Bushy Park Diana Fountain and Ponds Circular
London
Bushy Park is the second largest of London's Royal Parks, 1,100 acres of grassland, avenues and plantations beside Hampton Court Palace, home to herds of red and fallow deer that mean dogs go on a lead at certain times of year. Sir Christopher Wren designed Chestnut Avenue as the grand approach to the palace, with the Arethusa or Diana Fountain as its centrepiece, and the Longford River, a 19km channel dug on the orders of Charles I to carry water to Hampton Court, runs through the park. This 4.4km circuit from the Diana Fountain car park passes the model boating lake, Heron Pond and Leg of Mutton Pond, crosses the Warren Plantation, follows the Longford River to a brick bridge and returns along Lime Avenue and Chestnut Avenue. It is flat, on mostly surfaced paths with a few stretches of compacted mud and no stiles.
This dog friendly walk has plenty of space, but deer shape the rules. From 1 May to 31 July, the deer birthing season, dogs must be on a lead throughout the park, and in the autumn rut it is wise to keep dogs leashed and at least 50 metres from the deer. Dogs are not allowed in the Woodland Gardens, must be on a lead near water, and should be on a short lead in the skylark zones from March to September. Otherwise a dog with reliable recall can enjoy the open grass. There are dog bins throughout, and parking at the Diana Fountain is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe by the Diana Fountain car park; Pheasantry Cafe near the Woodland Gardens; dog bins throughout the park.
- Parking
- Diana Fountain car park, The Royal Parks, free (donation machine); entrance off Hampton Court Road. Hampton Court and Teddington stations are about a 10 minute walk.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Bushy Park Diana Fountain and Ponds Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bushy Park Diana Fountain and Ponds Circular dog friendly?
Bushy Park is a good option for dogs, earning a 7/10 rating on Wildpack Collective. The park covers 1,100 acres, so there's plenty of room to roam, and the 4.4km circular route is flat with mostly surfaced paths — easy going for dogs of all ages and sizes. Dog bins are dotted throughout, and parking at the Diana Fountain car park is free.
Can dogs be off lead at Bushy Park Diana Fountain and Ponds Circular?
It depends on the time of year and where you are in the park. From 1 May to 31 July (the deer birthing season), dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the entire park, and during the autumn rut it's wise to keep them leashed and at least 50 metres from the deer. Dogs must also be on a lead near water, on a short lead in the skylark zones from March to September, and are not permitted in the Woodland Gardens at all. Outside these restrictions, a dog with reliable recall can enjoy the open grassland.
What should I know before visiting Bushy Park Diana Fountain and Ponds Circular with my dog?
The park is home to herds of red and fallow deer, which means seasonal lead rules are strictly in place — leads are compulsory throughout from 1 May to 31 July, and caution is needed during the autumn rut. Beyond the deer rules, keep leads on near the ponds and in the skylark zones (March to September), and note that dogs aren't allowed in the Woodland Gardens. On the practical side, there are two cafes nearby — one by the Diana Fountain car park and the Pheasantry Cafe close to the Woodland Gardens — and Hampton Court and Teddington stations are both around a 10-minute walk from the park.
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Diana Fountain Car Park, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Road, Teddington TW11 0EW
51.4116, -0.3334
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