Bushy Park
Bushy Park is a haven for wildlife – from historic herds of resident deer and scores of protected anthills to ancient woodlands and winding waterways where skylarks nest, ducks dive and beetles scurry.
Escape to Bushy Park
Whether you’re visiting for a day or a regular, Bushy Park offers vast space and plenty to explore. As London’s second-largest Royal Park, its history spans over a thousand years, with 300 free-roaming deer dating back to Henry VIII’s time. Join a free monthly walking tour to learn more about its rich heritage and wildlife.
Stay active in Bushy Park
Home to the original Parkrun, Bushy Park is a runner’s paradise, featuring a 10K perimeter trail. The Bushy Park Sports Club offers tennis, football, cricket, bowls, and year-round swimming at Hampton Pool.
A haven for wildlife
Bushy Park boasts London’s highest concentration of veteran and ancient trees, supporting rare birds, insects, plants, and great crested newts. Conservation efforts help protect this diverse ecosystem.
Water features and gardens
The Grade I listed Diana Fountain is the park’s most famous landmark, alongside lakes, ponds, and the scenic Waterhouse Woodland Gardens with cascades and waterfalls. The winding Longford River offers another picturesque walking route, while The Pheasantry Café provides a relaxing stop.
Fun for children
The newly upgraded Bushy Park Playground features activities for all ages, from cradle swings and a turtle drum for little ones to an impressive timber climbing frame for older children.
Ways That You Can Volunteer
Founded in 1990, the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks (FBHP) is a registered charity, No.1137203. We are dedicated to the protection, conservation, improvement, and increased appreciation of the parks. We work with The Royal Parks’ and with Historic Royal Palaces’ management teams to achieve our aims. We are composed entirely of members, many of whom are our volunteers. We have no employed or full-time staff.
We organise activities throughout the year offering members the opportunity to meet in an informal setting. Our Talks are held at several venues in the communities around the boundary of the park; we learn about such things as local history, the natural world, and insights into The Royal Parks and Historic Royal Palaces. Our guided walks around the parks are unique opportunities to learn more about the management of these extraordinary wild spaces, and to access areas usually denied to the public. During the year we organise a monthly Introductory Walk to Bushy Park. Details and topics for talks and walks are advertised on the Home Page of this website and on posters in the Notice Boards next to the Visitor Centre at the Pheasantry in Bushy Park. Most of our events are free of charge and allow members to find out more about our work and to meet others who share our appreciation of these parks.
The Friends support both Bushy and Home Parks because until 1998 the two parks were managed by the Royal Parks Agency, then a government body. On 1 April 1998, the Historic Royal Palaces charity was created with responsibility for the management of Hampton Court Palace and Home Park. In March 2017 The Royal Parks was established as a charity with responsibility for eight of London’s largest open spaces, Hyde, The Green, Richmond, Greenwich, St James’s, Bushy and The Regent’s Parks, and Kensington Gardens. It also manages other important open spaces in the capital including Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens, Canning Green and Poet’s Corner.
Volunteer Coordinator – Elizabeth Malone Email: volunteering@fbhp.org.uk
Corporate Volunteering
Specialist Volunteering Requirements
Place to Visit, Kingston upon Thames
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