Latest news with #RichmondPark
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
‘I'm an expert gardener – Kew is a world-class attraction, but here's what it needs to change'
Kew Gardens, near London 's Richmond Park, is iconic. And its most emblematic feature is the Palm House, which will be closing from 2027 for a five-year refurbishment – part of an ambitious bid by the Gardens to become climate positive by 2030. The Palm House is the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse and a symbol of the gardens' innovative history. But the £50m project, that will include temporarily rehoming around 1,300 plants, is sorely needed. It's difficult to say which is more impressive: the grandiose glasshouse, with its whimsical spiral staircases, or the plants for which it was built. Encountering the glasshouse is rather like wandering through a rainforest and happening upon a crumbling historical monument, the white iron striking against lush greenery. However, while the plants have thrived in the balmy temperatures within, the Palm House has not. The rust and corrosion is a result of the same conditions that keep the plants so healthy, and it's hard to ignore. As part of the makeover, the Grade I-listed building will have each of its 16,000 panes of glass replaced, while the frame will repainted in the exact shade used when it first opened to the public in 1848. Perhaps this decay is symbolic of Kew's place in British culture: at once enrapturing and frustrating. In its current iteration, Kew is certainly impressive, and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the capital. But in order to retain its title of a world-class attraction, Kew needs to continue to innovate. A mecca for botanists Happily, there is plenty for the budding gardener to enjoy at present. The Gardens remain a mecca for botanists, home to numerous plants that are now considered extinct in the wild and many more that are critically endangered. Alongside the Chelsea Flower Show, it remains one of the best places for a green-fingered day out – it is easily one of the best things to do with children during the summer holidays. And while London is full of exciting places to visit, Kew Gardens stands out as one of only four places in the city designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is a living monument to centuries of changing fashions and fancies, told through exquisite horticulture. As an ecologist, you only need to say the words 'rare plant' to me, and I'll be there. But if this sounds too academic, fear not. Kew has a lot more to offer than just its plant collections. Younger visitors have long delighted in splashing and climbing their way through the Children's Garden, while the wheelchair-accessible Treetop Walkway takes visitors high up into the canopy. Guests who are happier keeping their feet on the ground can find numerous walking trails throughout the site (plus picturesque picnic spots). With over 300 acres to explore, it's easy to forget you are still in London, just a stones' throw from the hustle and bustle of Kensington. It's equipped with numerous greenhouses, cafes, restaurants, a library and a gallery, meaning there is plenty to keep you occupied on a rainy day. Cacti and waterlilies One of my favourite things to do while exploring Kew is to visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Within, guests can wander through ten different climatic areas, from a wet tropical zone to an arid desert, complete with prickly cacti. The conservatory is also home to a fabulous species of giant waterlily, Victoria boliviana, whose huge pads float like boats on the pond. These are particularly special as the variety was discovered at Kew itself. Visitors used to be able to spot the glasshouse's very own pest control unit here, comprising a burly group of water dragons. These striking lizards were a delight to watch, lazing around or skittering between plants, taking their role of bug patrol very seriously. Sadly, the creatures are no longer resident in the spot – but wildlife, especially butterflies and bees, are in abundance. What Kew needs to do With the refurbishment, Kew is recommitting itself to preserving biodiversity and becoming more sustainable. Still, there's more the Gardens could be doing. I'd love to see more information around the gardens about Kew's global research projects – from seed banks in the Alps to plant conservation in Angola. The Eden Project, in Cornwall, is particularly good at signposting its work in this department, and Kew could learn something here. With approximately 2.45 million visitors a year, Kew's potential for educating the public is vast and I believe this could be better expressed. I'd love to see more interactive displays teaching visitors about environmental issues, or simply more information about how to make their own gardens a force for good in the world. Visiting Kew Gardens is a remarkable, transformative excursion: a chance to explore the world's landscapes for a fraction of the cost of a plane ticket. Once completed, the restoration of the Palm House will be a powerful symbol of a changing British institution. What began as a collection of flowers has now become a frontline in the battle against climate change. The changes to the glasshouse are a clear message that we can create a better environmental future, while continuing to preserve our heritage.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
