Richmond Park: Pen Ponds and Sidmouth Wood Loop

The Pen Ponds are the two large freshwater ponds at the centre of Richmond Park and the primary dog swimming destination within it. The 8.5km Sidmouth Wood loop from Roehampton Gate uses the tracks across the open parkland to reach the ponds, circuits both ponds where dog swimming is permitted on the grass banks, enters the ancient woodland of Sidmouth Wood and returns across the northern plateau. Richmond Park has resident herds of red and fallow deer; dogs must be on lead between 1st March and 31st July during the deer breeding and fawning season, and must be under close control near deer at all other times.