Richmond Park Dog Walk

Richmond, London

Easy Partial on lead during deer birthing season (1 may to 31 july) and in skylark zones year round; off lead permitted across most of the park outside these restrictions

7.2 km Distance

~1h 45m Duration

Flat parkland Terrain

Partial on lead during deer birthing season (1 may to 31 july) and in skylark zones year round; off lead permitted across most of the park outside these restrictions Off-lead

Richmond Park is one of the few places in London where a dog walk genuinely feels wild. Around 630 red and fallow deer roam freely across the grassland, and dogs must be kept on lead throughout - this is a legal requirement, not a suggestion, and rangers do enforce it. The route loops through open parkland with wide sight lines, passing Pen Ponds where dogs can drink and cool off at the water’s edge. On a clear day the view south from higher ground reaches St Paul’s Cathedral above the London skyline.The terrain is mostly short-cropped grass and wide tarmac paths, easy underfoot in all seasons. The park can be very busy at weekends, so early mornings are noticeably quieter.

Richmond Park is one of the few places in London where a dog walk genuinely feels wild.

October and November bring the deer rut. Stags are vocal and can be unpredictable during this period. Stick to the paths, keep even more distance from the herd than usual, and keep leads short. The rut is a spectacle worth seeing - approached with appropriate caution.

Seasonal notes

Tick season · Mar-Oct · Check after every visit

Good to know

Hazards Ticks on dogs: what UK dog owners need to know Hazards Heatstroke in dogs - walking safely in hot weather Hazards Grass seeds and dogs - what every UK owner needs to know

--^o

Loading conditions...

Checking weather

Best walk window

Fetching live conditions...

Rain

Heat

Wind

Cold

Storm

Based on veterinary research - every dog is different

Breed-specific alerts, humidity-adjusted scoring, and paw burn data in the app

Open in Sniffout

Get live weather for this walk

Today's verdict, hazards, and best time window.

Open Sniffout

Before you go

Parking Richmond Gate car park, free

Getting there Richmond station, 10 min walk

Nearest town Richmond

Facilities Cafe at Pembroke Lodge

Difficulty Suitable for all fitness levels

For your dog

Off-lead

Partial on lead during deer birthing season (1 may to 31 july) and in skylark zones year round; off lead permitted across most of the park outside these restrictions

Distance 7.2 km, typically ~1h 45m

More walks nearby

Isabella Plantation

3.2 km · Easy · Partial

Wimbledon Common Loop

5.2 km · Easy · Full

Hampstead Heath and Ponds

5.8 km · Easy · Full

Richmond Park is one of the few places in London where a dog can have a genuinely long off-lead run on grass. The park covers 2,500 acres and most of it is open to dogs, with the exception of the Pen Ponds area from May to July when the ground-nesting birds are active. The red and fallow deer are here year-round - around 630 of them - and the park rule is simple: if your dog goes near the deer, it goes back on the lead. Most days that is not an issue. The deer are spread widely enough that a walk across the Isabella Plantation side or up towards Pembroke Lodge stays well clear of the main herds. The paths are flat, wide, and easy underfoot on dry days, though the grass sections hold water after prolonged rain. The Roehampton Gate, Richmond Gate, and Kingston Gate car parks all have reasonable space on weekday mornings. Pembroke Lodge serves food and has a terrace with room for dogs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my dog to Richmond Park?

Yes, dogs are welcome throughout Richmond Park. Off-lead is permitted across most of the park, but leads are mandatory during deer birthing season (1 May to 31 July) across the entire park with no exceptions. Leads are also required year-round in skylark protection zones (Lawn Field, Crown Field, and The Bog) and around all ponds including Pen Ponds. During the rutting season (September to November), keep at least 50 metres from deer. It is a criminal offence for dogs to chase deer in the park. Dogs are not permitted in Pembroke Lodge Gardens.

Is there parking at Richmond Park?

Yes, there are several free car parks across the park including Kingston Gate, Broomfield Hill, Pen Ponds, Roehampton Gate, Robin Hood Gate, Ham Gate, and Pembroke Lodge. Parking is currently free of charge.