A dog-friendly guide to London
With almost half of London households owning a dog, England's capital has adapted to become one of the most dog-friendly cities in Europe. There's almost nothing you can't do with a dog here, whether you want a cultural day at a museum or you're after a fancy dinner with the dog by your side. And it's well known that this National Park City has some of the biggest urban green spaces, from Hyde Park to Greenwich Park and Richmond Park – just remember to keep the dog on a lead around the deer to avoid your own Fenton moment. Bringing a dog into the city isn't for the faint-hearted, though: both human and dog must be prepared for busy city streets, noisy tube trains and whizzing cyclists. But come into town together and the rewards are great: puppuccinos aplenty in London's cool cafés, walks on the Thames Path, boat trips on the river and boujee hotels that often treat the dogs better than the person paying the bill. In this guide: Things to do Tower Bridge There aren't many London icons you can scale with a dog, but Tower Bridge bucks the trend and welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads into its towers and along its glass walkway. Exhibitions within the towers offer insight into London life in 1886 – the time the bridge was built – and showcase the ingenious engineering that went into its creation. Head up to the walkway that connects the two towers for fabulous views across the river in all directions, and don't forget to look down at the London buses, black cabs and pedestrians on the road below. Alternatively, time your visit with a bridge lift and you'll get to watch river traffic cruise on through as the road opens up beneath you. Don't forget to head to the Engine Rooms afterwards, where you can see the inner workings of this engineering marvel. The Brunel Museum If your inner engineering nerd isn't satisfied by Tower Bridge, the Brunel Museum has a brilliant little exhibition in Rotherhithe. It's located in Engine House, one of the buildings that was integral to the creation of the Thames Tunnel – the first of its kind to be built in soft ground beneath a major waterway. Discover the stories of the people who built the tunnel and those who tragically died during its construction, and see eccentric tunnel memorabilia from the Victorian era. There are excellent guided tours on some weekends, too. The Vagina Museum While you're not going to get into the Natural History Museum or National Gallery with the dog by your side, you are both welcome to get clued up on gynaecological anatomy at the Vagina Museum. It might sound a little left-field, but their permanent exhibition is truly fascinating and goes a long way to normalising conversations around gynaecological health. An ever-changing roster of temporary exhibitions covers hot topics, too: from the history of menopause, the state of healthcare around endometriosis, and how periods have been perceived through the ages. Don't miss exiting through the gift shop, where you'll find art, idiosyncratic jewellery and homeware inspired by the female reproductive system. Hire a GoBoat With the Thames at its heart, there are adventures aplenty on and by the water in London. But for those who don't fancy long strolls on the Thames Path or joining the commuters on the Uber Boats by Thames Clippers (which are indeed dog-friendly), GoBoat offers the opportunity to skipper your own vessel on London's waterways. You can cruise leafy Little Venice from their depot in Paddington, see the shining glass skyscrapers of Canary Wharf from the water, or pay a visit to royal residences like Hampton Court Palace on the Thames in Kingston. Dogs are welcome on all their boats, but it's probably best to never let them behind the wheel. Picturehouse Cinemas London theatres don't tend to allow dogs, but this chain of movie theatres has dog-friendly screenings in many of its cinemas across London, from Clapham to Greenwich and Crouch End. You'll be offered a fleece blanket on arrival, which you can use to cover the seat or pop on the floor so the dog can snooze away while you watch the latest releases and old classics. Expect occasional dog-themed screenings, too. And don't forget to share your popcorn. Dining out Love My Human Townhouse This café on the King's Road became the local dogs' favourite spot from its very first day of trading. Sure, there's a great menu for humans with healthy brunches, homemade scones with cream and jam and lovely salads, but the main event here is the dog-friendly dining. Expect entire afternoon teas dedicated to dogs, fish and chip suppers made suitable for canine connoisseurs, and pup cups loaded with coconut cream and topped with healthy berries. They'll even throw a birthday party for your dog should they want to celebrate in style. Dogs on seats are very much encouraged, too. The Cheese Barge This floating restaurant on Regent's Canal is handily right next to Paddington station and is an ideal pit stop for those on towpath walks. The menu is small