Is Richmond Park worth it?
Worth itUnderrated · +26London's largest Royal Park: free, 2,500 acres of grassland and oaks with ~600 wild deer
Worth it. 4.8 across 31,742 Google reviews; reviewers consistently say the deer and scale exceed expectations. Complaints are minor (signage, distance).
Hype64How famous and hyped it is
Reality90Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.8 ★ Google · 31,742 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Richmond Park? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 active travelers vote
The 7-mile Tamsin Trail and bike hire make it London's best easy long walk or ride.
Why Reality is 90
Lives up to its fame5/54.8 across 31,742 Google reviews; reviewers consistently say the deer and scale exceed expectations. Complaints are minor (signage, distance).
Value for money5/5Free entry and free car parks for a 2,500-acre deer park with real wildlife.
Can’t get it elsewhere5/5No other place in London lets you walk among hundreds of wild red and fallow deer in open parkland.
Easy to do3/5On the rail/Tube network, but 45–60 min from the centre plus an uphill walk, and highlights are far apart.
What people loved
Wild red and fallow deer roam freely and are easy to spot, often at close rangeFeels genuinely wild and vast: open grassland, ancient oaks and ponds that make you forget you are in LondonFree, with free car parks, toilets and the Pembroke Lodge tea roomsKing Henry's Mound has a protected sightline to St Paul's Cathedral 10 miles awayIsabella Plantation is spectacular in azalea season (April–May)What wore them down
It's a trek: a train out to Richmond then an uphill walk before you're even inside the parkSo big that sights are far apart and signage is thin; people get lost or underestimate distancesRoad traffic and fast road cyclists on the main loop road take the edge off near the gatesLittle shade on the open grassland; bring water and proper shoesParking & getting there
Driving is possibleDriving works: the park has several car parks (listed by Google as free) (Pen Ponds, Pembroke Lodge, Broomfield Hill, Sheen and Roehampton Gates), but vehicle gates only open 7:30am–6:15pm and fill on sunny weekends. Most visitors are better off taking the train to Richmond.
- Pen Ponds Car Parklot · about 7 min walk · ★ 4.9 (33)Price not publishedMap
- Pembroke Lodge (car park beside the lodge, near Richmond Gate)lot · about 23 min walk · ★ 4.6 (3,378)Price not publishedMap
- Vehicle gates open 7:30am–6:15pm only (daylight hours); pedestrian gates 24/7 royalparks.org.uk
- 20 mph speed limit; no through traffic between Richmond Gate and Roehampton Gate at weekends; commercial vehicles barred en.wikipedia.org
Without a car: Train or District line to Richmond, then about 20 min walk up Richmond Hill to Richmond Gate
Driving rules in London
Don't drive in central London: the Congestion Charge, scarce and expensive garages, red routes and residents-only bays make the Tube, buses and walking far better. A car only makes sense for outer day trips such as Windsor, the Harry Potter studios or Hampton Court, and for those the train is usually simpler too.
- Congestion Charge (central zone). Driving in the central London Congestion Charge zone (roughly the West End, Westminster, the City, Southwark/Bankside and Lambeth riverside) costs £18 a day if paid in advance or on the day, or £21 if paid by midnight on the third day after travel. It runs 7am–6pm Monday–Friday and 12pm–6pm on weekends and bank holidays; there is no charge on Christmas Day. There are no toll booths: cameras read your plate. Pay online with TfL, Auto Pay or the TfL Pay to Drive in London app. If you don't pay, the penalty is £180, cut to £90 if paid within 14 days and raised to £270 after 28 days. Rental cars are not exempt; check whether your rental company pays it and adds a fee. tfl.gov.uk
- ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone). The ULEZ covers all London boroughs (not the M25) and runs 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. Vehicles that don't meet the emission standards pay £12.50 a day, on top of the Congestion Charge in the centre. Most recent petrol cars (roughly 2006 onwards) and diesels (roughly 2015 onwards) are compliant, and UK rental cars almost always are. Check your plate on TfL's vehicle checker. tfl.gov.uk
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No booking or ticket; just walk in.
EntryFreeSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
HoursPedestrian gates open 24/7 (except overnight closures during the February and November deer culls); vehicle gates 7:30am–6:15pm (daylight hours)Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailTamsin Trail: just over 7 miles (about 11 km) around the perimeter, gently rolling, shared with cyclists; allow 2.5–3 hours on foot. Shorter walks from Pembroke Lodge to King Henry's Mound and Pen PondsSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
DifficultyEasy: wide gravel paths and grass, a few gentle hills; no technical sectionsSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailheadRichmond Gate (top of Richmond Hill) or Pembroke Lodge; Sheen and Roehampton Gates on the east side. Free summer park bus from Mortlake station (Mon/Wed/Fri, March–November)Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SeasonIsabella Plantation azaleas peak April–May; deer rut September–October; dogs must be on leads 1 May–31 July (birthing season)Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SafetyKeep at least 50 m from the ~600 red and fallow deer at all times; stags are dangerous in the autumn rut and hinds protect calves May–July. Owners of dogs that chase deer can be prosecutedSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Getting thereRichmond station (District line, Overground or South Western Railway from Waterloo), then about 20 min walk up Richmond Hill to Richmond Gate; roughly 45–60 min door to door from Charing CrossSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Time needed2–4 hours; a full lap of the Tamsin Trail plus Pembroke Lodge is a half daySource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 8:45 PM
In their words
“One of the highlights of our visit was seeing more than 70 fallow deer, including some beautiful spotted ones, roaming freely across the park.”
“Seeing the deer roaming freely was an amazing experience—they come surprisingly close, but they’re calm and peaceful.”
“Strongly advise to bring water with you all the time and wear comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking.”
“They could definitely add more signage around around the park though - to point visitors to different spots like pembroke lodge and pen ponds”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
Is Richmond Park free?
Yes. Entry is free and the park's car parks are free.
When is Richmond Park open?
Pedestrian gates are open 24 hours (except overnight during the February and November deer culls); vehicle gates open 7:30am–6:15pm.
How close can you get to the deer in Richmond Park?
The Royal Parks ask visitors to stay at least 50 metres away at all times, especially during the September–October rut and the May–July birthing season.
How do I get to Richmond Park from central London?
Take the District line, Overground or a South Western Railway train from Waterloo to Richmond, then walk about 20 minutes up Richmond Hill to Richmond Gate.
How long is the walk around Richmond Park?
The Tamsin Trail perimeter loop is just over 7 miles (about 11 km); allow 2.5–3 hours.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- The Royal Parks – Richmond Park
- The Royal Parks – Dogs on leads during deer birthing season
- Friends of Richmond Park – Deer rut safety advice
- Wikipedia – Richmond Park
- Google Maps – Richmond Park