Autumn walks in Richmond Park
Take a seasonal stroll through the distinctive gardens, woodland and historic landscapes of Richmond Park.
Autumn transforms Richmond Park, bringing a rich palette of colour to its wide grasslands, wooded slopes and sweeping views. These seasonal self-guided walks, including a route around the wider park and a dedicated loop through Isabella Plantation, lead visitors through high vantage points, historic landscapes and quieter corners. Each stop is marked on the map below, alongside information on gates, cafés and toilets.
Route information
There are two self-guided walks through Richmond Park this autumn for visitors to enjoy: the autumn walk in Richmond Park and the autumn walk in Isabella Plantation.
The full routes are shown on the map below; use the 'Filters' button to switch between the two walks. You can start at whichever point is closest to where you enter the park and follow the route in either direction at your own pace.
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Autumn walk in Richmond Park
Several shorter loops branch off from the main route, allowing you to tailor the walk to suit the time you have available. There's no need to complete the entire route in one visit, as you can always return another time to explore the sections you missed.
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King Henry’s Mound: a historic rise offering a protected view towards St Paul’s Cathedral, framed by ancient trees and long‑distance horizons
- Pembroke Lodge: a Georgian lodge with landscaped grounds and far-reaching views across the Thames Valley, ideal for a pause during your walk
- Sawyer's Hill: popular viewpoint overlooking sweeping woodland vistas and some of Richmond Park's most impressive autumn leaves
- Pen Ponds: two historic ponds surrounded by grassland and veteran trees, offering peaceful reflections and opportunities to spot wildlife
- Queen's Ride: a broad tree-lined avenue that showcases the changing season and provides excellent views across the park's open landscapes
- White Lodge (Royal Ballet School): an elegant Georgian building set within the heart of the park, with a royal history dating back to the reign of George II.
| Distance | Duration | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| 6.9 miles | 2 hours and 31 mins at a relaxed pace | Several slopes throughout* |
*There are inclines and declines throughout the course of this route, some of which are steep:
- Declining slope from Pembroke Lodge south to Ham Cross
- Incline from Ham Cross to Dann's Pond
- Incline from Sheen Cross Wood to Richmond Gate.
Autumn walk in Isabella Plantation
Isabella Plantation is a celebrated woodland garden renowned for its exceptional seasonal colour and tranquil setting. A downloadable PDF of the Isabella Plantation map can be found here for your convenience.
Highlights along the route include:
- Thomson's Lawn: a 'honeypot' for autumn colour, planted specifically to provide a spectacular seasonal display. Look out for tupelo trees, swamp cypresses, sweet gums, tulip trees, Persian ironwoods, dawn redwoods and white willow trees, which create a vibrant tapestry of colour
- The Acer Glade: one of the plantation's most spectacular autumn displays, with Japanese maples turning brilliant shades of scarlet, orange and gold
- Brownie's Stream: a gentle watercourse winding through woodland, with its own young Acer Glade, offering opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife among the changing landscape
- Main Stream: the plantation's central water feature, framed by colourful foliage and special early-flowering scented camellias, creating a multi-sensory autumn experience
- Camellia Walk: a tranquil woodland path lined with evergreen camellias, providing contrast to the vibrant autumn colours found throughout the surrounding garden.
| Distance | Duration | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 miles | 45 mins at a relaxed pace | A slight decline at Broomfield Hill Gate and through the garden, from east to west |
The map below only shows information relevant to the autumn walking routes. You can find the full Richmond Park map here.
Map of the autumn walks in Richmond Park
Some of the sights along the way
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Pen Ponds -
Swan at Pen Ponds -
The Way gates provide an impressive viewpoint -
Wooded area of Isabella Plantation -
Isabella Plantation -
Great tit in autumnal setting -
Autumn landscape of Richmond Park -
Deer at sunset -
Pembroke Lodge Gardens -
Telescope at King Henry's Mound -
Queen's Ride looking toward White Lodge -
Squirrel in Richmond Park
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Pen Ponds Richmond Park -
Swan at Pen Ponds Richmond Park -
The Way gates provide an impressive viewpoint Richmond Park -
Wooded area of Isabella Plantation Richmond Park -
Isabella Plantation Richmond Park -
Great tit in autumnal setting Richmond Park -
Autumn landscape of Richmond Park Richmond Park -
Deer at sunset Richmond Park -
Pembroke Lodge Gardens Richmond Park -
Telescope at King Henry's Mound Richmond Park -
Queen's Ride looking toward White Lodge Richmond Park -
Squirrel in Richmond Park Richmond Park
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Autumn walkthrough: Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park
Take a mindful autumnal journey through Richmond Park's Isabella Plantation, one of London's autumn highlights.
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Autumn walkthrough: Woodland Gardens in Bushy Park
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