The story of Richmond Park is not just one of kings and aristocrats enjoying hunting in a purpose-built deer park. From the date of enclosure in 1637 the rights of public access to the Park have been vigorously asserted.
This antique book from the Hearsum Collection was published in 1751. Addressed to the ‘Citizens of London’, the second half of the text describes how Charles I enclosed the area of the Park and the opposition this provoked amongst the public, causing ‘the People loudly to complain’ about loss of unrestricted access. The book ends with the exhortation that ‘all true lovers of old British liberty will join in supporting such a cause’.