Work is due to start today (Monday) to improve the outdoor seating area and pathways by the popular Pheasantry Café in Bushy Park's Woodland Gardens.

A viewing platform will also be built for the increasing number of bird watchers and nature lovers which this area of the park attracts.

The Pheasantry café has enjoyed an unprecedented number of customers during the pandemic, but the footfall has taken its toll on the area outside the café which has become muddy and uneven.

The Royal Parks, which has responsibility for both Bushy Park and Richmond Park, describe the project as "remedial works to improve the surface on which the café tables are located and to improve the paths leading from the café to the two bridges."

The programme of work is expected to take until the end of March to complete.

In a statement the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks said: "As is apparent to visitors who use the cafe outside seating areas, what was lawn has become mud.

"It is acknowledged that the pandemic has necessitated more outside tables and wider separation. In order to avoid this extended area of usage being permanently muddy and somewhat unsafe, a new permeable surface will be laid.

"The pathways leading from the cafe to each of the bridges are to be altered to reduce footfall compaction on the roots of several major trees and to ensure visitor safety. The surface of the pathways will be improved.

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"A viewing platform is to be constructed by the water's edge."

Visitors are advised to be aware that for the next two months there may be restrictions on access to parts of these areas while the work is underway but the cafe will remain open.

The Royal Parks will be issuing their own further notices about these works and any restrictions in due course but wants visitors to be able to plan their visits with full knowledge of any possible disruption. accordingly.

If you want to keep up with news about Bushy Park you can join the Friends of Bushy and Home Park here and learn much more about the parks: fbhp.org.uk/

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