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<< Our Photo Pages >> King Henry's Mound - Artificial Mound in England in Greater London

Submitted by TheCaptain on Thursday, 22 May 2008  Page Views: 23793

Multi-periodSite Name: King Henry's Mound Alternative Name: King Henry VIII Mound, King Henry’s Mount
Country: England
NOTE: This site is 1.1 km away from the location you searched for.
County: Greater London Type: Artificial Mound
Nearest Town: Richmond  Nearest Village: Petersham
Map Ref: TQ18607315  Landranger Map Number: 176
Latitude: 51.444931N  Longitude: 0.29482W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 4

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King Henry's Mound
King Henry's Mound submitted by thecaptain : King Henry's Mound in Richmond Park, at sunset on New Year's Eve 2005. (Vote or comment on this photo)
A much modified large artificial mound at the highest point of Richmond Hill, overlooking the River Thames in Richmond Park, Greater London. It is a condition of planning in London that the view of St Paul's Cathedral dome from this mound is never obstructed. The signboard near this mound suggests that it started off as a large neolithic barrow, modified many times over the millennia. From the top is a splendid view westwards over the river Thames, and eastwards along an avenue of trees to the cathedral.

The top of the mound, reached by a spiral pathway, is nowadays tarmacked over with a few bench seats.
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King Henry's Mound
King Henry's Mound submitted by thecaptain : King Henry's Mound is a much modified large mound in Richmond Park. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.

Nearby Images from Geograph Britain and Ireland:
TQ1873 : Richmond Park - King Henry VIII Mound by Colin Smith
by Colin Smith
©2025(licence)
TQ1873 : King Henry's Mound and the view over Petersham by David Martin
by David Martin
©2024(licence)
TQ1873 : King Henry's Mound by David Martin
by David Martin
©2024(licence)
TQ1873 : Henry VIII's Mound by Colin Smith
by Colin Smith
©2007(licence)
TQ1873 : King Henry's Mound on Richmond Park by David Howard
by David Howard
©2014(licence)

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 1.1km SSE 165° Richmond Park Long Barrow Artificial Mound (TQ189721)
 1.8km NNW 332° Museum of Richmond* Museum (TQ1774374697)
 2.5km SSE 160° King Clump Artificial Mound (TQ195708)
 3.6km SW 221° Barrow Hill (Teddington)* Round Barrow(s) (TQ16287037)
 3.9km S 186° Kingston Museum* Museum (TQ1830169219)
 4.1km ESE 115° Caesar's Well (Wimbledon) Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TQ22377151)
 4.1km SSW 191° King Stone (Kingston-upon-Thames)* Marker Stone (TQ1786769069)
 4.2km E 94° Putney Heath Round Barrow(s) (TQ22797295)
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 6.9km NNW 338° Elthorne Park Sarsen* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (TQ15927947)
 8.2km SE 136° Morden Park* Artificial Mound (TQ245674)
 10.0km NE 54° London Natural History Museum* Museum (TQ266792)
 10.0km NE 49° St Govor's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TQ2605079887)
 10.4km NNE 28° Kensal Green* Modern Stone Circle etc (TQ233824)
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 11.5km N 349° Horsenden Hill* Hillfort (TQ1618684366)
 11.6km NNE 15° St Mary's Well (London)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TQ214844)
 11.9km WSW 247° Shepperton Henge* Henge (TQ07686832)
 12.5km ESE 112° Pollards Hill* Hillfort (TQ3030068800)
 12.6km ENE 68° Mesolithic structure near Vauxhall bridge* Timber Circle (TQ30217814)
 12.7km SE 134° Queen Anne's Well (Carshalton)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TQ279645)
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"King Henry's Mound" | Login/Create an Account | 11 News and Comments
  
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Re: King Henry's Mound by Anonymous on Sunday, 04 December 2022
All of the point about King Henry’s mound are true, but the location given on your map appears to be wrong, because you locate it close to Kingston Gate and in fact it is near Pembroke Lodge, close to Richmond Gate. 51.4454, -0.2948
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: King Henry's Mound by Andy B on Sunday, 04 December 2022
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    Thanks, you're right, now corrected. I'm not sure how that happened - I've visited it many times, one of my favourite sites.
    [ Reply to This ]

Ancient Burial Mounds in London’s Richmond Park Protected by Andy B on Sunday, 15 August 2021
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From Historic England, published 31 May 2020

King Henry VIII’s Mound in Richmond Park, London has been protected as a scheduled monument, due to its national archaeological and historic importance, along with a second site in the Royal Park. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has given protection to the sites on London History Day, 31 May, on the advice of Historic England.

