Bushy Park
With over 445 hectares (1,099 acres) of land, Bushy Park is the second largest Royal Park in London and there is an incredible range of wildlife and habitats within its walls. Bushy Park has a distinctive landscape, shaped in part by its history as a royal hunting ground but also by its many ponds and streams. Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely throughout the Park, just as they did when Henry VIII used to hunt here. There are currently about 320 deer and their grazing is essential to maintain the high wildlife value of the Park's grasslands.
Wildlife highlights: Red and fallow deer; sandpipers, herons; three species of native woodpeckers; warblers, finches, tits, redwing thrushes; frogs, toads, newts. There is a small population of water voles and 7 species of bat have been recorded. There is a large population of ring-necked parakeets in and around Bushy Park.
Bushy Park is of national importance for its insects and other invertebrates, with 123 nationally scarce or threatened species recorded so far. In summer, you can enjoy the sight of grassland butterflies like the skippers, the small heath and the beautiful small copper.
Opening hours: The park is open 24 hours for pedestrians, except September and November when opening time is 8am, and closing time is 10:30pm. Vehicle access is from 6:30am to dusk, closing at 7:00pm in winter. During the months of September and November, the park opens at 8am.
Getting there: Train: From Waterloo to Teddington/Hampton Wick/Hampton Court - 5 to 10 minute walk, entering the park through the Sandy Lane Gates.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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