Cari S.
Yelp
I have such fond memories of Richmond Park, having spent a good part of my childhood being pushed around here in my buggy. If you are used to London parks, then be prepared for the fact that Richmond Park is vast - the biggest of all of Londons Royal Parks. It measures 2500 acres, and is divided into sections. It has about 5 different gates to get in, at Kingston, Ham, Richmond, Roehampton and Barnes.
There are so many different walks that can be done, and there are plenty of large open spaces which are perfect for a spot of football or makeshift cricket. If you wanted to get a bit more professional, there is a golf club within and riding stables within the park.
Two of my favourite spots in Richmond park - the Isabella Plantation, which is a gated woodland garden, packed full of tropical plants, and rich flora and fauna. It has streams running through it which lead to two large ponds which are full of water lillies. When I was a kid, my favourite thing to do was walk across the pond on the little wooden stepping stones, and occasionally I managed to do it without falling in. (It's not deep, don't worry).
The other spot worth checking out is near Pembroke Lodge near the Richmond exit. The Pembroke Lodge is a great stop for a tea and cake refuel after you have spent an afternoon tramping through the park. But if you have the energy, go a few hundred feet further from the Lodge to a spot called Henry's Mount. On one side, you look down to sweeping views of Surrey, on a clear day, you can see as far as Windsor. On the other side is a clearing of the hedge, with a shape of a circle cut out. There is a telescope provided to show you the view that takes you straight to St Pauls Cathedral in the City. From where you are standing it is exactly 10 miles.