Bushy Park is a deer park. Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely throughout the park, just as they did when Henry VIII used to hunt here.
There are currently about 320 deer and their grazing is essential to maintain the high wildlife value of the park's grasslands. Unlike cutting, grazing creates more variation in structure and plant diversity and does not damage the anthills, which add further diversity and character to the grassland.
The herds are kept out of the Woodland Gardens and other protected plantations in order to protect the trees and shrubs there. The Red Deer are the largest mammal native to the British Isles and in the summer their coats are glossy red. Fallow deer, introduced by the Romans, are smaller and their summer coats, usually spotted, vary from a cream to darkish brown colour.
During the autumn the deer 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. The Red stags and Fallow bucks compete for females (known as hinds and does respectively). At this time, the large males roar, bark and clash antlers in a spectacular way in an attempt to fight off rivals and attract as many females as possible. The young are born May - July and are hidden by their mothers amongst the bracken and long grass. The young are very vulnerable at this time and their mothers, being sensitive to disturbance, will defend their babies.
Please keep at least 50 metres away from the deer and be aware of your surroundings so that you do not come between two rutting stags or a mother and her calf.
Do not touch, feed or photograph the deer at close range.
Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Bushy Park is a deer park with herds of wild deer roaming freely.
Recently, the number of owners choosing to walk their dogs in Bushy Park has increased considerably.
Deer can feel threatened by dogs even over long distances and when the dog is not behaving in a provocative manner.
This is particularly during the rutting (September - October) and the birthing (May - July) seasons. We recommend walking your dog outside the park at these times.
This year The Royal Parks has received reports of two incidents in Bushy Park where dogs sustained injuries, one of which was fatal.
If you choose, at your own risk, to walk your dog in the park at these times, it is advisable to keep your dog on a lead and consider an alternative route, such as following the wall line of the park where you are close to exit gates.
If pursued by a deer, let go of the lead. The deer are less likely to charge if the dog runs away from them.
Owners of dogs, who chase wildlife in the parks, including deer, could face criminal prosecution.
Find out more about Dogs in the Royal Parks [PDF 950.16kB].
To report an injury to a dog or a deer, please telephone 0300 061 2250 or email bushy@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Woodlands and parks with Deer such as Richmond Park and Bushy Park, can attract ticks. To familiarise yourself with symptoms and things you can do to prevent tick bites, click here to download a Tick Bites and Lyme Disease leaflet.
Download a copy of our leaflet Deer in The Royal Parks
Bushy Park is a deer park. Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely throughout the park, just as they did when Henry VIII used to hunt here.
There are currently about 320 deer and their grazing is essential to maintain the high wildlife value of the park's grasslands. Unlike cutting, grazing creates more variation in structure and plant diversity and does not damage the anthills, which add further diversity and character to the grassland.
The herds are kept out of the Woodland Gardens and other protected plantations in order to protect the trees and shrubs there. The Red Deer are the largest mammal native to the British Isles and in the summer their coats are glossy red. Fallow deer, introduced by the Romans, are smaller and their summer coats, usually spotted, vary from a cream to darkish brown colour.
During the autumn the deer 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. The Red stags and Fallow bucks compete for females (known as hinds and does respectively). At this time, the large males roar, bark and clash antlers in a spectacular way in an attempt to fight off rivals and attract as many females as possible. The young are born May - July and are hidden by their mothers amongst the bracken and long grass. The young are very vulnerable at this time and their mothers, being sensitive to disturbance, will defend their babies.
Please keep at least 50 metres away from the deer and be aware of your surroundings so that you do not come between two rutting stags or a mother and her calf.
Do not touch, feed or photograph the deer at close range.
Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Bushy Park is a deer park with herds of wild deer roaming freely.
Recently, the number of owners choosing to walk their dogs in Bushy Park has increased considerably.
Deer can feel threatened by dogs even over long distances and when the dog is not behaving in a provocative manner.
This is particularly during the rutting (September - October) and the birthing (May - July) seasons. We recommend walking your dog outside the park at these times.
This year The Royal Parks has received reports of two incidents in Bushy Park where dogs sustained injuries, one of which was fatal.
