Sport & leisure in Richmond Park

Sports and leisure in Richmond Park

Catch a bream in Pen Ponds. Watch deer grazing amongst ancient oaks. Jog woodland paths on a misty morning. Sink a winning putt. 

Richmond Park– enjoy at your leisure.

Keeping active, in the fresh air

Richmond Park, is the largest and wildest of all the Royal Parks– making it a unique natural setting for sports and leisure activities. There are 2,500 acres to explore, either on foot, by bike, or on horseback. From a round of golf to an early morning ride, a quiet day fishing at Pen Ponds, or just lying on your back, cloud-watching and listening to the birds, Richmond Park will help you keep fit and active.

Playing golf in Richmond Park

Richmond Park Golf Course must be one of the most beautiful places to play a round of golf in London – and it’s the only golf course in a Royal Park. There are two 18-hole courses, a 16-bay driving range, and an eco-friendly clubhouse with panoramic floor to ceiling windows. So, when you’ve sunk the winning putt, you can sink a drink looking out over the parkland.

Ready to play? Book a pay-and-play round through Richmond Park Golf Club here.

Playing and watching rugby in Richmond Park

As you might expect, this close to Twickenham, Richmond Park has a thriving rugby scene and it’s a popular place to play, whatever your age or ability. We mark out 4 pitches in the winter months near Roehampton Gate. The park is also home to the Rosslyn Park Rugby team, so you can cheer on a local side.

Ready to play? To enquire or book a pitch Tel: +44 (0)20 8876 6044.

Running, cycling and jogging round Richmond Park

A walk around the whole of Richmond Park may take approximately 3 hours, and we have some excellent self-guided walking and running routes. You can hire TREK mountain bikes year-round from Parkcycle in the Roehampton Gate car park. Parkcycle also carries a range of child seats and junior size bikes for a safe cycle and family day out. Helmets are included.

If you’re on two wheels, we ask that you keep to the roads and the Tamsin Trail, and respect other park users, as well as the wildlife which sometimes crosses the paths.

Riding in Richmond Park

We love horses at Richmond Park, and we even have ten Shire horses stabled at Operation Centaur, Holly Lodge, who help us with conservation projects across the parks. We’re happy to welcome considerate riders of all abilities – you’ll need to book with one of the four stables that use the parkland for hacking and private lessons – Barnfield Riding School, Riding in London, Wimbledon Village Stables and Operation Centaur.

Ready to book a hack or a riding lesson? Please get in touch with the stables directly.

Want to fish in Richmond Park?

Richmond Park is one of the few places you can fish in west London (Bushy Park is another) and it’s an idyllic, peaceful setting. Fishing is permitted at Pen Ponds, and you may find yourself fishing for roach and bream alongside the grey heron and kingfishers often spotted there.