| Richmond Park Ponds |
| Bishop's Pond Named after William Bishop, personal assistant to James Sawyer, the park keeper who died in 1825 and who was succeeded by his son, also named James. Keepers in those days were really managers of the Park, and not 'keepers' as we understand the term today. Over the tract of land between Bishops Pond and Conduit Wood used to be a South African War Hospital in the First World War. It was demolished in 1925. Leg of Mutton Pond First appears on maps in 1637. First pond in the park to be mapped and originally called the Pen Pond, probably because of nearby deer pen. Provided an emergency supply of drinking water for Richmond for a month early in 1877! Not recommended that you try drinking it today though. Upper & Lower Pen Ponds Flints from the Mesolithic period found around the ponds. Origin of Upper Pen Pond may be a smaller 1636 pond. Lower Pen Pond was probably the main gravel pit in the park (there being several such pits in the park, some now ponds). Both Pen Ponds possibly assumed their present form at end of 17th century, when known as "The Canals". (Present Leg of Mutton Pond originally called the Pen Pond.) Both drained in Second World War because they formed a landmark for the Luftwaffe. Water pumped from Pen Ponds feeds the Main Stream in the Isabella Plantation. Adams Pond nr Sheen Gate Named after Rt.Hon William Adam, a resident of Sheen Cottage, which stood adjacent to the pond, but was badly damaged in World War 2, and was pulled down shortly after. Paddle boats for children were introduced in 1920 and continued up to the start of the war. Still Pond First appears on maps in 1861. Is fed by a spring. David McDowall writes that it "acts as a dark mirror reflecting the azalea and rhododendron blooms in spring." Thomson's Pond Created in 1955. The one with the stepping stones and the water lilies. Commemorates George Thomson, the Park Superintendant between 1951 and 1971 who, together with Wally Miller, the then Head Gardener, was chiefly responsible for the creation of the Isabella Plantation Peg's Pond First appears on maps in 1861. Lay outside original bounds of Isabella Plantation, which was enlarged to include it in 1960. Did have water lilies, but the diving ducks put paid to them. Island in middle is called Wally's Island - not after a certain Mr Garrod, but after Wally Miller, the Head Gardener chiefly responsible, together with the then park Superintendant, for the creation of the Plantation. Dann's Pond First shown on maps in 1754. Flints from the Mesolithic period found around this pond. Close by lay an army hutted camp set up in 1938 and used successively to house the East Surrey Regiment, military- convalescents, the ATS, the WRAC, the 1948 Olympic Village (a very cramped and Spartan one) and a hostel for service families evacuated from the Suez Canal Zone in 1956. The only visible remains of the camp is a flight of concrete steps. Gallows Pond First appears on maps in 1861. Named after "Gallows", an area of Kingston Common marked on an early seventeenth century map. It probably took its name from the gallows (shown on the same map) which stood just outside the present Kingston Gate. "Ham Glen Pond" Lies between Ham Cross and the turn off for the Thatched House Lodge. Most of the ponds in the park originated as flooded gravel pits, or were dug to assist drainage or to provide water for livestock. As regards the origin of this one - Who knows? Ham Dip Pond First appears on maps in 1861. Flints from the Mesolithic period found in Ham Dip. Below the pond was the site of Loanes House, a two-storey timber framed house demolished in 1637 when the land was acquired by the Crown to satisfy King Charles l's desire for the creation of a park for hunting red and fallow deer. Ham Gate Pond First shown on maps in 1754. Fringed by ancient pollarded willows. Haunted by water-skimming Daubenton's bats at nightfall in summer and autumn. White Ash Pond First appears on maps in 1861. One of nine new ponds constructed in the mid-nineteenth century as watering places for deer. Situated close by White Ash Lodge, built in the 1730s or 1740s to accommodate the deputy keeper of the park. The majority of the information above is taken from David McDowalls excellent book "Richmond Park: the walker's historical guide". |
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