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- Richmond Park is London’s largest Royal Park, and the best picnic spot changes with the seasons.
- The best spring picnic spot in Richmond Park is Isabella Plantation, a wheelchair-accessible woodland garden with azaleas, camellias and bluebells from April into May.
- The best summer picnic spot in Richmond Park is Pen Ponds, which has open grass, flat paths and a nearby refreshment kiosk.
- The best autumn and winter picnic spots in Richmond Park are Broomfield Hill, for watching the deer rut, and Pembroke Lodge, for Thames Valley views, a café and toilets.
- Deer rutting season in Richmond Park happens in autumn, so keep well back from the stags and never get between a stag and its group.
- When picnicking in Richmond Park, remember to take your rubbish home, don’t use barbecues or open flames, and keep dogs on leads during birthing and rutting seasons.
Richmond Park is London’s largest Royal Park, and it’s a great place for a picnic any time of year. From Square Roots Kingston, you can enjoy the park as part of your daily routine, not just for special occasions. Here’s what you should know before you go.
The Best Picnic Spots in Richmond Park by Season
Spring: Isabella Plantation
Spring is when Isabella Plantation earns its reputation, with evergreen azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and bluebells lining the ponds and streams from April into May, and a dedicated Bluebell Walk running through the woodland garden.
There are two accessible toilets in the garden: one by Peg’s Pond gate open all year, and another near Still Pond open from April to November. It’s a nice place to enjoy coffee and cake or a sandwich on a bench along the Bluebell Walk.
Summer: Pen Ponds
When the weather warms up, Pen Ponds is perfect for a picnic. There’s plenty of open grass, and the water attracts deer, birds, and dog walkers. Flat paths circle the area, and a refreshment kiosk is close by. Richmond Gate and Robin Hood Gate are the nearest entrances, both an easy walk from the ponds. There’s lots of space for a picky bits spread of olives, cold cuts and tinned cocktails.
Autumn: Broomfield Hill
Autumn is rutting season, and Broomfield Hill is a great place to watch from a safe distance. There’s a car park with Blue Badge bays, and it’s close to Kingston Gate, so it’s the easiest picnic spot for anyone coming from Kingston.
Winter: Pembroke Lodge
On a clear winter day, the lawns near Pembroke Lodge have some of the best views in the park, looking out over the Thames Valley from the highest point. It’s also a practical choice in cold weather, with a café, toilets and paved paths nearby. Richmond Gate is the closest entrance. Bring a flask of hot chocolate or pick one up at the Pembroke Lodge Café.
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