Richmond upon Thames · managed by The Royal Parks
Bushy Park Woodland Gardens and deer plains
circular · easy
Off-lead rules
Seasonal restrictions apply
In Bushy Park and Richmond Park you must keep your dogs on leads and away from the deer at all times during the birthing season (1 May - 31 July).
royalparks.org.ukChecked 19 July 2026
This is the evidence for off-lead rules at Bushy Park Woodland Gardens and deer plains. It was read from royalparks.org.uk on 19 July 2026.Dogs do not need to be kept on a lead in Bushy Park providing they are a safe distance from the park's deer.
On-lead areas: Dogs are not permitted in the Woodland Gardens. Dogs must be kept on leads around rivers and ponds.
Seasonal: Dogs must be on leads throughout the park 1 May - 31 July (deer birthing season). Short lead in skylark protection zones (grassland south of Oval Plantation and west of Hampton Wick Cricket Ground) March-September. Rut September-November: keep on lead near deer.
The walk itself
- Start point
- Diana Fountain car park
- Nearest station
- Hampton Wick
- Terrain
- open grassland, plantations, water gardens
- Surface
- grass and gravel tracks
- Mud
- medium
- How quiet
- medium
- Suits a reactive dog
- moderate
- Water access
- Yes
- Swimming allowed
- No
- Livestock
- Yes
- Wildlife
- high
- Stiles
- Not stated
- Gates
- Yes
- Lighting
- Not stated
- Toilets
- Yes
- Waste bins
- Not stated
- Parking
- Yes
- Café on site
- Yes
“Not stated” means our source did not cover it. We leave gaps rather than fill them.
Notes
Free-roaming red and fallow deer. It is an offence for a dog to chase deer. Car parking in Bushy Park is free. Pheasantry Cafe on site.
Rules changed?
PSPOs get renewed and amended. If the signage on the ground disagrees with what is here, the signage is right and we are wrong — please tell us.
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