King Henry VIII’s Mound is likely to be a prehistoric round barrow, rare in Greater London. It later was reused as a landscape feature documented from the early 17th century onwards.

The name of the site comes from a legend that King Henry VIII waited at this spot on 19 May 1536 for a signal from the Tower of London, which would signify that his wife Anne Boleyn had been executed for treason and he would be able to marry Lady Jane Seymour. Although this story is now considered apocryphal, we do know the mound has had a long history; it was recorded as ‘Kings Standinge’ on a map of 1630. Standings are platforms which provide a view of the hunt for those not involved, and this would appear to be an ideal location for such a structure.

The area now known as Richmond Park has a long tradition of hunting, probably dating back to the 14th century. A royal palace was built here and became popular with Henry VII who named the estate Richmond after his earldom in Yorkshire. Both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I are known to have hunted here.

Today, the summit forms a viewing platform for the protected view of St Paul’s Cathedral from Richmond Park. Windsor Castle can be seen from the mound, and it looks over Whitehall. The park is managed by the Royal Parks Agency and was protected as a Grade I Registered Park and Garden in 1987.

The King Henry VIII mound has been an important part of the landscape of Richmond Park for centuries, and while part of its story may only be legend, it is fitting that we are protecting the site for future generations. - Nigel Huddleston, Heritage Minister

King Henry’s Mound is rare feature of London’s prehistoric landscape, and once overlooked trees and grassy plains where today the whole city lies before you from its summit. It illustrates both change and continuity, and has clearly been a special place for thousands of years. It clearly merits the protection being conferred on it today. - Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive
Historic England

Although it is not currently possible to categorically confirm a prehistoric origin for King Henry VIII’s Mound, the form of the monument, its location and the associated documentation make this a strong possibility. The site has national archaeological and historic importance, enhanced by its reuse as a viewing platform. It has the potential to help our understanding of post-medieval standings and their function within a designed landscape, as well as our understanding of Bronze Age mortuary practices.

Round barrows are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. Usually occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early prehistoric communities.

Second mound protected

Another feature, thought to be even older than King Henry VII’s Mound has also been protected as a scheduled monument. Located in the west of Richmond Park, approximately 60m west of Queens Road, is a possible long barrow which survives well as a substantial earth mound.

See our nearby page for more on this one
https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7595

[ Reply to This ]

New mayor of London Boris Johnson pledges to save the historic alignment by Andy B on Thursday, 22 May 2008
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Boris listens to the people of Richmond and Kingston

The iconic keyhole view of St.Paul's Cathedral from King Henry's Mound in Richmond Park has been reprieved and will be protected.

Tony Arbour, Richmond's GLA member, received an assurance today from Boris Johnson, the newly elected Mayor of London, that not only would he reverse the assaults made by Ken Livingstone but he would also vigorously ensure that there will be no infringements of the original viewing corridor.

"Boris has already delivered in spades for all those who love London, the Park and our historic views," said Tony.

"This decision reverses at a stroke the degradation that Boris's predecessor had permitted on the historic environment and vindicates the efforts made by thousands of local residents [and us! - MegP Ed] who have campaigned for the view.

To see the view visit the Save the Richmond view site by clicking here
http://savetherichmondview.wordpress.com/
[ Reply to This ]

Save The View from King Henry's Mound by Andy B on Tuesday, 17 July 2007
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Save The View from King Henry’s Mound

Thank you very much for signing this petition (I did - Ed). It attracted some 1000 signatories and has been presented to the Mayor at a meeting of the London Assembly.

