Old Deer Park

The Old Deer Park today is an important site for sport and events. The Pools on the Park Complex offers indoor and outdoor pools plus a gym. There are facilities for football, cricket, rugby, an outdoor gym and both hard and grass tennis courts. There are two excellent children's play area near the tennis courts, which provides challenging play for the very young up to teenagers. The site was originally part of the land connected to Richmond Palace built by Henry VII, deriving its name from the hunting park created by James I in 1604. The present area is only a fragment of the former Deer Park, but still belongs to the Crown and is leased to Richmond Council.