When you visit Richmond Park Londres, you're stepping into something genuinely special – this isn't just another city park with a few trees and benches. At 955 hectares, it's London's largest Royal Park, and walking through it feels more like being in the countryside than in one of the world's busiest cities.

The deer are what really set this place apart. There are around 600 of them – both red deer and fallow deer – wandering freely across the grasslands like they own the place, which in a way, they do. They've been here since 1637, when Charles I created this space as a royal hunting ground in the 17th century. Watching them graze in the early morning mist is one of those moments that makes you forget you're still technically in London.

But Richmond Park is much more than just deer spotting. It's a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to some surprisingly rare species. The stag beetles here are particularly noteworthy – these chunky, prehistoric-looking creatures are increasingly uncommon in Britain. You'll also find ancient oak trees, some estimated to be 750 years old, their gnarled branches telling stories that stretch back to medieval times.

The Isabella Plantation is worth seeking out, especially in spring when the azaleas explode into color. It's a managed woodland garden that feels almost secret, tucked away from the main park. Then there's King Henry's Mound, where on a clear day you can spot St Paul's Cathedral in the distance – a protected sight line that's been preserved for centuries.

Discover all the secrets of Richmond Park with our complete London audio guide – there's so much history and wildlife detail that's easy to miss otherwise.

If you're planning to explore properly, the Tamsin Trail runs for just over seven miles around the park's perimeter. I've walked sections of it many times, and it never feels repetitive. The landscape changes from open grassland to ancient woodland, with views across the Thames Valley that remind you why this area has inspired artists for generations.

The park stays open 24 hours most of the year, though they do close it briefly during the annual deer cull. Early mornings are particularly magical – fewer people, more active wildlife, and that special quality of light filtering through the old trees.