Favoritepark, Historic nature reserve in Ludwigsburg, Germany

Favoritepark is a 72-hectare woodland reserve north of Ludwigsburg city center with ancient trees and free-roaming wildlife. The park features varied landscapes and several historic structures spread throughout its grounds.

Duke Eberhard Ludwig had the former communal Mönchwald, used for acorn mast, fenced in 1707 to create a pheasantry. Between 1717 and 1723 he built the hunting and pleasure palace Favorite. From 1806 King Friedrich I of Württemberg established a game park with red deer, chamois and deer, whose grazing preserved the open pasture-woodland character.

The Wilhelmsallee, the park's central axis, runs from the main south entrance past Schloss Favorite to the northwest entrance. The park also holds a Gemshütte, the Hirschquelle spring, stone benches, a forester's house with outbuildings, and boundary stones, while parts are laid out as an English landscape garden.

The park opens daily year-round with free entrance, though dogs are not permitted and bicycles face weekend restrictions. Wear sturdy shoes as paths can be uneven in places.

King Friedrich I stocked the park from 1806 with game, chamois and red deer, creating a deer park. The fallow and axis deer likely date from that time; mouflon were added in 1969. Their grazing keeps the undergrowth sparse, preserving the open pasture-woodland character.