Every spring, the stags of Bushy Park start growing a brand-new set of antlers, at up to 2.5cm a day! By autumn, those crowns are fully grown, stripped of their velvet and ready for battle.
That's when Bushy Park in autumn becomes London's wildest show: the deer rutting season, right next door to Hampton Court Palace! 🦌
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you into the golden bracken to hear the stags roar!
From Tudor hunts to a post-war herd: the deer of Bushy Park
Deer have been part of Bushy Park for a very long time. The fallow deer have been here since Tudor times, when Henry VIII used it as one of his favourite deer parks, right next to Hampton Court.
The red deer are actually the newcomers! Their ancestors only arrived after the Second World War.
Today, more than 320 red and fallow deer roam freely around the park. And they do a great job of keeping the grass short!
Have a look at the big trees: the deer eat every leaf they can reach, so the branches all stop at the same height, about six feet off the ground. It's called the "browse line"!
Fun fact: the park's name comes from the hawthorn bushes planted here in the 17th century to protect young oaks grown for the navy.
Want to know more about the park's history and gardens? Have a look at my complete guide to Bushy Park. Here, it's all about autumn!
Bushy Park rutting season: what you'll see and hear
Follow the roars across the bracken
The rut runs from late September to early November. It's the time of year when the stags compete for the females, and it's quite a show!
You usually hear them before you see them! When I was there, I watched a huge red stag lift his head and roar again and again, right in the middle of the golden ferns.
They also love to thrash the bracken with their antlers, just to look even bigger in front of their rivals!
Exhausted stags hiding in the ferns
All this roaring and fighting is exhausting! Look carefully into the bracken: you'll often spot a stag lying down, with only his antlers sticking out.
Others grab a quick bite of grass before going back to the fight.
Fallow bucks by the water
The fallow deer have their own rut too. Instead of roaring, the bucks make a funny groaning sound, and some even gather in a "lek", a sort of group show to impress the females.
My favourite moment of the day? A fallow buck resting quietly by the water, with his antlers perfectly reflected in the pond.
Golden walks between the herds
Need a break from the stags? Head to the Woodland Gardens, where little streams run under the golden trees. It's so peaceful!
Then walk over to the Diana Fountain, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The geese love it there too!
Keep an eye out for the smaller locals as well: squirrels and crows are everywhere!
And when the sun is out, the ponds and streams turn into perfect mirrors. Bring your camera!
A few tips for a happy rut walk
Remember, the stags are wild animals and full of hormones at this time of year. Stay at least 50 metres away and never get too close for a photo. Binoculars or a zoom lens are your best friends here!
If you bring your dog, keep it on a lead. And leave the chestnuts on the ground: the deer need them to build up fat for winter.
You'll find park maps at the gates, handy for planning your walk between the deer, the gardens and the fountain.
Why Bushy Park in autumn is London's perfect rut walk
The best part? It's so easy to get to. Hop off the train at Hampton Wick or Teddington, and you're at the park gates in about five minutes!
Henry VIII's old hunting ground still belongs to the deer, and every October they make sure the whole park hears it.
Visiting London? Pair your walk with Hampton Court Palace next door for a royal day out. Living here? Make it a yearly ritual, then compare with the herds of Richmond Park during the rut.
Craving more golden days? My guide to London in autumn is full of free ideas.
So pack your binoculars, follow the roars, and let the stags of Bushy Park put on their autumn show for you! 🍂
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to Bushy Park this autumn, I'd love to hear how it goes on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
EXPLORE MORE OF MY FAVOURITE AUTUMN DAYS OUT HERE!
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Everything you need to know about Bushy Park in autumn:
Address: Bushy Park, Hampton Court Road, Hampton TW12 2EJ
Nearest stations: Hampton Wick and Teddington (South Western Railway from Waterloo), about 5 minutes' walk to the nearest gate
Rutting season: late September to early November
Opening hours: pedestrian gates open 24 hours, except during the deer culls (September to mid-October and November to mid-December), when they open 8am to 10:30pm. Vehicle gates: 6:30am to dusk
Prices: free entry, and free parking at Coleshill Road Gate, the Pheasantry Café and the Diana Fountain
Good to know: stay at least 50 metres from the deer, keep dogs on a lead and never feed the deer
Website: royalparks.org.uk
