Pembroke Lodge Gardens and Isabella Plantation

The goal of this walk is to visit the spectacular spring blooms in Richmond Park. We'll be visiting in the evening, rather than at a weekend, to avoid the worst of the crowds - but that does mean we need to start a little earlier than usual and move at a fairly brisk pace to make the most of the daylight.

We will follow the river out of Richmond and head up into the park, passing over King Henry's Mound (with its protected view all the way to St Paul's Cathedral) and through Pembroke Lodge's gardens before heading on to Isabella Plantation where hopefully the spectacular Azalea displays will be in full bloom.

To finish off, we'll head into Kingston where you are welcome to join us for a drink in the pub at the end of the walk.

Please make sure you are on time for the start of the walk. We will need to leave promptly at 18:30 to make it to the Isabella Plantation in good light to see the best of the colours, so we won't be able to wait for any late comers.

Dogs: dogs are not permitted in the Pembroke Lodge gardens, so if you want to bring a dog you will have to bypass that stretch of the walk and meet us at the exit.  They are allowed in the rest of Richmond Park and Isabella Plantation, but must be kept on a lead as it is the start of the deer birthing season.

Terrain: parks and grassland