Beneath the Royal Parks: New archaeology project explores London's hidden historic waterways

The Royal Parks charity has launched the Lost Waterways of the Royal Parks, a new archaeology project exploring the hidden waterways beneath Richmond Park, Greenwich Park and Bushy Park. 

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and supported by donations from the Friends of Richmond Park, Greenwich Park, and Bushy Park, the three-year project will investigate the historic underground water systems beneath the parks to help the charity understand how to protect these important landscapes for future generations.

The Royal Parks, which manages London's eight Royal Parks, has appointed archaeologist Andrew Mayfield, to lead the project and to oversee archaeological research, community engagement and interpretation.

The project will document and better understand the forgotten conduits, wells, reservoirs and tunnels that once supplied water to royal residences, including the former Richmond Palace and Palace of Greenwich, revealing a fascinating but little-known chapter in the parks' history.

By improving knowledge of historic water infrastructure, the research findings will support sustainable park management and help protect the parks’ natural landscapes in the face of climate change.

Throughout the project, local communities, schools and volunteers will have opportunities to engage with the parks' archaeology through guided walks, community excavations, learning activities and digital experiences, helping people discover the history beneath their feet. 

Andrew Mayfield, Archaeologist, The Royal Parks, said: 

"Many of the Royal Parks' most fascinating stories lie beneath the surface. Thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Friends, the Lost Waterways project will help us better understand and protect these historic water systems while giving local communities new opportunities to discover the archaeology and history that have shaped the parks over hundreds of years. By connecting people with this hidden heritage, we hope to inspire visitors to value and care for these special landscapes."

To celebrate the launch of the project, Mayfield will be leading a free guided walk in Richmond Park as part of the Council for British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology 2026 (18 July – 2 August), which this year explores the theme "Archaeology and Nature." The walk in Richmond Park will take place at 2pm on Saturday 1 August and will examine how archaeology and nature are closely connected and how these systems shape the landscapes visitors enjoy today. 

Running until 2029, the Lost Waterways project will begin in Richmond Park before moving to Bushy Park and Greenwich Park.