A dawn chorus in Home Park
Take a stroll through Home Park at dawn, as the wildlife awakes to a brand new day.
Once the hunting playground for Henry VIII, Home Park today is somewhat more peaceful.
Kestrel in Home Park (2016) by Matt WallHistoric Royal Palaces
At dawn, birds, deer, waterfowl and insects create a symphony of sound nestled next to the banks of the River Thames.
Garden Spider in Home Park (2016) by Matt WallHistoric Royal Palaces
The park has a unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife habitats.
Field Grasshopper in Home Park (2016) by Matt WallHistoric Royal Palaces
It's been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England.
Red Admiral Butterfly in Home Park (2016) by Matt WallHistoric Royal Palaces
The park's acid grassland and ancient oak and lime trees provide a habitat for a variety of rare insects and other wildlife.
Fallow Deer in Home Park (2016) by Matt WallHistoric Royal Palaces
The park, once known as 'House Park' was enclosed by Henry VIII for his hunting pursuits and has been home to deer since the 16th century.
Fallow deer in Home Park by Andrew ButlerHistoric Royal Palaces
Today the fallow herd is 300-strong and derives from the King's original stock.
Linden tree in Home Park, Hampton Court Palace by Andrew ButlerHistoric Royal Palaces
Continuous re-planting has kept the tree community thriving - with some over 100 years old.
750 acres of ancient parkland is home to many grand and enduring veteran trees – the dominant species being Tilia (lime trees).
Acid grasslands
The acid grasslands of Home Park sustain a diversity of plant communities. Some are rare and of scientific significance.
Once widespread across the floodplains of the Thames valley area, few of these plants remain today - making Home Park an important site for continued biodiversity.
The Shire Horse stables, Hampton Court Palace (2012) by Jordi Ruiz CireraHistoric Royal Palaces
Other inhabitants of Home Park include eight shire horses.
Hampton Court Palace has been at the heart of royal horse breeding since the 16th century.
Henry VIII spent vast sums to develop powerful horses to give him an advantage in battle.
Meet the Shire horses of Hampton Court PalaceHistoric Royal Palaces
The Broad Walk, Hampton Court Palace (2015) by Robin ForsterHistoric Royal Palaces
The horses are part of the last herd of working shire horses in London.
When at work, the horses can be found entertaining visitors to Hampton Court Palace with charabanc rides - a type of tram - in the formal gardens during the summer months.
They also work in nearby Bushy Park helping to maintain the wildflower meadows.
The Long Water, Hampton Court Palace (2016) by Andrew ButlerHistoric Royal Palaces
Wild to tamed
The park is by no means an exclusively natural wilderness.
Aerial view of the Long Water in Home Park (2015) by AerialVueHistoric Royal Palaces
A great canal now known as ‘The Long Water’ was hand dug in 1661-62.
Charles II ordered its construction as a wedding present for his bride-to-be Catherine of Braganza.
Aerial view of Hampton Court Palace (2015) by AerialVueHistoric Royal Palaces
William III adorned the park with radiating avenues of lime trees in the 17th century.
The Jubilee Fountain, Hampton Court Palace by Robin ForsterHistoric Royal Palaces
In 2002, the Jubilee Fountain was installed at the eastern end of the Long Water to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
A continuing place of leisure
Home Park was an important place for royal leisurely pursuits.
Today it continues its role as a leisure hub for the local community. A golf course and club house were established in 1895.
A model boat society has met in the park for many years, sailing their boats on Rick Pond.
Find out more and visit Home Park and the historic gardens in our care at the Historic Royal Palaces website.
