Richmond Park Start Anywhere HB DEMO

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the rugged beauty of London's largest Royal Park with this 11.6km loop, designed for runners who value flexibility and natural terrain. Featuring 77m of gradual ascent, this hilly route bypasses the paved Tamsin Trail in favor of authentic dirt paths and gravel tracks, offering a soft-surface experience that is easier on the joints but challenging for the ankles. As a "Start Anywhere" loop, you can jump onto the anticlockwise trail from any perimeter gate including Roehampton, Richmond, or Kingston. Expect a true cross-country feel where the terrain transitions from wide-open grasslands to secluded woodland canopies, requiring a bit of focus on footing, especially during the wetter months when the mud becomes a badge of honor for local trail enthusiasts.

Richmond Park is steeped in history, originally established by Charles I in the 17th century as a deer hunting park. Today, it remains a site of international importance for wildlife conservation, and runners are almost guaranteed to spot members of the 600-strong herd of Red and Fallow deer that still roam freely across the 2,500-acre landscape. Running here feels like an escape from the urban sprawl of South West London; the vistas from Sawyer’s Hill or the Henry VIII mound offer protected views of St. Paul’s Cathedral that have been preserved for centuries. Whether you are training for a hilly autumn race or simply seeking a scenic long run, the park’s wild character and historical depth make every kilometer feel like a journey through time.