but everything is excellent, from the grilled cheese sandwiches to their exceptionally addictive curried cheese curds. Every dish includes at least one British cheese, from the likes of Cornish gouda to the stinkiest Cropwell Bishop Stilton. You can even have goat's cheese for dessert. Dogs are given a warm welcome here with water bowls and fuss from the staff. The Parlour at Sketch Sketch has become something of a London institution, not just for its food, but also for its uniquely designed and much-photographed toilets. The Parlour, their ground-floor restaurant, serves delightful dishes all day, from acai bowls at breakfast to beef skirt sandwiches and mushroom risottos at lunch. There are brilliant cocktails and delicate pastries and cakes from their patisserie, too. Dogs get bowls of water and much fuss on arrival. Website: Brutto Come for the £5 negronis, stay for the dog. Brutto is an intimate little Italian restaurant in Farringdon with its own resident canine, Bailey the French bulldog. He's often found wandering the restaurant, inspecting the floor for scraps or snoozing in his bed by the door. He'll happily welcome your dog inside should you fancy some penne with vodka and tomato or cannellini beans with oregano on toast. Of course, there's tiramisu for dessert, and yes, the negronis really are £5. Lantana If it's brunch you're after, Lantana delivers fresh seasonal dishes with a little Aussie flair at its three restaurants in London. Expect sweetcorn fritters with poached eggs, smashed avocado various ways, truffled wild mushrooms on toast alongside great coffee and juices of all colours. They do a dinner service, too, with steaks, poke bowls and sharing boards, plus cocktails for aperitivo hour – try the Earl Grey sour. Lantana has restaurants in London Bridge, Shoreditch and Fitzrovia, with dogs welcome in all. Website: Where to stay Sea Containers Right on the south bank of the Thames, overlooking Blackfriars Bridge, the chic, modern hotel inside Sea Containers is an ideal dog-friendly base for long walks on the Thames Path, long lunches in Borough Market or explorations of the breweries set within the railway arches of Bermondsey's so-called Beer Mile. Its restaurant allows dogs in specific areas, and breakfast can be ordered to the room if you don't fancy going out. Dogs get beds, bowls and treats in the room and there's plenty of green space for morning wanderings around the park opposite Gabriel's Pier. For the best views, book a Thames-facing room with a balcony. Website: Price: Bed and breakfast from £185 per night; dogs £35 per stay. Royal Lancaster Few dog-friendly hotels have a better location than the elegant Royal Lancaster, a five-minute walk from Paddington Station and just a few steps from the large, grassy lawns of Hyde Park. They can't dine with you in the restaurant but can be left alone in the room should you need to. They are welcome to join you in the Park Lounge Bar for cocktails and an all-day menu. Book their Ulti-Mutt Stay package and you'll wake up to Hyde Park views from your bed, get a dog-friendly three-tier afternoon tea in the room for the pooch and a plush dog bed for them to snooze it all off on. Egerton House Hotel If your London city break has to be all about the dog, the sumptuous Egerton House Hotel is the place to book. Set in Knightsbridge, a 10-minute walk from the southern fringes of Hyde Park, this hotel welcomes dogs with beds and bowls in the room and gravy bones behind the front desk. But even more dog-centric is their afternoon tea experience, in which you and the dog will get your own respective three-tier feasts, with sandwiches, cakes and delicate pastries for humans and three different kinds of baked treats for the dog. Go even further and book an appointment with their resident creative, Shelley the Artist, who will paint a portrait of your dog while you dine. Website: Price: Bed and breakfast from £665 per night; dogs £50 per night. Kimpton Fitzroy It's not all about the dogs here – cats, hedgehogs and birds are also welcome at the pet-loving Kimpton Fitzroy in London's Russell Square. With Russell Square Gardens open from early morning until late (10pm), there's a handy lawn right on your doorstep for your nighttime bathroom walks. You can also find a canine in-room dining menu should your ridgeback feel like ordering room service. The hotel even offers a dog-walking and daycare service for when you feel like having a pooch-free day. Website: Price: Bed and breakfast from £399 per night; dogs stay free. Native Hyde Park The flexibility of your own kitchen is the main draw at Native Hyde Park, whose rooms and suites all come with equipped kitchenettes. There's a fridge-freezer for any fresh or raw dog food you need to store, and dogs get beds and bowls in the room, too. This property is just a couple of minutes from Paddington Station and Hyde Park, making it the perfect base for long walks in London's biggest central green space or boating adventures on Regent's Canal. Insider tips London is a fantastic destination for a spot of shopping and you needn't leave the dog behind, with places like Carnaby Street and Battersea Power Station offering dog-friendly retail therapy in many of their stores. Even