Free Open Day on 21 September 2008

Richmond Park Open Day will take place this Sunday between 11am and 4pm at Holly Lodge. This great day out for the whole family will provide an excellent opportunity to meet the people behind London's largest park.

The Richmond Park team who manage the 1,000 hectares of historic parkland will be on hand to provide information about the park and to answer any questions. A number of organizations who work closely with The Royal Parks will also have stands showcasing their work, including representatives from The Friends of Richmond Park; The Royal Parks Guild; The Richmond Park Wildlife Group; and volunteers from the Holly Lodge Centre.

There will be plenty to see and do - with a selection of classic cars, motorbikes and military vehicles to view; a bouncy castle; bee-keeping; woodland crafts; pond-dipping; a nature trail; and face painting - amongst many other attractions. The ever-popular Royal Parks working Shire Horses will meet and greet visitors and give rides.

Simon Richards, Park Manager of Richmond Park said: "Richmond Park Open Day is an excellent way for visitors to find out more about the park and to meet the people who work so hard to preserve and protect it. The last event was a great success and I'm sure that it will be even more popular this year - with a wide range of activities and attractions to suit everyone."

Media enquiries:

For further information or images please contact: Katy Murray, The Royal Parks
Tel: 0300 061 2128 or email: kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

About Richmond Park Open Day:

• Entry and Parking: Admission is free of charge - but there is a £5 parking fee per car in the field outside Holly Lodge (this includes a complimentary programme). There is no charge for blue badge holders and cyclists and facilities to park bicycles are provided.
• Location and Directions: Holly Lodge is located just off Sawyer's Hill - the closest gates are Richmond Gate (1.5km from Richmond station) and Sheen Gate (1km from Mortlake station). To look at a map of Richmond Park please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park/.
• Additional activities: guided walks; saw mill; charcoal burning; rural crafts; blacksmith; bricklayer; refreshments; vegetable garden; photographic display; riding for the disabled; Victorian classroom and chemist shop; fire engine; tombola; paper butterfly making; picnic area; bric-a-brac; and power kiting.
• Additional groups giving demonstrations / displays: Richmond Park Bird Group; Richmond Park Butterfly Group; Richmond Park Flora Group; Richmond Park Beetle Group; Wildfowl and Wetland Trust; London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames; Natural England; British Deer Society; London Biodiversity Partnership; Richmond Environmental Network; Thames Landscape Strategy; The Tree Company; Kingston and Elmbridge Diving Club; Kingston Horticultural Society; Metropolitan Police; and the Richmond Park Golf Course.

About Richmond Park:

• Richmond Park, at 1000 hectares (2500 acres), is the largest Royal Park in London and is home to around 650 free roaming deer. The pastoral landscape of hills, woodlands, ponds, gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees offers a peaceful respite to visitors.
• The Park is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

About The Royal Parks:

• The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
• The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.
• For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk