Richmond Park closing times?

[MKat]

I've recently started cycling through Richmond Park in the morning but one evening last week got to the Roehampton gates about 7pm to find them locked. I had no idea the park closed at dusk, so more fool me for not checking first. However, while stood there pondering, another cyclist came along, opened a small side gate, entered the park and rode off into the darkness. I didn't want to run the risk of following the other cyclist into the park to find all the gates locked shut at the other end, so turned round and went the long wrong way round.

I'm curious now though - is the park really closed after dusk, or only to certain groups of users (i.e. is there always pedestrian access and will I get shot by a park ranger if I'm on two wheels after dusk)?

 

[fossyant]

Dusk 7pm, it's dark, propper dark then.

Think you are OK, just watch out for were wolves !

 

[Mallory]

Cyclists and peds can always use the park. The cycle gates are alway open. The only time they're locked is when they are shooting bambi's mother

 

[slowmotion]

Mallory's right. The pedestrian/bike gates are only locked overnight from 8pm when they cull the deer in (I think) November and December. The place is great fun to ride around in the dark but watch out for the deer.....and the kamikaze badger...

 

[Mallory]

Also beware of the ninja joggers and skiers

 

[clarion]

Just to clarify - I think it's only the three main gates which are accessible, isn't it? I don't think Ham, Sheen & Robin Hood are left unlocked, though I've never even thought to check.

 

[Sittingduck]

You can get out of the minor ones too, afaik. I used the little one that comes out between Robin Hood and Kingston, last night.

 

[clarion]

Cool. That's good to know.

CoG, when I said the three main gates, I meant Roehampton, Richmond and Kingston. I usually enter Roehampton and leave by Kingston when I visit of an evening.

 

[MKat]

This is all really helpful - thanks!

 

[jefmcg]

As above, it's open to pedestrians and cyclists 24 hours/day. It closes at night for 4-6 weeks in November and February; check the signs on the gates for details.

And watch out: the deer come to get the tasty morsels at the roadside when the cars are gone.

 

[clarion]

Looking into this, there are four gates I wasn't even aware of!

Note on this map that the permitted cycling routes do not include any of the road from Roehampton Gate to Kingston Gate, nor the road from Robin Hood Gate to Spankers Wood, nor Ham Cross to Richmond Gate!
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/__documents/park_maps/richmondpark_english_map.pdf

Oddly enough, my most common route across (Roehampton to Sheen Cross, then over Spankers to Ham Cross, and out Kingston Gate, is an approved route.

No idea what's going on with that map. There are no signposted restrictions, though that map is posted in the Park.

Closing times for 2013 here, btw:
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/__documents/richmond-park/richmondpark_gatetimes.pdf

 

[jefmcg]

That map is showing cycle paths. Cyclists can also use the roads.

The times are for motorised vehicles only, not cyclists or pedestrians.

 

[clarion]

Further information from the same site:
There are 2 culls in Richmond Park – the males in February
and the females in November. In Bushy Park, however, the
male cull takes place in September and the female cull in
November

In 2012, the cull stretched into the first week of December. I expect the signs alerting us to the next cull will be going up shortly. So you might be able to go through in the dark tonight, but perhaps not a month from now.

 

[clarion]

That map is showing cycle paths. Cyclists can also use the roads.

That's what I thought at first, but the red dashes are along the other roads, just not the ones I've cited.

The times are for motorised vehicles only, not cyclists or pedestrians.

I know. That's why I posted it, as it's nice to go there when the motors are excluded.

 

[ManiaMuse]

It's fine, just make sure you get some proper front lights. The deer are quite active at night and are less afraid to cross the road with no cars.

Also you get the occasional ninjas who you don't want to be crashing into the back of.