Riding in Richmond Park

[Parkranger]

Hi,

Just wondered what the protocol was for towing a trailer to Richmond then hacking around?

never been before but want to give it a go next weekend - are the lanes clearly signed ect? Any hints on the best place to enter the park?

Thanks x

 

[suestowford]

It's been MANY years since I last rode in Richmond Park, but from what I can remember, the riding tracks are fairly obvious, in that they are (or were) like cinder paths. In those days riding was most definitely not allowed off the designated paths. As far as parking goes, there are car parks all round the park, but if I were you I'd get in touch with the park authorities & ask them where's best to go.

When I rode there we went in through Ham Gate, having approached the park from Ham Common (where there is a rider-friendly push-button crossing to get across the main road).

 

[RobinHood]

We go in through the kingston gate and park in the isabella plantation carpark but we tend to go when we know it won't be packed. I have been told before that horseboxes aren't allowed in, only trailers, but the rangers always smile and say hello to us so just carry on in our 28ft box

The tracks themselves are easy peasy to follow and the main track takes you in a big circle round the park. It takes us about an hour to go the whole way round with a fair bit of cantering.

Just watch out for foreign tourists picnicing on the paths, no I'm not joking! on a number of occasions we have cantered round the corner only to find whole families camped on the sand tracks

Hope you have a good ride xx

 

[giggles mum]

Might well see you there - if you see people near Robin Hood Gate leading small children and ponies around, feel free to stare and I may click that it's you!

If the weather's good and you go before one it's likely to be "off track", meaning you can ride wherever you like except cycle paths etc, even go to the ponds. There's a board telling you whether it's off track at our gate, sure they have them at the other gates too. It's much nicer in hot weather as it's shadier and not so dusty.

Not sure about the other car parks, but Robin Hood gets packed by 11ish in nice weather. In terms of getting in, I only really know about Robin Hood and there's only a pedestrian/horse gate there, so probably best to take Robin Hood's advice rather than mine. On the other hand I can try and describe lots of nice routes from Robin Hood for you.

Going round the whole park usually takes us a fair bit more than an hour though, unless we go really wild!

Feel free to ask anything else you want to know!

 

[Parkranger]

thanks guys! can't wait to go. we've only got a trailer so should be ok! xx

 

[Tulsi]

I'd agree that Ham Gate or Kingston Gate are probably the best for you.
One word of warning; if you are driving in off the A3 and intend to take the turning into Roehampton Lane to head for Roehampton Gate, the road map shows what looks like an ideal short cut through Clarence Road to that Gate - what the map does not show is the traffic calming bollards and narrowing of that road just at the park end - not very trailer friendly, particularly as you have to do a sharp turn left for the Park almost immediately afterwards!