Richmond Park - Plantings and Memorials

Plantings and Memorials

The park's open slopes and woods are based on lowland acid soils. The grassland is mostly managed by grazing. The park contains numerous woods and copses, some created with donations from members of the public.

Between 1819 and 1835, Lord Sidmouth, Deputy Ranger, established several new plantations and enclosures, including Sidmouth Wood and the ornamental Isabella Plantation, both of which are fenced to keep the deer out. After World War II the existing woodland at the Isabella Plantation was transformed into a stunning woodland garden, and is organically run, resulting in a rich flora and fauna. Opened to the public in 1953, it is now a major visitor attraction in its own right. In October 2012 it was reported that about 40 per cent of the Isabella Plantation is covered with Rhododendron ponticum, a non-native and invasive variety of rhododendron introduced by the Victorians, and that this will be removed over the next five years.

The Jubilee Plantation, created to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, was established in 1887.

Prince Charles' Spinney was planted out in 1951 with trees protected from the deer by fences, to preserve a natural habitat. The bluebell glade is managed to encourage native British bluebells.

Teck Plantation, established in 1905,commemorates the Duke and Duchess of Teck, who lived at White Lodge. Their daughter Mary married George V.

Tercentenary Plantation, in 1937, marked the 300th anniversary of the enclosure of the park.

Victory Plantation was established in 1946 to mark the end of the Second World War.

Queen Mother's Copse, a small triangular enclosure on the woodland hill halfway between Robin Hood Gate and Ham Gate, was established in 1980 to commemorate the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Two Storms Wood is a plantation a short distance into the park from Sheen Gate. Some extremely old trees can be seen inside this enclosure.

Bone Copse, which was named in 2005, was started by the Bone family in 1988 by purchasing and planting a tree from the Park authorities in memory of Bessie Bone who died in that year. Trees have been added annually, and in 1994 her husband Frederick Bone also died. The annual planting has been continued by their children.