consecrated. It was built between 1899 and 1909 by Leeds architect John Kelly for Mrs Rachael Warde (née Walker) (1841–1906) as a memorial to her father Samuel Walker and her aunt Ellen Walker. During World War II it
2366-553: Is centred on this borough, which houses the German School London (DSL) and most of the capital's German expatriates. The local authority divides the borough into fourteen loosely bounded neighbourhoods, or "villages". Some of the neighbourhoods have the same name as their associated political ward, but the boundaries are not officially aligned. There is also no direct alignment between these areas and postcode districts, which tend to cover much broader areas, crossing
2457-736: Is connected to central London and Reading by the National Rail services of the South Western Railway . Richmond upon Thames is not very well served by the London Underground compared with other boroughs in West London. Two stations, served by the District line , are located towards the borough's northeastern end: Richmond and Kew Gardens station . Both are also served by London Overground trains on
2548-442: Is hired extensively to the rugby union club Rosslyn Park F.C. . Visiting teams are transferred by bus to and from the park pitches from the club's nearby clubhouse and changing rooms. Running : The Tamsin Trail is a 7.2 miles (11.6 km) trail around the park which is popular with runners. Members of Barnes Runners complete at least one circumnavigation of it on the first and third Sunday of every month. Richmond Park Parkrun ,
2639-624: Is home to Richmond Park , the largest park in London, along with the National Physical Laboratory and The National Archives . The attractions of Kew Gardens , Hampton Court Palace , Twickenham Stadium and the WWT London Wetlands Centre are within its boundaries and draw domestic and international tourism . In 2023, the borough was ranked first in Rightmove 's Happy at Home index, making it
2730-588: Is played at Richmond Park Golf Course , a public facility opened in 1923 by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII ). It has two 18-hole golf courses and practice facilities and is accessed from Chohole Gate. Horse riding : Horses from local stables are ridden in the park. Rugby : A section of the grassland to the north of the Roehampton Gate is maintained and laid out during the winter months for rugby; there are three pitches. At weekends, this area
2821-463: Is the local education authority for the borough. Richmond upon Thames College opened in 1977 and was the first tertiary college in Greater London. The borough adopted a tertiary post-16 provision with virtually all 16-19 studies taking place at this college. This system lasted until 2012 when the council approved the creation of sixth forms in schools. Additionally the council approved
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2912-477: Is the only London borough on both sides of the River Thames . It was created in 1965 when three smaller council areas amalgamated under the London Government Act 1963 . It is governed by Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council . The population is 198,019 and the major communities are Barnes , East Sheen , Mortlake , Kew , Richmond , Twickenham , Teddington and Hampton . The borough
3003-529: The 1948 and 2012 Summer Olympics . Richmond Park is the largest of London's Royal Parks. It is the second-largest park in London (after the 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) Lee Valley Park , whose linear shaped area extends beyond the M25 into Hertfordshire and Essex ) and is Britain's second-largest urban walled park after Sutton Park , Birmingham . Of national and international importance for wildlife conservation, most of Richmond Park (856 hectares; 2115 acres)
3094-621: The London Borough of Hounslow . Prior to the 2024 election, the entirety of the borough north of the Thames had formed the entirety of the Twickenham constituency since 1997 . In 2006, research commissioned by a major mortgage lender found that, on the quantitative statistical indices used, the borough had the best quality of life in London and was in the top quarter of local authorities nationwide. A neighbouring authority in Surrey achieved
3185-523: The London Government Act 1963 , covering the combined area of the former borough of Richmond plus the neighbouring Municipal Borough of Barnes and the Municipal Borough of Twickenham . Barnes and Richmond had both been in Surrey prior to the reforms, whilst Twickenham had been in Middlesex . The area was transferred to Greater London to become one of the 32 London boroughs. The new borough
3276-649: The Minister of Works , Charles Key , was opposed, preferring that the site be eventually returned to its former parkland use. Key's department refurbished and repurposed the camp as an Olympic Village for the 1948 Summer Olympics . The Olympic Village was opened by Lord Burghley with Key making the announcement, in July 1948. After the Olympics, the camp was used by units of the Royal Corps of Signals and then by
