HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits Richmond Park

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visited Richmond Park, managed by The Royal Parks charity, on Friday 10 May 2024, marking her first visit to the iconic Isabella Plantation.

The Isabella Plantation is a 40-acre woodland garden set within a Victorian woodland plantation. First opened to the public in 1953, it is best known for its colourful azaleas, which line the ponds and streams and bloom in late spring and early summer.

Her Royal Highness was welcomed by The Royal Parks’ staff, including Darren Share MBE, Director of Park Operations, Paul Richards, Richmond Park Manager, and Jo Scrivener, Assistant Park Manager who provided a private tour of the garden, amidst the blooming azaleas.

Located in the gardens is the National Plant Collection of Wilson 50 Kurume azaleas - introduced to the west from Japan in the 1920s by the plant collector Ernest Wilson. Extensive collections of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, plus many other unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceous plantings ensure interest to hundreds of thousands of visitors all year round. It is free to enter the Isabella Plantation.

Paul Richards, Richmond Park Manager, said:

"It was an honour to welcome HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand to Richmond Park and show her the Isabella Plantation in all its blooming glory. It's a fantastic time to visit with the flowers in full display, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors over the summer.”