The annual deer cull in Bushy Park starts today (Wednesday 1 September) and will last for six weeks.

There will be a second cull for another six weeks from November 1st.

During both periods the pedestrian park gates will open later than normal on weekdays at 08.00am and close at 22.30pm.

The vehicle gates will open at 08.00.am and close at 19.00am during weekdays. There will be variations at the weekends.

Click HERE for the full list of opening times.

About the deer cull

There are around 320 deer in Bushy Park, made up of Red deer and Fallow deer herds.

The deer have roamed freely in the 1,100 acres of the park since the days of Henry VIII's time at Hampton Court Palace.

In 2018 80 deer were killed in as part of the cull which the Royal Parks say is vital to control the population.

But the cull is controversial and last year protesters chained themselves to Bushy Park's gates in opposition to the process.

A spokesperson for the Parks said: "As a member of the British Deer Society, The Royal Parks takes deer welfare very seriously.

"Deer populations are actively managed to keep herds at a sustainable size.

"If animals were not removed, food would become scarce and more animals would ultimately suffer.

"Without population control there would be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition and high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter.

"Attempting to maintain too many deer within a restricted park area would soon lead to a build-up of parasites and other pathogens causing disease in the deer."

The venison from the deer is sold to top game dealers like Ben Rigby Game.

Records show that between November 2013 and November 2018 a total of 479 deer in Bushy Park sold for £71,703.97 and 1,195 deer in Richmond Park sold for £188,410.10.

The proceeds from the sale are used to maintain the welfare of the herds in both parks.

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