Isabella Plantation is a woodland garden in Richmond Park in south west London. It is managed by The Royal Parks.Put Isabella Plantation on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Richmond-upon-Thames online tour planner.
Originally located in a boggy part of Richmond Park, it was labelled on a 1771 map as Isabell Slade. Slade, or sleyt, meant a bog or open space between woods and or banks, and isabel meant dirty or greyish brown, referring to the colour of the soil there.
The Isabella Plantation was established in the early 19th century when Lord Sidmouth, who was Deputy Ranger of Richmond Park and a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, fenced it as an area of woodland to keep the park's deer out. After World War II it was transformed into a woodland garden. It is now organically run, resulting in a rich flora and fauna. Opened to the public in 1953, it is now a major visitor attraction in its own right.
In October 2012 it was reported that about 40 per cent of the Isabella Plantation is covered with Rhododendron ponticum, a non-native and invasive variety of rhododendron introduced by the Victorians, and that this would be removed over the next five years.
In 2014, improvements were made to the Plantation to incorporate new direction signs, wheelchair-accessible pathways and toilets and a new shelter and gazebo through a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The works also incorporated de-silting of all three ponds (Peg's Pond, Thomson's Pond and Still Pond) in the Plantation and establishing new waterfalls in the streams, funded by The Royal Parks with contributions from the Friends of Richmond Park.
Source
Create a full itinerary - for free!
Isabella Plantation reviews
-
Truly amazing. I spoke to a few people all of whom agreed with me that there should be a charge for entry or at least some way of donating. As I was leaving I chanced on a postbox type effort where.... more
Truly amazing. I spoke to a few people all of whom agreed with me that there should be a charge for entry or at least some way of donating. As I was leaving I chanced on a postbox type effort where.... more »
-
Such a beautiful place for a stroll, vibrant colours especially during the months of April and May wildlife in abundance, sheer joyful experience.
Such a beautiful place for a stroll, vibrant colours especially during the months of April and May wildlife in abundance, sheer joyful experience. more »
-
Nice area to visit! Lots of nice flowers, they even have the skunk flower, so watch out depending no what time you go, as it may stink a lot! Around April you should be fine though :)
-
Beautiful. It's perfect time now to visit. Full if flowers! Two ponds. Picknic area. Two toilets, access with buggy/wheelchair. Perfect for kids, beautiful walk with a dog. On the car park you can get food/drinks. So worth going there.
Plan your trip to Richmond-upon-Thames
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Book itChoose from the best hotels and activities. Up to 50% off Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in Richmond-upon-Thames
Side trips from Richmond-upon-Thames
Hidden gems in Richmond-upon-Thames
Parks in Richmond-upon-Thames
Nearby attractions in Richmond-upon-Thames
Trips in Isabella Plantation by other users
15 days in Greater London
BY A USER FROM GHANA
Bromley
Hounslow
5 days in London
BY A USER FROM SAUDI ARABIA
Westminster Abbey
St. James's Park
Tower Bridge
8 days in London
BY A USER FROM GEORGIA
Trafalgar Square
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
60 days in England
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Crewe
Bourton-on-the-Water
Bath
7 days in London
BY A USER FROM INDIA
National Gallery
The British Museum
Coca-Cola London Eye
28 days in Scotland & Greater London
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Isle of Skye