Walk in Bushy Park, Richmond.

28 September



As eight of us met in the Bushy Park  Pheasantry car park the sun was blazing in a cloudless sky - wonderful!






We walked through the two delightful Woodland Gardens









We then went on through the park to see the recently restored 
Upper Lodge Water Gardens and Brew House.
These improvements were financed by a £7.2 million restoration fund,
£4.9 million of which was from the Heritage Lottery Fund.



 Upper Lodge had been a hospital for Canadian troops in World War I
and barracks for American airmen in World War II.


The Water Gardens had completely disappeared beneath undergrowth and silt
but are now very impressive as water cascades from the upper to lower pool.






We enjoyed looking inside the Brew House
which once provided ale for the household and workers on the Upper Lodge Estate



Back through the Woodland Gardens by a different route



where we marvelled at the aerial roots of the Swamp Cypress trees.
We had a welcome drink and lunch at a picnic table by the new Pheasantry Centre,
a perfect end to a very enjoyable walk.

Text Jo Harris. Photos Jo Harris, Ann Renn, Liz Williams