The Picnic Hunter
A 7km route through Richmond Park to our favourite hidden picnic spot, nestled amongst the ferns and fairy trees.
A 7km route through Richmond Park to our favourite hidden picnic spot, nestled amongst the ferns and fairy trees.
This route takes you deep into Richmond Park, past its ancient oaks and free-roaming deer, to a hidden picnic spot nestled amongst the ferns and fairy trees. It's an easy-going ride with a few gentle rises, the kind of route made for stopping often.
This route spends most of its time inside Richmond Park itself, so the terrain is a bit more varied than our other rides: proper tarmac cycle paths mixed with firmer gravel tracks as you get further from the main gates. There are a few gentle climbs, the park has more elevation than people expect, but nothing steep or technical, and either of our bikes handles the gravel sections without any fuss. The park can get busy with walkers, runners and other cyclists near the main gates and Pen Ponds, but it thins out fast the deeper in you go, and the spot we send you to is properly quiet. Keep an eye out for deer, they roam freely and have right of way. Expect ancient oaks, open heath and, eventually, the ferns and low light of the spot we're sending you to. Both bikes are happy on the park's mixed surfaces; pick whichever you find more comfortable, this route doesn't favour one over the other.
Late morning to early afternoon is ideal, giving the park time to warm up and the light time to filter properly through the trees where you'll be picnicking. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekends. If you're coming for deer, dawn and dusk are your best bet, though the park's rhythm is lovely at any time of day.
Every Picnic Hunter booking comes with a picnic blanket and cooler box as standard, so really all you need is food and drink. Bring layers though, it's noticeably cooler and breezier once you're deep in the park under the tree cover, even on a warm day. Good to know: bikes aren't allowed off the designated cycle paths in the park, so stick to the route we send you.
There are a few gentle rises inside the park, it's not entirely flat, but nothing steep. It's an easy-moderate ride suitable for most fitness levels, and either of our bikes makes light work of it.
No, we send you the exact spot as part of your itinerary once you book, along with Google Maps links to get you there. No need to arrange anything separately.
Richmond Park welcomes dogs on leads in most areas, though there are seasonal restrictions during deer rutting and birthing season. Check the Royal Parks website for current rules before you set off.
Book your bike and we'll send you the complete itinerary for The Picnic Hunter: every stop, in order, with Google Maps links to get you there. This page is just the teaser, the real route comes with your booking.