3367-567: The North London line , which connects Richmond with inner North London before terminating in Stratford. The southwestern end of the district, encompassing areas such as Twickenham are served instead by suburban railway services. The other stations are: Barnes ; Barnes Bridge ; Fulwell ; Hampton ; Hampton Wick ; Mortlake ; North Sheen ; St Margarets ; Strawberry Hill ; Teddington ; Twickenham and Whitton . Richmond upon Thames
3458-578: The Women's Royal Army Corps following their formation in 1949 as successor to the wartime ATS. Although it had been hoped to clear the camp during the 1950s, it remained in military use and was used to house service families repatriated following the Suez Crisis in 1956. It was not until 1965 that the camp was eventually demolished and reintegrated into the park during the following year. In 1953 President Tito of Yugoslavia stayed at White Lodge during
3549-464: The "happiest place to live in Great Britain"; the first time a London borough has taken the top spot. There had been a borough called Richmond since 1890 when the Municipal Borough of Richmond was created. It was enlarged in 1892 to include Kew , Petersham and North Sheen , and again in 1933 to include Ham . The larger London Borough of Richmond upon Thames was created in 1965 under
3640-537: The Government the very next morning. Despite this large sum changing hands, the Admiralty never used the invention. Between 1916 and 1925 the park housed a South African military war hospital, which was built between Bishop's Pond and Conduit Wood. The hospital closed in 1921 and was demolished in 1925. Richmond Cemetery , just outside the park, contains a section of war graves commemorating 39 soldiers who died at
3731-586: The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames' art collection. This includes a portrait of James Johnston by Thomas Gibson , paintings of Orleans House by Arthur Vickers and several other artists, and the Burton Collection, which includes artwork, personal effects and photographs of the explorer Richard Francis Burton . The gallery is also the site of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames' arts service and provides educational workshops for
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3822-752: The North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World . He lived in a house in River Lane that is now two separate dwellings – Navigator's House (formerly known as Craigmyle Cottage) and Glen Cottage. He died in 1798 and is buried in the churchyard of Petersham Parish Church . The Portland stone monument over his grave, renovated in the 1960s, is now Grade II listed in view of its historical associations. In 1839 Charles Dickens rented Elm Cottage, renamed Elm Lodge, where he wrote Nicholas Nickleby . In 1847 Queen Victoria granted Pembroke Lodge in
3913-556: The Petersham part of Richmond Park to John Russell, 1st Earl Russell , and it became the Russell family home. Lord Russell's grandson, Bertrand Russell , spent some of his childhood there. During World War II the GHQ Liaison Regiment (also known as Phantom) established its regimental headquarters nearby at the Richmond Hill Hotel, with its base (including the officers' mess and billet ) at Pembroke Lodge. In
4004-524: The Richmond and Bushy Parks Forum, comprising 38 local groups of local stakeholder organisations. The forum was formed in September 2010 to consider proposals to bring Richmond Park and Bushy Park – and London's other royal parks – under the control of the Mayor of London through a new Royal Parks Board and to make a joint response. Although welcoming the principles of the new governance arrangements,
4095-711: The River Thames, which flows through the borough. The oars are from the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club , reflecting the fact that the Boat Race between the two universities ends at Mortlake in the borough. London Heathrow Airport is located a short distance west, in the London Borough of Hillingdon . The borough is served by many Transport for London bus routes. The borough
4186-654: The adjoining Civic Centre at 44 York Street. Since 2000, for elections to the London Assembly , the borough forms part of the South West constituency, currently represented by the AM Gareth Roberts . The borough is split between three constituencies . The entire portion of the borough south of the River Thames is included in the Richmond Park constituency , which also contains some of
4277-460: The attractions of Hampton Court Palace , Twickenham Stadium and the WWT London Wetlands Centre that draw domestic and international tourism. The River Thames becomes narrower than at any part of Inner London towards its flow into the borough and becomes non-tidal at Teddington Lock in the borough; its main axis runs south to north, rather than west to east through more than half of the borough. London's German business and expatriate community
