Bushy Park, a former Royal hunting ground, where herds of deer still wander at will was the UK base for General Eisenhower when planning the D-Day operation in 1944. It is the second largest park in London and was one of King Henry VIII’s favourite deer parks. Charles I also built the Longford River to bring water into the park.

Bushy Park has a history room which has been operational since 1995, it is situated within White Lodge at the Stockyard. Visitors are welcome here by prior arrangement with the Park Office. 020 8979 1586

The Upper Lodge Water Gardens have been re-opened to the public for the first time, after extensive restoration. From Tuesday 10th November 2009 the Water Gardens will be open every day except Mondays (Bank Holidays excepted, when the gardens will be closed on Tuesdays instead). For a free interactive map of the Royal Park, click here.

River Thames boat trips from Hampton Court to Kingston and beyond to Richmond pass through Teddington Lock. A footbridge across the lock from Ham leads to Teddington village where, housed in a French gothic style former church, the Landmark Arts Centre is based and hosts concerts, arts and crafts fairs and exhibitions.

Barnes Wallis, the inventor/scientist developed the bouncing bomb at the National Physical Laboratory and Errol Flynn began his film career at Teddington Studios. R D Blackmore, author of Lorna Doone, also lived in the area.