Richmond Park – London August 2023

Richmond Park was another place I visited on my little break to London, and I hadn’t visited here for a while, either. It was a lovely sunny day, luckily, after the monsoon conditions of the previous day.

Anyone who is unfamiliar with London will probably assume that the city is a huge built-up area, jam packed with traffic and tourists, which it is in part, but there are many green spaces to explore and unwind in like St James’ Park, Hyde Park, Battersea Park, and Richmond Park. Richmond Park is just a short journey out of the centre, residing by the Thames and spanning over 2,500 acres. The park has over a dozen woods, a bird sanctuary, water areas, and numerous wildlife including the famous Richmond red and fallow deer that roam freely across the parkland.

The park was originally created by Charles I in 1637 to enable him to hunt deer. Looking out across the abundant foliage is the White lodge which has been owned by many princes and princesses over the years but is now home to the Royal Ballet School. So, if you want to get a good walk in and unwind for a while, Richmond Park is a great place to visit – you can even take a picnic if the weather is good!

Prior to my long walk in the park amongst the deer and screeching green parakeets, I walked around the town of Richmond and down to the river where we found a great restaurant for some brunch. This was a lovely restaurant on a boat on the river: The Peggy Jean Riverside Green. This was my first trip to this historic and unique dining experience, and it certainly won’t be my last!

The Peggy Jean is a restored Jesus College barge that offers fantastic views of the Thames, Richmond Bridge, and Richmond Riverside. This charming London boat also has a touch of Australian charm and is open all day from 9 am offering a great choice of food – and it’s another dog-friendly establishment for those who don’t want to leave their furry companion behind. Dog treats are also available on request!