4368-692: The best quality of life in that report. Richmond is one of London's wealthiest boroughs on many measures. It has the lowest rates of poverty, child poverty, low pay, child obesity and adults without level 3 qualifications of any London borough, according to a 2017 research project by Trust for London . Demography is a diverse picture as in all of London: each district should be looked at separately and even those do not reflect all neighbourhoods. Whatever generalisations are used, "the fine-grained texture of London poverty" by its minutely localised geography must always be taken into account according to an influential poverty report of 2010. Richmond upon Thames has
4459-424: The blade of the dexter dark blue and that of the sinister light blue. The portcullis was taken from the arms of the Municipal Borough of Richmond ; the swan crest, from the arms of the Municipal Borough of Twickenham ; and the griffin supporters and shield from the arms of the Municipal Borough of Barnes . Red, gold and ermine are the royal livery colours, reflecting Richmond's royal history. The swan represents
4550-408: The books' sales contribute towards the Friends' conservation work. The Friends of Richmond Park has been a charitable organisation since 2009. It has 3,700 members, is run by approximately 300 volunteers and has no staff. Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, former Richmond Park MP Baroness Susan Kramer and broadcaster Clare Balding are patrons of FRP. The chairman, since April 2021,
4641-578: The borough boundaries. There are four post towns based in the borough: Hampton , Richmond , Teddington and Twickenham . Parts of the borough come under the London post town , including Barnes and Mortlake , and there are several other peripheral parts of post towns based in neighbouring boroughs which straddle the administrative boundary. Although most addresses in the borough have TW postcodes , some have SW and KT postcodes. The council meets at York House in Twickenham and has its main offices at
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#17327653433934732-478: The borough consist of retail, property improvement/development and professional services. Parts of the borough, including Barnes , Richmond , St Margarets , Cambridge Park and Marble Hill , some areas of Twickenham and much of East Sheen rival Stanmore Hill and Kenley as the highest house-price districts and neighbourhoods in Outer London . The borough is home to the National Physical Laboratory and
4823-660: The capacity of the East Surrey Regiment 's regimental depot Infantry Training Centre (ITC). As a result, the ITC was better able to meet the demands of training new recruits and called-up militia between early 1940 and August 1941 when the ITC transferred to a facility in Canterbury shared with the Buffs . The camp was subsequently used as a military convalescent depot for up to 2,500 persons after which it continued as
4914-401: The centre of the park, where it is off the main road, is 10 mph (16 km/h). As the park is a national nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, all dog owners are required to keep their dogs under control while in the park. This includes not allowing their dog to disturb other park users or disrupt wildlife. In 2009, after some incidents leading to the death of wildfowl,
5005-570: The creation of a Catholic secondary school for the first time in the borough. The borough has a non-League football club, Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. , who play at Beveree Stadium in Hampton. Twickenham Stadium hosts rugby internationals and the Twickenham Stoop is home to the Harlequins Rugby Team . Richmond Rugby Club are also active and share their grounds with London Scottish F.C. The Richmond Minis
5096-477: The death of Robert Walpole . Immediately afterwards, the Princess caused major public uproar by closing the park to the public, only allowing a few close friends and those with special permits to enter. This continued until 1758, when a local brewer, John Lewis, took the gatekeeper, who had stopped him from entering the park, to court. The court ruled in favour of Lewis, citing the fact that, when Charles I enclosed
5187-450: The early 19th century, Charles Stanhope , styled Lord Petersham, later Earl of Harrington, gave the Petersham name to a type of greatcoat . In 1955 Petersham also gave its name to HMS Petersham , which was a Ham-class minesweeper . Listed buildings include a watchman's box, that also served as a village lock-up and dates from 1787. Petersham Road (part of the A307 ) includes an extremely sharp right-angled bend edged by
5278-467: The forum (in 2011) and the Friends of Richmond Park (in 2012) expressed concerns about the composition of the new board. Richmond Park is the most visited royal park outside central London, with 4.4 million visits in 2014. The park is enclosed by a high wall with several gates. The gates either allow pedestrian and bicycle access only, or allow bicycle, pedestrian and other vehicle access. The gates for motor vehicle access are open only during daylight hours;
