A new archaeology project will explore the forgotten network of historic waterways beneath Richmond Park as part of efforts to protect the Royal Park's landscape for future generations.

The Royal Parks charity has launched the Lost Waterways of the Royal Parks, a three-year project investigating underground conduits, wells, reservoirs and tunnels hidden beneath Richmond Park, Bushy Park and Greenwich Park.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from the Friends of Richmond Park, Friends of Bushy Park and Friends of Greenwich Park, the initiative aims to improve understanding of the parks' historic water systems and how they can be preserved as the effects of climate change become more significant.

Archaeologist Andrew Mayfield has been appointed to lead the project, overseeing research as well as community engagement activities.

The project will focus on the historic infrastructure that once supplied water to royal residences, including the former Richmond Palace and the Palace of Greenwich, uncovering a largely unseen part of the parks' history.

The findings will help inform future management of the parks while offering local residents, schools and volunteers the opportunity to get involved through guided walks, community excavations, learning activities and digital experiences.

Andrew Mayfield, archaeologist at The Royal Parks, said: "Many of the Royal Parks' most fascinating stories lie beneath the surface.

"Thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Friends, the Lost Waterways project will help us better understand and protect these historic water systems while giving local communities new opportunities to discover the archaeology and history that have shaped the parks over hundreds of years."

advertisement

To mark the launch, Mr Mayfield will lead a free guided walk in Richmond Park as part of the Council for British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology.

The walk, taking place at 2pm on Saturday 1 August, will explore the relationship between archaeology and nature, highlighting how historic water systems have helped shape the landscape visitors see today.

The Lost Waterways project will run until 2029, beginning in Richmond Park before moving on to Bushy Park and Greenwich Park.