Access Guide
Introduction
- Pen Ponds and Spanker Hill woods are situated within Richmond Park.
- Richmond Park is the largest of London's Royal Parks and covers an area of 2500 acres. The park is a top UK site for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species including fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses and wildflowers. Richmond Park has protected status as an important habitat for wildlife and is a National Nature Reserve, London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation. Services / facilities within the grounds include the Isabella Plantation.
- Isabella Plantation link (new tab) - click here.
- Richmond Park link (new tab) - click here.
Opening Times - Richmond Park
- Richmond Park is open to vehicles from 07:00 in the summer and 07:30 in the winter. Vehicle gates close at dusk all year round.
- Pedestrian gates are open 24 hours except during the deer cull in November and February. During these months, pedestrian gates open at 07:30 and close at 20:00.
Parking (Pen Ponds Kiosk)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is for blue badge holders and authorised vehicles only.
- The car park is located to the east of Spankers Hill Wood.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can be booked in advance.
- There is/are 10+ Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Pen Ponds Kiosk.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 35m (38yd 10in) from the Pen Ponds Kiosk.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Eating and Drinking (Pen Pond Kiosk)
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located to the east of the Spankers Hill Wood.
- The bar does serve food.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is a lowered section at the counter.
- All tables are permanently fixed.
- All chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The standard height for tables is 80cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Takeaway cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
Parks and Gardens (Spankers Wood)
- The park or garden does have footpaths.
- The path(s) has a / have compact earth, tarmac and muddy surface(s).
- There are slight and steep slopes on the paths.
- There are some bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
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Comments
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- There are paths around the edge of the wood which have bench seating.
- Paths within the woods do not have bench seating.
- There are large deer that live inside the woods and throughout the park.
Parks and Gardens (Pen Ponds)
- The park or garden does have footpaths.
- The path(s) has a / have compact earth and muddy surface(s).
- The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There are slight and steep slopes on the paths.
- There are some bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
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Comments
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- There large deer living in the park, including around Pen Ponds.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There are accessible toilets located around Richmond Park, however not around Pen Ponds and Spankers Wood.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
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Comments
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- There are accessible toilets located around Richmond Park, however not around Pen Ponds and Spankers Wood.