5369-497: The history of Richmond, Ham, Petersham and Kew. Its rotating exhibitions , education activities and a programme of events cover the whole of the modern borough. The museum's highlights include 16th-century glass from Richmond Palace and a painting, The Terrace and View from Richmond Hill, Surrey by Dutch draughtsman and painter Leonard Knyff (1650–1722), which is part of the Richmond upon Thames Borough Art Collection. Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham displays material from
5460-507: The hospital; the section is marked by a Cross of Sacrifice and a Grade II listed cenotaph designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens . Faisal I of Iraq and Lebanese politician Salim Ali Salam were photographed visiting the park in 1925. An army camp was established in 1938. It covered 45 acres (18 ha) to the south and east of Thatched House Lodge, extending to the area south of Dann's Pond. It became known as Kingston Gate Camp and expanded
5551-405: The lowest child poverty rates in London at 20% and contains at least one ward with an above-average level (for London) of working-age adults receiving out-of-work benefits but even this borough – reflecting the best result – has two standard poverty indices of sixteen in which it is placed in the worst quarter of boroughs. The borough's history is reflected in the coat of arms , which
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#17327653433935642-408: The main entrances, along with other regulations that govern use of the park. The bridleways are special in that they are for horses (and their riders) only and not open to cyclists, like normal bridleways. The Beverley Brook Walk runs through the park between Roehampton Gate and Robin Hood Gate. The Capital Ring walking route passes through the park from Robin Hood Gate to Petersham Gate. Cycling
5733-466: The mid C19". Richmond Park is located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is close to Richmond , Ham , Petersham , Kingston upon Thames , Wimbledon , Roehampton and East Sheen . The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport manages Richmond Park and the other Royal Parks of London under powers set out in the Crown Lands Act 1851 , which transferred management of
5824-461: The new park for life, with a fee of 12 (old) pence a day, pasture for four horses, and the use of the brushwood – later holders of that office were known as "Ranger" . Charles's decision, also in 1637, to enclose the land was not popular with the local residents, but he did allow pedestrians the right of way. To this day the walls remain, although they have been partially rebuilt and reinforced. Following Charles I's execution , custodianship of
5915-436: The northern wards of the borough of Kingston . Most of the portion of the borough north of the river forms the constituency of Twickenham , which does not contain wards from any other borough. However, since the 2024 general election , the borough's northernmost ward on this side of the Thames, Whitton , has instead been included in the constituency of Brentford and Isleworth , the remainder of which consists of wards from
6006-404: The operation of anti-aircraft gun-laying radar. During the war, Hey discovered that the Sun is a radio source and he investigated radio reflections from meteor trails, and radio noise from cosmic sources. In 1946 Hey's group discovered Cygnus A , later shown to be the first radio galaxy . The Richmond Park installation thus became the first radio observatory in Britain. In addition to use of
6097-417: The park for military purposes, approximately 500 acres (200 ha) of the park was converted to agricultural use during the war. The Russell School (then located within the park's boundary) was destroyed by enemy action in 1943. and Sheen Cottage a year later. John Boyd-Carpenter , MP for Kingston-upon-Thames , proposed using the Kingston Gate Camp to help alleviate the local post-war housing shortage but
6188-479: The park in the 17th century, he allowed the public right of way in the park. Princess Amelia was forced to lift the restrictions. Full right of public access to the park was confirmed by Act of Parliament in 1872. However, people were no longer given the right to remove firewood; this is still the case and helps in preserving the park. Between 1833 and 1842 the Petersham Lodge estate, and then part of Sudbrook Park , were incorporated into Richmond Park. Terrace Walk
6279-419: The park passed to the Corporation of the City of London . It was returned to the restored monarch, Charles II , on his return to London in 1660. In 1719, Caroline of Ansbach and her husband, the future George II of Great Britain , bought Richmond Lodge as a country residence. This building had first been built as a hunting lodge for James I in 1619 and had also been occupied by William III . As shown in
