Chestnut Sunday in Bushy Park

The tradition of Chestnut Sunday on Bushy Park was started in the late Nineteenth Century. It was held on the first or second Sunday in May. During the reign of William and Mary the mile long avenue lined by horse chestnut trees was planted by Sir Christopher Wren. The trees reached their peak in the Victorian period and on the Sunday when the blossom was at its best( See extra) thousands would attend. In 1894 over 3500 people arrived at Hampton Court station . In addition people would travel by buses,coach and tram. During WW1 the event was suspended and again in WW2 as the Park was being used as a military headquarters. The event was revived in 1977 and has been a festive event until 2020, hopefully to return in 2022. The blip is of a London Transport poster from 1935.