Bushy Park

• Admire the beautiful natural surroundings of Bushy Park, one of London's eight Royal Parks.
• Explore the magnificent gardens and nature trails of this 1,100-acre park.
• Discover the Diana Fountain, a historic Stuart-era statue created for a king.
• Witness amazing wildlife, including wild deer that roam freely through the park.
  

On the outskirts of southwest London lies the beautiful Bushy Park, a lovely Royal Park within walking distance of Hampton Court Palace and Hampton Park. This huge site has plenty of grasslands to walk around, historic architecture, and some amazing wildlife, making it one of the best things to do in South London.

Like many of London's Royal Parks, Bushy Park was created by King Henry VIII in 1529 as a deer-hunting ground just a few minutes away from his palace at Hampton Court. However, the history of the land dates much farther back than Tudor times; archaeological digs have found objects that are believed to be over 4,000 years old, dating back to the Bronze Age.

Perhaps the longest-lasting legacies of Henry VIII in the park are the beautiful deer that roam freely around the grounds. There are around 320 red and fallow deer living in the park. The deer is essential to the park's variety in wildlife because their grazing patterns help to maintain biodiversity. The deer at the park are wild animals, so it's important to keep a safe distance away from them if you see them.

The park is home to two designed gardens. The Upper Lodge Water Gardens were created by the Earl of Halifax in 1710, but over the years became forgotten and covered by shrubs. In 2010, the fruits of a 20-year restoration were realised as the gardens were reopened to the public for the first time in decades. The gardens feature waterfalls, pools, and even a canal.

The second garden in the park is the Waterhouse Woodland Garden. This garden features many attractive trees and plants and is an excellent place for a woodland walk with the kids. There's also a pond, where fish such as perch and bream live, and waterbirds feed and nest. 

The centrepiece of Bushy Park, London, is the Diana Fountain, which sits in the middle of a small lake in the park. It was commissioned by King Charles I in the 1630s as a gift for his wife, Queen Henrietta Maria. In 1713, the statue was moved to its current location by Sir Christopher Wren, the man who also designed St Paul's Cathedral in London. The golden statue shows the Roman goddess Diana surrounded by nymphs and is one of the most important sculptures of the Stuart era.

There's also a children's playground at the park. The playground has swings, a climbing frame, and a large sandpit for kids to play in. It can be found near the Diana Fountain and the entrance to Hampton Court.

For sports fans, Bushy Park is the home of the UK's first-ever Parkrun, which began in 2004. Every Saturday at 9am, hundreds (or even thousands!) of amateur runners come to run the 5 km Bushy Park Parkrun through the park. It's one of the most popular events of its kind and attracts stars such as Mo Farah. Even with such famous attendees, everyone is encouraged to join in the run regardless of ability; it's not competitive and is an enjoyable experience.

What to know before you go

• The park gates are open 24 hours a day, except during the deer cull. This happens in September and November, and the park gates open at 8am and close at dusk during these months.
• Bushy Park has two cafés on site. The Pheasantry Cafe can be found in the Woodland Gardens and serves hot drinks, food, and snacks from 9am - 6pm each day. There's also the refreshment point near the Diana car park, which specialises in snacks, light bites, and drinks.
• There are two toilet facilities at Bushy Park at the Pheasantry Cafe and the Bushy Park playground. They are both accessible for disabled people and have baby changing facilities available. 
• Bushy Park is accessible for wheelchair users and buggies. The pathways through the park are wide and are mostly tarmac or compacted earth.
• The deer at Bushy Park are wild animals and want to protect their young. It is recommended to keep at least a 50-metre distance between you and any deer you encounter, and the park staff say that dogs must be kept under control at all times as not to scare the deer.
  

Getting there

• Bushy Park is a little under an hour's drive from central London and is located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
• For Bushy Park parking, there are four car parks in the park, with the largest one being the Diana car park. Parking is free at Bushy Park.
• Bushy Park is also accessible by public transport. It's easily reached by several different train stations. Teddington, Hampton Wick, and Hampton Court stations are all less than a ten-minute walk away from the park in different directions.
• If you're looking to get the bus to Bushy Park, there are many different bus services available. The 111, 216, 411, 481, X26, and R68 all have stops nearby.

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