Royal Parks of London

The Royal Parks of London form a group of eight large parks in the centre of the city, together containing lakes, flower beds, old trees and wide lawns. They hold monuments, fountains and paths that wind through the different sections.

They were once hunting grounds for the kings and were opened to the public from the 19th century onwards. Management passed gradually to the state, while the lands continue to be called royal.

Londoners visit them for morning runs or lunch breaks, and many bring food to sit on the grass. Each park carries a royal name, but today they belong to no one exclusively – they are open spaces for everyone.

Access is free, and they can be reached by underground or bus from almost anywhere in London. Some have ponds for swimming, others only paths for walking, so it is worth checking beforehand what each offers.

In Richmond Park, herds of red deer and fallow deer still roam freely today and can be watched closely while walking. The animals move freely across the meadows and under the trees, without fences or enclosures.