Putney Park

Along the edge of Putney Heath lies a hidden gem. It’s a place called Putney Park Lane. This isn’t your typical paved London street. Putney Park Lane is an unmade road, a green corridor teeming with history and wildlife. Putney Park itself, a historic deer park dating back to at least 1274, once graced these lands. The lane, established in the 18th century, meanders through what remains of this grand estate. Imagine yourself strolling along this rustic path. At the north end, you enter from Upper Richmond Road, greeted by an 18th-century entrance lodge. The same sight awaits at the southern gate leading to Putney Heath. These lodges stand as silent sentinels, guarding the lane’s history. Putney Park Lane stretches 1,683 meters, a journey through time. Along the way, glimpses of former entrances hint at the park’s grand past. About halfway, you encounter St. Margaret’s Church. This unassuming building holds a story of transformation, from Baptist to Presbyterian chapel, finally consecrated as a Church of England parish in 1912. Further down the lane, nestled in a curve known as The Pleasance, awaits a natural playground. Children clamber over logs and hop across stepping stones. Swings sway gently in the breeze. Putney Park Lane isn’t just a walk through history. It’s a vital wildlife corridor. It connects Putney Heath with Putney Lower Common. Mature trees provide a canopy overhead. Large hollies offer shelter to various creatures. The grasslands burst with color. Wayside flowers like pellitory-of-the-wall and yellow corydalis paint the landscape. Elm scrub regenerates, offering a haven for the rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly. In The Pleasance, keep an eye out for stag beetles and hedgehogs. They make their homes in this secluded haven. Putney Park Lane invites you to step off the beaten path. Discover a unique blend of history and nature, a hidden treasure in the heart of London.