An 11 km loop round all corners of London's largest Royal Park, through ancient woods and grassland among free-roaming deer – the Royal Parks' pick for an autumn walk.
Photo: The Royal Parks
Distance
11 km
Time
2–4 hours depending on pace and stops
Difficulty
Moderate – a long loop
Start
Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park (the trail is a loop and can be joined at any gate)
Past
King Henry's Mound and its view to St Paul's Cathedral, Sawyer's Hill, Herds of red and fallow deer, The autumn maples and sweet gums of the Isabella Plantation (a short detour)
Season
Pedestrian gates open 24 hours; vehicle gates 07:30–16:30. Deer rut from late September to early November. Foraging is illegal in the Royal Parks.
With children
Long for young children: the Royal Parks suggest the 2.4 km (45-minute) Beverley Brook section from Roehampton Gate as a shorter walk. Keep 50 metres from the deer and dogs on leads during the rut.