Richmond Park, London

Passing through Bushy Park, I arrived at Strawberry Hill House, an 18th century Gothic Revival-style villa built by Horace Walpole, a prominent writer and art collector. The villa's unique design intrigued the local inhabitants so much that Walpole allowed tours to be conducted by his housekeeper under strict guidelines. His vast art collection was sold by a descendant in 1842 over the course of a week, dispersing many precious artifacts, including a famous portrait of Henry VIII.

A short distance further north was Marble Hill, a Palladian villa built in 1724 by Henrietta Howard, who was once mistress to King George II. Set back from the banks of the River Thames, the house is surrounded by beautiful riverside parkland and restored gardens. Its compact design became a standard model for Georgian English villas and plantation houses in the American colonies. Henrietta was an intelligent and witty woman who enjoyed corresponding and socialising with prominent writers, artists, politicians, and courtiers. Marble Hill became the centre of Henrietta's intellectual and political circle, entertaining influential friends on a scale that rivalled the royal court. Saved from development in the early 1900s, the house and its grounds are now a public park managed by English Heritage.

Continuing north, I crossed Kew Bridge and entered the expansive Kew Gardens (aka Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew). Designated as a UNESCO site, Kew Gardens was established in 1840. Covering an area of 326 acres, it is home to more than 50,000 living plants, making it one of the world's largest and most diverse botanical collections. Among the gardens' highlights are the glasshouses and conservatories showcasing plants from around the world. King George III's stately home, Kew Palace, is located on the northern edge, while in the centre is the Treetop Walkway affording sweeping views of the gardens. Many hours could be spent wandering these beautifully landscaped gardens dotted with glasshouses, lakes, themed gardens, a pagoda, and former royal homes.

Exiting Lion Gate, I strolled to Richmond Park, one of London's eight Royal Parks. It's pretty extensive, with an area covering 2,500 acres. The park is most famous for the red and fallow deer that can be seen grazing in the open grasslands. Another major attraction is King Henry's Mound. This steep mound is a prehistoric burial chamber from the Bronze Age that was later used as a viewpoint for hunting and falconry. Today, it offers a fabulous view of the Thames Valley to the west and St Paul's Cathedral to the east.

I took a lovely walk through Isabella Plantation to enjoy the tranquility of the woodland garden and the burst of colour emanating from the evergreen azaleas. I sat on a bench under a shady tree next to Thomson's Pond for a rest before I continued towards Wimbledon.