Old Deer Park

Old Deer Park is a large open space in Richmond, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It covers about 147 hectares and belongs to the Crown Estate. Royal history and organised sport share the ground here, and the River Thames runs close by.

Why is it called Old Deer Park?

The land served as a royal hunting ground from 1603. It gained its present name after 1637, when Charles I created the much larger Richmond Park nearby, which left the earlier park looking like the "old" one. Despite the name, no deer live here today.

What is there to see?

The standout sight is the King's Observatory, known for many years as Kew Observatory. George III had it built in 1769 as an astronomical and geomagnetic observatory, to a design by Sir William Chambers. It is a Grade I listed building and now a private home, so it can only be admired from outside. Later it became a place for testing the accuracy of scientific instruments such as watches, barometers and thermometers. That work passed to the National Physical Laboratory at Bushy Park in 1910.

Why is the park so tied to sport?

Of the 147 hectares, roughly 90 are leased out as sports grounds, with pitches for rugby and cricket as well as golf courses. Since 1892 most of the land has been occupied by the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club. It runs two 18-hole courses, with a separate enclosure between them containing the observatory. The club gained its "Royal" title in 1926, when George V granted it as his son, the Prince of Wales and future Edward VIII, became captain.

Is it worth a visit?

If you enjoy walking in open spaces and stories from the history of science, yes. It pairs well with a day in Richmond. Keep in mind that a good share of the land is club grounds, not freely open to visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Old Deer Park? In Richmond, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, in south-west London.

Are there deer in the park? No. The name dates from its time as a royal hunting ground, but there are no deer now. You can see deer in nearby Richmond Park.

Who owns the land? The Crown Estate, with most of the area leased to sports clubs.

Can I go inside the King's Observatory? It is a private residence, so it can only be viewed from the outside.

What was the observatory used for? At first for astronomical observation and studies of the Earth's magnetism. Later it tested measuring instruments, until 1910.

Which sports are played here? Mainly golf, rugby and cricket.