The Richmond Golf Club is a 104-acre parkland course that adjoins Richmond Park and Ham Common. It is classified as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. We spoke with Les Howkins MG (Course Manager) who shared information about the course, its nature and the wildlife that lives there.

The course has more than 8 hectares of acid grassland, which in itself is rare. This grassland and broadleaf woodland that can be found on the estate are both protected. Wild sorrels can be found growing across the course as well as ground feeding woodpeckers and many other animals. Whenever tree removal is required, natural log piles are created. Recently The Woodland Trust surveyed the course and found there to be 4 or 5 ancient trees to be found there which are now registered on the Woodland Trust website. Buffer zones are in place around these trees. Although classed as being in a Metropolitan area there is a feeling of being close to and in parkland when on the course, which is exactly what it is.