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  • The Royal Parks
  • Visitor information
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    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting here
    • Visitor Centre
    • Volunteer Rangers
    • Oak Processionary Moth
    • Tick bites and Lyme Disease
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Accessibility information
    • Contact Bushy Park
  • Map of Bushy Park
  • Deer safety
  • Nature
    arrow_drop_down
    • Wildlife
    • Trees
    • Grasses and Wildflowers
    • Water features
    • Waterhouse Woodland Gardens
    • Conservation
  • History
    arrow_drop_down
    • Diana Fountain
    • Upper Lodge Water Gardens and Brew House
    • Bushy Park in World War Two
    • National Physical Laboratory
  • Food and drink
    arrow_drop_down
    • Pheasantry Cafe
    • Diana car park kiosk
  • Recreation
    arrow_drop_down
    • Upcoming events in Bushy Park
    • Bushy Park Playground
    • Sport in Bushy Park
  • Latest News
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    • Sign up to the Bushy Park newsletter
    • Update on parking charge proposals
    • Weather station data
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  • Bushy Park
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Nature

Bushy’s landscape is unique among The Royal Parks: it has the scale and free-roaming wildlife of a country park, yet also boasts the beautifully-crafted scenery of ornamental gardens. Whether you want to capture a glimpse of the deer that have lived here for centuries, or stroll through quiet areas of picturesque planting and flowing water, Bushy offers an ideal escape from the busy city.

A Site of Special Scientific Interest

The rich biodiversity of Bushy Park led to it being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England in 2015. This means the park’s natural assets are nationally and even internationally significant, from ancient trees to special grasslands to rare wildlife.

An exceptionally large number of the trees in Bushy are classed as ancient – dating back hundreds of years – and veteran, creating the perfect environment for fungi and invertebrates that feed off mature and decaying wood. At the last count there were 200 veteran trees, of which 94 were ancient. Bushy is one of only 44 sites in the UK known to support more than 100 veteran trees, and has the most in London. Many of these are aged hawthorn trees on which mistletoe grows.

Due to these trees, Bushy is one of the top five sites in the country for rare species of wood-feeding invertebrates. So rare that they are of interest to the international scientific community. These tiny creatures are also researched and monitored by The Royal Parks’ own team of insect experts, as part of the Mission: Invertebrate programme.

Click on the boxes below to learn more about the huge variety of natural features to be found in Bushy, and how we can all care for them.

Wildlife

Bushy Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, rare species and incredible habitats. Discover Bushy Park’s wildlife on your next visit.

Trees

One key feature of the park is its splendid avenues of mature trees. The trees in Bushy Park range from magnificent horse chestnut trees to lime trees.

Grasses and Wildflowers

Bushy Park contains a regionally important area of acid grassland which supports fine grasses and wildflowers. Discover more.

Water features

From ponds and streams fed by the Longford River, to fountains and water gardens, Bushy Park is home to a number of stunning water features. Discover more.

Waterhouse Woodland Gardens

The Woodland Gardens in Bushy Park span 60 acres and consists of a beautiful oasis of plants, trees, wildlife and waterways. Discover more.

Conservation

Protecting Bushy Park’s precious wildlife and habitats is a core aspect of The Royal Parks’ charitable work. Find out more about conversation at the park.

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