Richmond Park and Wimbeldon Common

One park is not enough. A combined "figure of 8" loop is actually 10 mile. The weather was not great and it actually showered as we were at the far end of the loop by Petersham Gate but luckily Richmond Park has plenty of big trees to shelter.

This is the plan...

We parked by Wimbeldon Common Windmill. The car park is quite big and free. I really like the forest like park with tree roots and streams. The cycle paths go along the golf course and horse tracks which means some parts were a bit too sandy to cycle for the kids.

We exited Wimbeldon Common by the A3 main road and cycled along the pavement (legally) till the Robin Hood Gate by Stag Lodge Stables. Cycling paths in Richmond Park are flatter and mostly traffic free. The shared roads are mostly safe as cars do slow down and polite in line with the nature of the semi enclosed park.

I was determined to find some deer for the kids. So we took some detour away from the main cycle paths. From there, we cycled towards Pond and Queen Elizabeth's Plantation and by the time we are lost trying to find a route through the gated Pembroke Lodge on Queen's Road towards the playground by Petersham Gate, the kids have thrown in the towel. Some off track walk and downhill excitement later, the kids were surprisingly recharged and we finally reached the park.

We had a picnic and they really enjoyed the model train and aeroplane as they watched every passenger plane en-route to Heathrow passes overhead, memorising each carrier flag design.

For cycling. every road that goes down (yee-ha!) must climb back up:( The shower came as we were half way up the hill eastwards towards Queen's Road and provided a timely rest to catch our breath.

We actually saw the most deer along Sawyer's Hill by Isabella Plantation. The route back was mainly on traffic free roads.