Liberty allows dogs inside to browse its timber-framed shopping halls. Plenty of London's resident dogs keep on top of the dog-friendly scene in the city, so follow the likes of The Londog and The Dogvine to keep up-to-date with what's new and find out about dog-centric events. Local etiquette Dogs on the London Underground are usually a welcome distraction from the grind of the daily commute, so expect a few smiles and – shock horror – even some conversations with strangers. But know that not everyone likes dogs and so you should never let your pet harass or beg for attention from strangers on the trains. Try to travel outside of the busiest hours so your dog has plenty of space. Note that dogs must be carried on escalators within tube stations, so if you can't deadlift your lab, look out for the step-free access symbols and head to destinations with an elevator – the Elizabeth Line is the best-connected, entirely step-free line.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wildfire drills held by London Fire Brigade at Richmond Park
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is preparing for the growing number of wildfires with regular drills in London's experiencing its busiest day since World War Two in 2022, LFB has dedicated more resources to tackling wildfires in the capital, nearly half of which is made up of green Thursday, Richmond Park in south-west London saw more than 50 people from LFB, the Met Police and the Royal Parks - the charity responsible for running eight London parks - take part in an Davies from the LFB said it was a "good opportunity for staff to see how the equipment works and how arduous it is". Last Thursday's drill focused on protecting an area of special scientific interest hosting skylarks on one side, and the Royal Ballet School on Fire and Rescue's Unimog machine, which holds up to 4,500 litres and is used to spray a curtain of water, was deployed to create a fire break. Mr Davies said there had already been more than a dozen wildfires so far this year following one of the driest UK springs on said resourcing something like this is "quite difficult" because of the hot weather, but is was essential to arrange as "it's a big part of our firefighters' day-to-day job". He added: "We've invested substantially in wildfire technology, training and extra equipment."It's a risk that's not going to go away and scenarios like this are ideal." Peter Lawrence, assistant manager at Richmond Park, said the drill was "excellent... because with extremes of weather, wildfire risk is increasing".He said: "We are regularly seeing wildfires, whether that's in trees or grasslands and it does cause harm to wildlife."It was great to see the response, to get support from across the police and the London Fire Brigade and for our teams to be able to join in and really test what we can offer."The advice remains to avoid any open fires.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
St Pat's boss Stephen Kenny hopes ‘unacceptable' run comes to an end in European clash with Hegelmann
Uefa Conference League qualifying, first round, first leg: St Patrick's Athletic v Hegelmann (Lithuania), Richmond Park, Thursday, 7.45pm Fourteen months ago, Stephen Kenny signed a five-year contract to begin the process of guiding St Patrick's Athletic into a trophy-laden future where progress to the group stages of European football's basement competition would become normal practice. Nobody said it was going to be easy. St Pat's caught fire under Kenny in July 2024, weaving a path through the Uefa Conference League qualifiers only to come up short of joining Shamrock Rovers in the group stages when losing to Basaksehir in Istanbul . They were ahead of schedule. Now, following an abysmal run of results, they begin their European campaign with one goal from the last six matches. READ MORE 'It is unacceptable of course,' said Kenny before the arrival of Lithuanian club Hegelmann to Richmond Park on Thursday night. 'I am hugely disappointed with that, but at the same time I understand that everyone is giving everything.' Injuries to Romal Palmer and Seán Hoare have not helped their cause. On paper, the St Pat's strikers Mason Melia and Aidan Keena are having a respectable season, combining for 12 goals. However, neither player has found the net in over a month. It will be interesting to see who Kenny starts up front, Melia or Keena, as the former's performances against Basaksehir last August helped convince Tottenham Hotspur to pay €1.9 million – rising to a potential €4.2 million – for the teenager, who moves to London in January. On current form, St Pat's will struggle to progress to face the winners of Nomme Kalju (Estonia) and Partizani (Albania), as Hegelmann are not the usual Lithuanian opposition. 'It's a German [freight and logistics] company that took over the club,' Kenny explained. 'Traditionally, Lithuanian teams would have mainly Lithuanian players but they obviously have good investment with two African forwards. The main one is from Cameroon (Abdel Kader Njoya). 'They have a Brazilian number 10, a Japanese left back, a Serbian midfielder (Lazar Kojic) who is very good, and a Ukrainian winger so they are a multinational, attacking team.'
Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Bohs and St Pat's play out stalemate to leave Stephen Kenny winless in six matches
Premier Division: St Patrick's Athletic 0 Bohemians 0 Park life. St Patrick's Athletic turn their attention to European football without a win in six matches. The 4,919 crowd inside Richmond Park were served everything but a goal to decide in this engrossing Dublin derby. Dayle Rooney and Ross Tierney went close for Bohemians but far too many St Pat's players missed the target. As Richard Ashcroft finished his set in Cardiff with Bitter Sweet Sympathy, Bohs were peacocking their new FAI Cup strip and the iconic Oasis logo around Dublin 8. READ MORE The Verve lead singer was opening for the seismic return of Noel and Liam Gallagher at The Principality stadium, the first gig of a lucrative second coming for the Manchester band. This was no cup match though. Bohs made an exception to show off their latest piece of innovative marketing. The sky-blue Oasis gear should help fill the club's coffers when Dalymount Park is under construction. Besides the stadium DJ playing Blur tunes at every opportunity, the Brit Pop revival was never going to overshadow the football. Not around Inchicore, where there was plenty at stake for Stephen Kenny's men coming off a winless June. 'We cannot believe ourselves that we have had such a poor two weeks,' wrote Kenny in his programme notes after St Pat's missed an 'inordinately high number of chances' to leave them in a comparable situation to last season when the former Republic of Ireland manager was recruited midseason. Kenny turned the tide in July 2024 as his team embarked on a run to the precipice of the Uefa Conference League group stages. That journey begins again on Thursday with the visit of Hegelmann from Lithuania. St Pat's created the better chances in the opening half-hour only for Bohs centre half Rob Cornwall to deny Aidan Keena and Simon Power. However, the visitors should have taken the lead in the 38th minute when new signing Douglas James-Taylor blazed over a cut back by James Clarke. James-Taylor arrived from Drogheda United this week to replace French striker Lys Mousset, who was unceremoniously released by Bohemians. St Pat's should have led at the break only Power's effort missed the target before Jason McClelland slammed a shot off the crossbar. Half-time welcomed dozens of kids on to the Richmond grass to the sound of Blur's Song 2. Kenny benched teenager Mason Melia and winger Zach Elbouzedi following last week's scoreless draw in Cork while their creative force, Chris Forrester, continues to return from injury. All three eventually arrived but the sight of Jake Mulraney limping off, holding his hamstring, is not what Kenny needs before a European campaign. The excellent Power put the ball in the Bohs net early in the second-half only for a premature linesman's flag for offside. Replays confirmed the match official's error. With Dawson Devoy being smothered by Barry Baggley in midfield, The Saints seemed certain to break the deadlock. Somehow Jordan Flores cleared Kian Leavy's toe poke off the goal line. That did it for Kenny. Melia arrived on the hour for Keena. The under-21 international showed for every ball, mostly supplied by Leavy, but Cornwall held firm. Ultimately, the poor quality of St Pat's final pass summed up their season so far. Elsewhere, with Shamrock Rovers facing Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday night, Derry City closed the gap at the top to eight points with an emphatic 7-2 defeat of Waterford while the post-Damien Duff era at Tolka Park formally began as Joey O'Brien's Shelbourne beat Cork City 3-1. St Patrick's Athletic: Anang; McLaughlin (Kavanagh 75), Redmond, Grivosti, McClelland; Lennon, Baggley (Forrester 80); Power, Leavy (Sjoberg 75), Mulraney (Elbouzedi 80); Keena (Melia 61). Bohemians: Chorazka; Smith (Mountney 71), Cornwall, Flores, Morahan; Devoy, McDonnell (Buckley 71); Tierney, Clarke, Rooney; James-Taylor (Whelan 71). Referee: Rob Hennessy.
