Bushy Park, London – Royal Park Walks and Open Wetland Landscapes

Broad Avenues, Grassland, and Quiet Paths Beside the Thames

Bushy Park is one of London’s most distinctive places for self-guided travel, shaped by walking routes, open landscapes, and historic green space beside the Thames in south-west London. Wide paths and tree-lined avenues link Hampton Court Palace with Kingston, Teddington, and the river, allowing walkers to move gradually between parkland, woodland, and neighbourhood streets rather than treating the park as a single destination.

The landscape feels broad and level. Long grassland stretches between ancient trees, straight carriage drives run toward distant gates, and wetlands and ponds attract birdlife throughout the year. Red and fallow deer roam freely across open ground, while quieter corners of woodland and water meadow offer slower, more sheltered walking.

Despite its proximity to surrounding suburbs, Bushy Park feels calm and spacious. The scale of the park and the absence of traffic create a strong sense of separation from the city. Exploring on foot reveals how closely the park connects with the Thames Path, Hampton Court, and the wider network of riverside and green walking routes.

About Bushy Park

Bushy Park is the second largest of London’s Royal Parks, covering more than 1,000 acres of protected parkland. Originally enclosed as a royal hunting ground, it retains much of its historic character, with formal avenues, veteran trees, and open grassland shaped by centuries of land management.

Today, the park functions as both a wildlife habitat and an everyday public landscape, balancing conservation with open access. Its flat terrain and wide paths make it one of the most accessible walking environments in London.

Where to Walk

Chestnut Avenue

‍‍A long, straight, tree-lined route running through the centre of the park, linking Hampton Court Palace with the Diana Fountain.

Teddington Gate to Hampton Court

‍‍Level paths across open grassland with wide views and easy connections to the river.

Woodland Gardens & Wetland Paths

‍‍Quieter loops through ponds, streams, and shaded woodland areas.

Thames Path Links

‍‍Direct access to riverside walking toward Kingston, Richmond, and Hampton Court.

Park Perimeter Circuits

‍‍Gentle loops using the park’s broad internal roads and tracks for longer walks.

Highlights

• One of London’s largest Royal Parks
• Free-roaming red and fallow deer
• Broad, traffic-free walking paths and formal avenues
• Wetlands, ponds, and diverse birdlife
• Direct links to Hampton Court Palace and the Thames Path
• Flat terrain suited to steady walking
• Easy rail access from Hampton Court, Teddington, and Kingston