Richmond Park

From Freepedia

Royal Parks of London
Bushy Park Green Park Greenwich Park Hyde Park Kensington Gardens Regent's Park Richmond Park St. James's Park

Image:Isabella Plantation - Richmond Park - London - England - 120604.jpg

Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal parks in London, close to Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames and East Sheen.

The park extends to almost 2,500 acres (10 km²) and is Europe's largest urban walled park. Its open unspoilt slopes and woods are enhanced by the herds of deer (both red and fallow) that roam freely around it, and the delightful Isabella Plantation, which hosts a cornucopia of different plants in a green haven. There is also a protected view of St Paul's Cathedral from King Henry VIII's Mound in the park.

Originally agricultural lands used as the Royal deer hunting grounds of Edward I, the park was not enclosed until 1637. Public access to the park was secured in the 18th century after a protracted legal battle. Today, Richmond Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve and a cSAC Special Area of Conservation for the Stag beetle.

The park has roads linking these areas running through it, however these are only open during daylight hours, the speed limit is 20 mph, and no commercial vehicles apart from taxis are allowed. The park is enclosed with a high wall with several gates. The gates open to motor traffic are Sheen Gate, Richmond Gate, Ham Gate, Kingston Gate, and Roehampton Gate. Robin Hood Gate (close to the Robin Hood roundabout on the A3) was closed to motor vehicles in 2003 as part of a traffic reduction trial — the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are presently deciding whether to re-open the gate in line with requests from local councils. Residents near the park are sharply divided on the issue of banning motor traffic from it altogether. The park also has designated bridleways and cycle paths.

The Royal Ballet School was based for many years in the park, at White Lodge where younger ballet students continue to be trained.

The Park contains numerous woods and copses, many created with donations from members of the public, one such area is Bone Copse which was named in 2005.

Richmond Park is also the name of a Parliamentary constituency comprising some of the districts that surround the park — Richmond-upon-Thames, Barnes, Kew, Ham, Petersham, Sheen and parts of Kingston-upon-Thames. The present MP is Susan Kramer.