Richmond Park, Royal park in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England.
Richmond Park is a protected park in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, listed as a Grade I park and garden and designated as a National Nature Reserve. It is made up of open grassland, ancient oak woodland, and several ponds spread across the terrain.
Charles I had the land enclosed with a wall in 1637 to use it as a hunting ground, which caused disputes with local people who had previously walked freely across it. In the 18th century, after a long legal battle, the right of public access to the park was established.
Several hundred deer roam freely through the park and can be seen at close range by visitors throughout the year. In autumn, during the rutting season, the male deer gather and call loudly across the open land, drawing many people to watch.
The park has several entry gates, including those at Richmond, Ham, Kingston, and Roehampton, and can be reached on foot, by bike, or by car. Parking is available at each gate but fills up quickly on weekends and sunny days, so arriving early is a good idea.
The view from King Henry's Mound toward the dome of St Paul's Cathedral is protected by law, meaning no new building can block that corridor across London. The sightline runs about 10 miles (16 km) and has been guarded for centuries as part of the city's planning rules.
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