Diana Fountain

It was another hot and humid day. The promised rain did not materialise. We joined the Richmond train at 2:16pm but boarded one carriage short of where P & W were sitting. As we couldn’t swap between carriages because of a baby buggy blocking the interconnecting door, we made a quick switch on the platform at New Malden to make the short journey to Hampton Wick. I don’t remember ever having alighted at Hampton Wick before. It’s only a short walk to Bushy Park. 

Bushy Park was new to me and it was splendid in the afternoon sunshine. It was created for Royal sports and retains a Royal Parks designation. We entered via the Hampton Wick gate and took a lovely stroll alongside the ponds. Somebody said that this was the home of the original Parkrun (October 2004) but I am not sure it means I have completed one. 

There were lots of deer around and they seem much tamer than their Richmond Park cousins. They did not seem to frightened of people and there were several who approach groups of people sitting on benches; I assume the deer were looking to be fed. There are plenty of signs saying that there is sufficient natural food for them to eat in the park. It was most amusing to see a small number of deer in the water. We assume there were cooling off as Feb temperature reach almost 30°. 

After a pit stop for coffee we made our way to the Diana fountain in the middle of the park. It a fountain in the middle of a lake, originally commissioned by Charles I for Somerset House in central London but moved, via nearby Hampton Court, here in 1713. Very impressive. 

We walked around and then down one of the fabulous tree-lined avenues to exit the park near Teddington station. We really had only seen a fraction of the place which is good as it gives us reasons to return. 

Then we walked through Richmond. The streets were quite busy but we, first, made our way to the river and then climbed up so that we could take in the views for Richmond Hill. PY managed to find a photo that we’d been here in early 2020 but I don’t remember the very impressive views across Surrey. The river meandered off into the distance while to one side the planes were on direct approach to Heathrow. There were plenty of people sat on the hill with picnics but we times it right and found an unoccupied bench. Drinks were bought at The Roebuck pub and brought outside in plastic glasses. We have a lovely hour chatting and staring out at the view.