Richmond and Bushy Parks will be locking their pedestrian gates overnight over the next 6 weeks as the November deer cull begins.

The parks near Kingston will be limiting access to walkers at certain times in order to carry out the cull of their deer herds, which the Royal Parks insist is the most humane way to control population levels.

Both parks' pedestrian gates are usually open 24 hours but starting yesterday November 1 new opening times have been introduced.

Richmond Park will be locking its pedestrian gates every night from 8pm to 7.30am the next morning until the cull is over on Sunday 12 December.

Bushy Park's new opening times are slightly different as the park is locking its pedestrian gates from 10.30pm from Sunday to Thursday, re-opening at 8am the next day.

Pedestrian gates in the park will be open as normal on Fridays and Saturdays.

Read more about the Royal Parks' deer cull here.

Visit the Royal Parks website for more updates on opening times including for vehicles.