Located in leafy Hampton, Bushy Park was originally set up for deer hunting by Henry VIII. Today you’ll be able to enjoy a well-preserved landscape consisting of waterways, gardens, ancient woodland and roaming herds of wild deer.
Bushy Park History
Originally, three different parks were enclosed to separate them from the surrounding agricultural land. They were Bushy Park, Middle Park and Hare Warren plus Home Park at Hampton Court Palace. In 1529, when Henry VIII obtained Hampton Court from Cardinal Wolsey, he modified the parks, turning Home Park and Bushy Park into a deer park in which he hunted.
A magnificent avenue lined with lime trees was established in 1622. Later in the 20th century, it was renamed in the form of Chestnut Avenue when a row of chestnuts was added. Its length is more than a mile. Sir Christopher Wren thought the avenue to be an elegant route towards William and Mary’s home at Hampton Court.
Charles I, who loved water features, built the waterway referred to by the name of Longford River. It is 19-kilometres of canal constructed manually in 1639 and lasted nine months, at the cost of a whopping PS4,000. It is referred to as ‘the King’s gigantic hose pipe that flows through the ground, the water runs along its gentle route through open meadows and grasslands starting from the Diana fountain.
Although it was recently attributed to one master of the 17th-century bronzes, Hubert Le Sueur, the fountain was initially named Arethusa, named after the nymph from Ovid’s Metamorphoses’ poem, Diana saved. Charles, I had the fountain created for his queen, Henrietta Maria. But it wasn’t until 1713 when it was put in its current place on a highly worn-out plinth designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was the central feature of Wren’s elaborate park plan and is accessible from the magnificent Chestnut Avenue.
In 1713, the distinction between the different parks ended, and the whole area in the northern part of Hampton Court became Bushy Park as we know it today.
Today Bushy Park is the second largest of London’s famous royal parks (after Richmond Park), covering 450 hectares.
Bushy Park’s highlights
- The historic Diana Fountain
- The Pheasantry Cafe
- Chestnut Avenue, which was built in 1699 by the world-famous Sir Christopher Wren
- The park is also home to red and fallow deer, which still roam the park as they did back in the days of Henry VIII
- Excellent sports facilities, with highlights including the tennis courts and the open-air heated Hampton swimming pool
- The Woodland Gardens; the exquisite Water Garden, which dazzles with its beautiful collection of pools and other features
Diana the Goddess
The Diana Fountain in Bushy Park represents the Greek Goddess Diana, patron of hunters (not related to Princess Diana or her Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park).
Things to do in Bushy Park with Kids
Close to the Diana fountain, you’ll find the children’s playground. The recommended age is up to 12 years old, but mostly suitable for young children with traditional play equipment like slides, swings and a sandpit. If you want to check out an even better playground, the Magic Garden at Hampton Court is not far away.
While walking around in the woodlands we often use Google Lens to identify plants and trees with the kids. This makes the experience a bit more interesting, and we all get to learn something from it as well!
The areas around Heron Pond and Woodland Gardens are particularly nice, and look out for Red and Fallow deer. Like you’ll notice on signs around the park, you are not allowed to feed the animals, either the deer or the ducks.
Things you might not know about Bushy Park
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy nature, history and culture in London, you might want to check out Bushy Park. It’s the second largest of London’s Royal Parks, and it has a lot of cool features that make it worth a visit. Here are 10 facts about Bushy Park that you might not know:
- Bushy Park has been settled for at least 4,000 years, dating back to the Bronze Age. Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient farming and hunting activities in the area.
- Bushy Park was originally a deer-hunting ground for King Henry VIII, who took over Hampton Court Palace from Cardinal Wolsey in 1529. He named three parks that make up modern-day Bushy Park: Hare Warren, Middle Park and Bushy Park.
- The park is home to two herds of deer, red and fallow, that roam freely around the park. They are descendants of the original deer introduced by Henry VIII. The park also has a large population of anthills, which are protected as a habitat for rare insects.
- The park’s most famous landmark is the Diana Fountain, a bronze statue of the goddess Diana surrounded by four nymphs and four stags. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren as a grand approach to Hampton Court Palace along Chestnut Avenue, a mile-long avenue lined with chestnut trees.
- The park has a variety of gardens and waterways to explore, such as the Upper Lodge Water Gardens, the Woodland Gardens and the Pheasantry Café. You can also see birdlife such as woodpeckers, kingfishers and kestrels in the park.
- The park played an important role in World War II, when it hosted a military base where General Dwight D. Eisenhower planned the D-Day landings. A plaque marks the former site of his office in the park.
- The park is listed at Grade I on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, meaning it is of exceptional historic interest. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it is of national importance for its wildlife and geology.
- The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, except during the deer cull, which usually takes place in November and February. The vehicle gates are open from 8 am to 7 pm. The park is free to enter and has several facilities such as toilets, car parks and bike racks.
- The park is not only popular with locals but also attracts visitors from further afield. It hosts events such as Chestnut Sunday, when people come to see the blossoming of the chestnut trees along Chestnut Avenue, and concerts and festivals in the summer.
- The park is part of an extensive open space network along the Dodder River, which flows through the park and connects it to other parks such as Hampton Court Park and Richmond Park. You can enjoy scenic walks along the river and see wildlife such as otters, herons and kingfishers.
Bushy Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year, whether you want to see the deer, admire the fountain, stroll through the gardens or learn about the history. It’s a park that has something for everyone!
Key Information Bushy Park
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Type: Park
- Borough: Richmond upon Thames
- Area: South West London
- Tube: Hampton Wick Railway Station
- Nearby: Hampton Court
- The Royal Parks Website