Walking Tour - Richmond Park

 

Walking Tour 7

 

HOST

My walk today is centered in just one location. But that said, it is a massive piece of land - 955 hectares, and right smack bang in the middle of London. Welcome to Richmond Park. Although it's surrounded by the neverending urban growth of London, the park has changed little over the centuries. Its royal connections probably go back as far as the reign of Edward, around 1272 to 1307. Richmond park is a site of both national and international importance for wildlife conservation.

 

HOST

This is a stunning view, but what are we looking at ecologically?

 

ADAM CURTIS (AC)

At the top of the hill, we've got Sidmouth woods, this road's gonna be woodland, and then we've got the Pempons, these two large lakes in the middle there, and then in the foreground this muff grass is actually a brilliant home to skylarks. This is a small brown bird which actually nests on the ground.

 

HOST
Is this a natural lake?

 

AC
There was a lot of gravel extracted here, you know, a few hundred years ago. It's a great focal point for many people visiting the park. You'll see a lot of the resident wild fowl that are here all the year round.

 

HOST
It was enclosed as a hunting park by Charles the first in 1637. No hunting takes place today, but you will still find plenty of wild life.

 

HOST

Is this normal, deer this close to London?

 

JOHN BARTRAM (JB)

We have 300 reds, and 350 fellow. The reds are pretty unique here - you won't find this any where else this close to london. Most of these animals are descendants from Henry the 8th's day, these would have been the great great great great grandchildren he was chasing the daylights out of on horseback.

 

HOST

It's so nice to just stroll through the park and take in the sights. You would never guess you were so close to London. Until you get here. This area is known as the Vista, and following the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral by sir Christopher Wren in 1710, an avenue of trees was created here in the park. It was alligned directly from Henry the 8th's mound in the grounds of Pembroke Lodge directly towards London's brand new Cathedral.

 

HOST

The park is a great place to find plenty of flora and fauna.

 

AC
This is heart wood, rot, where the fungi have taken out the whole of the inside of the tree. This is the dead heartwood here and this is the living tree around the outside. Living trees aren't damaged by the effects of the fungus. It's been around a long time. It's quite likely that King Charles the First would have ridden past this tree on a regular basis as he hunted in the area.

 

HOST
Well I must have walked miles today, but my word it was beautiful. Remember if you go walking out and about than take plenty of warm clothes, good footwear and water proof. If you'd like to check out more of my walk today than have a look on the website.