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Richmond Park

The 1000 hectares of Richmond Park contains some 650 deer (Red and fallow) which reflect its origins as one of the royal hunting parks.Richmond Park is a site of both national and international importance for wildlife conservation. It is London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve and a Special Area of Conservation.

The Park is a top UK site for ancient trees, particularly oaks, which have great historic and wildlife importance. The trees and associated decaying wood support nationally endangered species of fungi, as well as a remarkable range of nationally scarce invertebrates such as the cardinal click beetle and the stag beetle. Over one thousand species of beetle (more than one quarter of the British list) have been recorded in the Park.

Richmond Park has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. The royal connections to this park probably go back further than any of the others, beginning with Edward (1272-1307). 

Wildlife highlights: Bird life in the Park is hugely varied with around 144 species recorded over the last 10 years and 63 breeding species, including all three native woodpeckers, kestrels, owls and a range of waterfowl. Ring-necked parakeets have rapidly increased in recent years and their raucous cries are now one of the most commonly heard sounds of the Park. Skylark, reed bunting, stonechat and meadow pipit all breed here.

Invertebrates: Records so far include 139 spider species, 546 butterfly and moth species and over 1350 beetle species including one specialist that lives on deer dung. 21 butterfly species have been recorded and more than 525 species of moths.

Butterflies include the small heath, meadow brown and 3 species of skipper. For those with sharp eyesight, purple hairstreak butterflies may also be seen flying about in the canopies of our oak trees.  

Opening hours: Richmond park is open from 7am in the summer and 7.30am in the winter, and closes at dusk all year round. .

Getting there: Tube/Rail: Richmond Station - British Rail or District Line (and then catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham)

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.