If you choose, at your own risk, to walk your dog in the park at these times, it is advisable to keep your dog on a lead and consider an alternative route, such as following the wall line of the park where you are close to exit gates.
If pursued by a deer, let go of the lead. The deer are less likely to charge if the dog runs away from them.
Owners of dogs, who chase wildlife in the parks, including deer, could face criminal prosecution.
Find out more about Dogs in the Royal Parks [PDF 950.16kB].
To report an injury to a dog or a deer, please telephone 0300 061 2250 or email bushy@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Woodlands and parks with Deer such as Richmond Park and Bushy Park, can attract ticks. To familiarise yourself with symptoms and things you can do to prevent tick bites, click here to download a Tick Bites and Lyme Disease leaflet.
Download a copy of our leaflet Deer in The Royal Parks
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Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park, a ground breaking new concert series and outdoor experience from 5 July - 14 July 2013.
More things to do...A permanent memorial to honour the victims of the 7 July 2005 London Bombings was unveiled in Hyde Park by Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
More things to do...This unique Memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 6th July 2004 and was built with the best materials, talent and technology.
More things to do...Royal Gun Salutes mark special royal occasions. On these days salutes are fired from locations in London including Hyde Park and Green Park.
More things to do...Daily public swimming in The Serpentine from June - September. Serpentine Swimming Club swims every day, including the famous race on Christmas day.
More things to do...Rowing and pedal boats are available to hire on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. You can also take a ride on the UK's first Solarshuttle, powered only by the sun.
More things to do...The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven-mile-long walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground, that takes you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life.
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Bushy Park is a deer park. Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely throughout the park, just as they did when Henry VIII used to hunt here.
There are currently about 320 deer and their grazing is essential to maintain the high wildlife value of the park's grasslands. Unlike cutting, grazing creates more variation in structure and plant diversity and does not damage the anthills, which add further diversity and character to the grassland.
The herds are kept out of the Woodland Gardens and other protected plantations in order to protect the trees and shrubs there. The Red Deer are the largest mammal native to the British Isles and in the summer their coats are glossy red. Fallow deer, introduced by the Romans, are smaller and their summer coats, usually spotted, vary from a cream to darkish brown colour.
During the autumn the deer 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. The Red stags and Fallow bucks compete for females (known as hinds and does respectively). At this time, the large males roar, bark and clash antlers in a spectacular way in an attempt to fight off rivals and attract as many females as possible. The young are born May - July and are hidden by their mothers amongst the bracken and long grass. The young are very vulnerable at this time and their mothers, being sensitive to disturbance, will defend their babies.
Please keep at least 50 metres away from the deer and be aware of your surroundings so that you do not come between two rutting stags or a mother and her calf.
Do not touch, feed or photograph the deer at close range.
Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Bushy Park is a deer park with herds of wild deer roaming freely.
Recently, the number of owners choosing to walk their dogs in Bushy Park has increased considerably.
Deer can feel threatened by dogs even over long distances and when the dog is not behaving in a provocative manner.
This is particularly during the rutting (September - October) and the birthing (May - July) seasons. We recommend walking your dog outside the park at these times.
This year The Royal Parks has received reports of two incidents in Bushy Park where dogs sustained injuries, one of which was fatal.
If you choose, at your own risk, to walk your dog in the park at these times, it is advisable to keep your dog on a lead and consider an alternative route, such as following the wall line of the park where you are close to exit gates.
If pursued by a deer, let go of the lead. The deer are less likely to charge if the dog runs away from them.
Owners of dogs, who chase wildlife in the parks, including deer, could face criminal prosecution.
Find out more about Dogs in the Royal Parks [PDF 950.16kB].
To report an injury to a dog or a deer, please telephone 0300 061 2250 or email bushy@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Woodlands and parks with Deer such as Richmond Park and Bushy Park, can attract ticks. To familiarise yourself with symptoms and things you can do to prevent tick bites, click here to download a Tick Bites and Lyme Disease leaflet.
Download a copy of our leaflet Deer in The Royal Parks