6370-459: The park were marked out for football and cricket pitches. A golf course was developed on the former "Great Paddock" of Richmond Park, an area used for feeding deer for the royal hunt. The tree belt in this part of the park was supplemented by additional planting in 1936. The public golf course was opened in 1923 by Edward, Prince of Wales (who was to become King Edward VIII and, after his abdication , Duke of Windsor). The future king had been born in
6461-445: The park's dogs-on-leads policy was extended. Park users are said to believe that the deer are feeling increasingly threatened by the growing number of dogs using the park and The Royal Parks advises against walking dogs in the park during the deer's birthing season. A mugging at gunpoint in 1854 reputedly led to the establishment of a park police force. Until 2005 the park was policed by the separate Royal Parks Constabulary , but that
6552-593: The park, at White Lodge, in 1894. In 1925, a second public 18-hole course was laid out to the south of the first (towards Robin Hood Gate); it was opened by the Duke of York ( George VI ). In honour of their respective openers, Richmond Park Golf Course 's two courses are named the "Prince's" and the "Duke's". The park played an important role during World War I and was used for cavalry training. On 7 December 1915 English inventor Harry Grindell Matthews demonstrated, in
6643-511: The park. From April to November, a free bus service, calling near Mortlake railway station , runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, stopping at the main car parks and the gate at Isabella Plantation nearest Peg's Pond. The gates open to motor traffic are: Sheen Gate, Richmond Gate, Ham Gate, Kingston Gate, Roehampton Gate and (for access to Richmond Park Golf Course only) Chohole Gate. The park has designated bridleways and cycle paths . These are shown on maps and noticeboards displayed near
6734-629: The parks from the monarch to the government. Day-to-day management of the Royal Parks has been delegated to The Royal Parks , an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Royal Parks' Board sets the strategic direction for the agency. Appointments to the Board are made by the Mayor of London . The Friends of Richmond Park and the Friends of Bushy Park co-chair
6825-434: The philosopher Bertrand Russell . In 2020, Historic England also listed two other features in the park – King Henry's Mound which is possibly a round barrow and another (unnamed) mound which could be a long barrow . Historically the preserve of the monarch , the park is now open for all to use and includes a golf course and other facilities for sport and recreation. It played an important role in both world wars and in
6916-444: The seventeenth century, producing a range of habitats of value to wildlife. In particular, Richmond Park is of importance for its diverse deadwood beetle fauna associated with the ancient trees found throughout the parkland. In addition the park supports the most extensive area of dry acid grassland in Greater London." The park was designated as an SAC in April 2005 because it has "a large number of ancient trees with decaying timber. It
7007-447: The sharpness of the bend. But various dents in the brick wall today reveal that motorists are still taken unawares by it. Adjacent to Montrose House and equally as impressive is Rutland Lodge, built in 1666 for a Lord Mayor of London ; it is Grade II* listed. Another historic house in Petersham is Douglas House , just off the west drive to Ham House . One of its notable inhabitants was Catherine, Duchess of Queensberry . In 1969 it
7098-574: The speed limit is 20 mph (32 km/h). The gates for pedestrians and cyclists are open 24 hours a day except during the deer culls in February and November, when the pedestrian gates are closed between 8:00 pm and 7:30 am. However, since 2020, there has been restricted through traffic in Richmond Park, for example restricted traffic between Richmond Gate and Roehampton Gate at weekends. Apart from taxis, no commercial vehicles are allowed unless they are being used to transact business with residents of
7189-405: The then Greater London Council to assign the park's roads to the national highway were revealed by the Friends and subsequently withdrawn. The speed limit was reduced to 20 miles an hour in 2004. In 2011, the Friends successfully campaigned for the withdrawal of plans for open-air screenings of films in the park. In 2012, the Friends contributed towards the cost of a new Jubilee Pond, and launched
7280-523: Was bought by the Federal Republic of Germany for use as a German school . New buildings have been erected in the grounds, but the original house and stables have been preserved. Petersham is served by only two bus routes: the 65 and 371 , both linking the village with Richmond and Kingston upon Thames . It has only a few bus stops such as Sandy Lane, Sudbrook Lane (The Russell School) and Ham Street and The Dysart. Petersham Parish Church
