A walk in Richmond Park goes hand in hand with deer spotting. The deer are the main attraction, always have been. ๐ฆ ๐ฆ
Disappointingly, I didn’t see any deer this time. Not sure where they wereย – huddling up somewhere warm maybe – can’t say I blame them, plus the fact that deer are less active in the winter months when food is in shorter supply – they conserve their energy.
On a cold December day, it was pretty quiet in terms of the wildlife, apart from non stop chirps from various birds, ducks on the water, and the ‘one’ squirrel I managed to catch sight of in the distance – it’s just as well I forgot to bring some nuts.
For the time of year I was quite surprised at how many berries were flourishing – all kinds, some looked like blackberries…plenty of food for small animals.
On the plus side, I managed to stretch the legs, get some fresh air and muddy my boots.ย
A good walk works wonders
I came across a collection of quotes that encourage us to go for a walk – including:
“Walking is good for solving problemsโitโs like the feet are little psychiatrists.” Pepper Giardino ๐
Well it does help clear your mind!!
A Walk in Richmond Park
If you’ve been, then you probably know Richmond Park is absolutely huge – so vast that you’d think you were in foreign wildlife reserve out in the wilderness somewhere….it just seems to go on and on.
You think you’ve covered some ground and then look at the map, only to realise you’ve barely edged your way in.
A walk in the park is always a good idea – surely!
Snakes
Apparently there are grass snakes in the park, not that I noticed any – has anyone seen any at Richmond Park?
They’re in the long grasses (wear boots if you’re venturing in).
On a slightly less alarming note – I did see some beautiful tree bark and impressive trunks. If you’ve seen the film Pan’s Labyrinth, there are lots of trees in the park that will make you think of that film!!
Lyme Disease and tick bites
Back to the more alarming stuff – the park website warns us to be aware of ‘ticks’ and Lyme disease (from infected ticks) in case you experience any symptoms after a visit. โ ๏ธย ๐จ
The deer attract ticks.
NHS advice: To reduce the risk of being bitten
- cover your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
- use insect repellent on your clothes and skin โ products containing DEET are best
- stick to paths whenever possible
- wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot and brush off
The Deer
It would have been nice to see some deer, roaming wild and free – I’ve seen a lot of other people’s photographs – beautiful.
The rutting season runs in November. I wonder whether they tend to go off for a well earned rest for a while afterwards.
Apparently it’s not unusual for one stag to have up to 40 hinds, forty!!!
And another random interesting fact: amongst approx 60 species, reindeer are the only species of deer where the females have antlers as well as the males.
Around the Isabella Plantation
A pretty and colourful woodland garden within the park – another world within another world.

One of the many robins out and about that day, this one was just sitting happily on a bench as people walked by – not shy at all.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” โJohn Muir
wetanddustyroads
What a beautiful park – love your photo’s of the trees! It’s true, walking (hiking) does clear your mind … my husband and I have done 2 Camino’s in Spain and Portugal … and walking certainly has a positive effect on your body (and soul ๐).
We’ve just came back from a trip where we’ve done a 23km hiking trail in the mountains on one day … spectacular and I feel energised after spending so much time in nature!
Cherryl
Those hikes sound lovely and yes I agree, very energising, and they do something good for the soul as well, being out in nature.๐๐๐ณ
Sustain | sustain-blog.com
I have walked once in the Richmond Park but not this far. Thank you ๐
Sharon Unfiltered
Richmond and the park is a favourite place of ours and mum and I love getting the ferry back to Kingston ๐ณ
Cherryl
I’d love to try the ferry one day – didn’t know about that, it’s such a huge space! Thanks for reading๐ซ
Sharon Unfiltered
My pleasure and hope you enjoy the ferry one day ๐
usfman
I am curious how accessible Richmond Park is to the London Tube? Great photos
Cherryl
It’s on the District and Circle line on the tube, and a short bus ride from Richmond Station if travelling on public transport – easy enough to get to. Thanks for reading ๐ณ ๐ ๐ฆ
equinoxio21
Never been to Richmond park. had to look it up. A bit far from my usual locations when I go to London. Sounds nice though.
Now grass snakes? I thought there were no snakes in the UK?
Cheers.
Cherryl
I thought the same – and it’s generally true (I’ve never seen a wild snake in the UK yet) – but then suppose I tend to keep out of long grassy type areas lol, they’re probably deeply hidden ๐พ ….I guess you have to be a bit more cautious/aware of them in the tropics ๐ด
equinoxio21
Totally. I am always wary of high grass. And I have stumbled across a few snakes in my life. One of the longest in a forest in the South of the US. Almost stepped on it. Stayed with my foot up in the air and let it pass by… ๐คฃ
Cherryl
Talk about a near miss!! ๐ฌ
equinoxio21
Luck does intervene sometimes.
AroundtheworldAmie
One of my favourite places to walk! Lovely! ๐ฆ
Cherryl
๐๐ณ Thanks for reading.
tidalscribe
It is along time since I have been there, I live too far away now – But Richmond Park was my garden in my first six years.My parents used to take me there as we lived in a flat and in summer I went ‘swimming’ in Pen Ponds.
Cherryl
What a wonderful garden to have had ๐ค ๐ณ, lovely memories๐ซ
diningwithali
I love this place!
artworldblogspot
Lovely pictures and blog ๐
Cherryl
Thank you so much ๐ค
ayesha
so peaceful!
shazza
Looks a fab park for a wander. A real piece of country in the city. ๐