7371-496: Was created from Richmond Gate to Pembroke Lodge. The Russell School was built near Petersham Gate in 1851. Between 1855 and 1861, new drainage improvements were constructed, including drinking points for deer. In 1867 and 1876 fallow deer from the park were sent to New Zealand to help build up stocks – the first fallow deer introduced to that country. In or around 1870, the Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers were using an area near Bog Gate as
7462-578: Was held by Chertsey Abbey . Its assets were: 4 hides ; 1 church, 5 ploughs , 1 fishery worth 1,000 eels and 1000 lampreys , 3 acres (1.2 ha) of meadow . It rendered £6 10s 0d. Archibald Campbell , later 3rd Duke of Argyll and Earl of Islay, was born at Ham House in 1682. He went on to found the Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh in 1727. The explorer George Vancouver retired to Petersham, where he wrote A Voyage Of Discovery to
7553-556: Was in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames . Following a series of borough boundary changes in 1994 and 1995, these anomalies were corrected and the whole park became part of Richmond upon Thames. In the 2012 Summer Olympics the men's and the women's cycling road races went through the park. London Borough of Richmond upon Thames The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames ( pronunciation ) in southwest London , England, forms part of Outer London and
7644-549: Was inside Sheen Gate for the duration of the war. The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill , visited it on 10 November 1940 and it was featured in a photograph published in Picture Post on 13 December 1941. Associated with the gun site was the research site of the Army Operational Research Group (AORG), located on the polo field beside Sheen Cross, where Stanley Hey researched improvements to
7735-487: Was named 'Richmond upon Thames' rather than just Richmond as the old borough had been called; it is the only London borough to straddle the River Thames . Minor boundary changes have occurred since its creation. The most significant amendments were made in 1994 and 1995, when areas of Richmond Park were transferred from the London Borough of Wandsworth and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames . The borough
7826-423: Was officially granted on 7 May 1966. It is: Ermine a portcullis or within a bordure gules charged with eight fleurs-de-lis or . The crest is: On a wreath argent and gules out of a mural crown gules a swan rousant argent in beak a branch of climbing red roses leaved and entwined about the neck proper. The supporters are: On either side a griffin gules, armed and beaked azure, each supporting an oar proper,
7917-554: Was pressure to find a more accommodating space and, in 1991, the company moved to current premises within a converted primary school. The 172-seat theatre was built specifically as a theatre in the round . It has acquired a national reputation for the quality of its work for staging new plays, and for discovering undeservedly forgotten old plays and neglected classics. Performance group Richmond Opera rehearse regularly at The Vineyard Centre . The Cabbage Patch pub on London Road near Twickenham railway station has, since 1983, been
8008-401: Was reported that police had been given the power to issue £50 on-the-spot fines for littering, cycling outside designated areas and dog fouling offences. In August 2012 a dog owner was ordered to pay £315 after allowing five dogs to chase ducks in the park. Since 2013 commercial dog-walkers have been required to apply for licences to walk dogs in the park, and are allowed to walk only four dogs at
8099-576: Was subsumed into the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit of the Metropolitan Police . The mounted police have been replaced by a patrol team in a four-wheel drive vehicle. In 2015 the Friends of Richmond Park expressed concern about plans to cut the numbers of police in the park to half their level ten years previously, despite an increase in visitor numbers and in incidents of crime. In July 2012 it
8190-491: Was used as an Anti-Aircraft Command post and it has also been used as a recording studio and as a filming location. It is now a private residence. Richmond Golf Club , a private golf club, is situated in the historic Sudbrook Park , adjacent to Richmond Park. The Grade I listed building Sudbrook House, in the park, has been its clubhouse since 1898. Ham and Petersham Cricket Club , whose home matches are played in Ham ,
8281-412: Was widened at Ham Cross near Ham Gate to accommodate temporary traffic lights. About 10 deer a month were killed by traffic while the diversion was in operation. When the present London Borough of Richmond upon Thames was created in 1965, it included the majority, but not the whole, of the park. The eastern tip, including Roehampton Gate, belonged to the London Borough of Wandsworth , and the southern tip
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