Despite this and other widespread opposition (51% of those officially consulted were opposed), Ruth Kelly, the then Secretary of State for Communities, accepted Ken Livingstone’s proposals to reduce not only the view from King Henry’s Mound, but also the nine other strategic views of London. Her decision was slipped on to the Government Office for London website without any publicity six weeks before it was expected.

This is a serious setback for those of us who care about our historic environment. I fear that this short sighted decision will mean open season for developers to put up the skyscrapers that the Mayor wants and thus obstruct this, and other, iconic views. Last week I therefore proposed a motion urging the Mayor and Secretary of State urgently to review these proposals and retain the existing viewing corridors. I am very pleased that this motion was passed by the Assembly.

I can assure you that I will continue to do all I can to protect the 300 year old view from King Henry’s Mound and all other strategic views of London.

Thank you, again, for taking the trouble to sign the petition.

Yours sincerely

Tony Arbour
Assemblyman for the Boroughs of
Hounslow & Richmond upon Thames
& the Royal Borough of Kingston
[ Reply to This ]

Re: London's historic views 'under threat' by Anonymous on Wednesday, 20 June 2007
This Mound is in my view very ancient, and has to have been built over since it first was dug, and perhaps enlarged to the level it is today.I date the early first site to 4564 years ago, and its SACRED ground, since it contains both radial and spiral energy coming from its centre.I imagaine this Mound to be part of a greater complex of existing EARLY BARROWS, where perhaps Kings of the times were buried.It might be this Mound is part of a larger site or camp where people once lived in those early times, as its a place that can be defended and gives good views all around, or would have in those times.London would not have existed when the first Mound was dug,but has grown to what it is today, and this Mound should be allowed to remain as our heritage with the views it offers today...mmike.
[ Reply to This ]

London's historic views 'under threat' by coldrum on Saturday, 16 June 2007
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Through the carefully trimmed foliage, St Paul's majestic dome appears no larger than a thumbnail.

Seen from 10 miles away, London's iconic cathedral seems to hover in the distance like a mirage, shimmering in the heat.

This unique "viewing corridor" from King Henry VIII's Mound, down a specially maintained tree-lined avenue, has been a feature of Richmond Park in south-west London, since the early 1700s.

With the surrounding modern buildings carefully hidden by the holly hedging, this "key hole" view of the 18th Century landmark from the park is like a window to London's past.

But heritage campaigners fear new planning laws - introduced by Mayor Ken Livingstone and rubber-stamped by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly - mean Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece could end up crowded out by sky-scrapers.

Under the new planning rules, the so-called viewing corridor has been narrowed from a width of 150m to 70m.

It is one of ten historic views which have been narrowed...

Read the rest of this post...
[ Reply to This ]

Re: King Henry's Mound by RSleepy on Monday, 28 May 2007
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thecaptain, I live in Twickenham, developed an interest in prehistory and went round the country visiting sites before I realised what King Henry's mound was LOL - 2nd highest point in London I think.
[ Reply to This ]

Sign petition to help save St Paul's View from the Richmond Mound by Andy B on Sunday, 25 March 2007
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The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, seems determined to destroy the famous 300 year old 'key hole' view to St.Paul’s cathedral.

This protected view of St.Paul’s Cathedral, from the ‘key hole’ on King Henry’s Mound in Richmond Park, is seen along a ten mile vista through a 150m wide corridor.The Mayor has overridden objections to his plan to narrow the corridor to just 70m and there will be no further consultation.

However, Ken Livingstone is an elected official, and is susceptible to pressure from voters which can be expressed by this petition.

If you want to help us stop him then please sign the online petition.

Campaign started by Tony Arbour, Conservative member on the Greater London Assembly representing Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Sign petition to help save St Paul's View from the Richmond Mound by RSleepy on Monday, 28 May 2007
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    Huh? Why would livingstone want to destroy this historic view? What is his plan? Annoy Tories? lol - no I just don't know
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: King Henry's Mound by Anonymous on Saturday, 17 February 2007
I recently visited king henry s mound and was amazed at the view to St Pauls Cathedral. It is amazing that you can still see St Pauls and that nothing has been built in the way. the view was amazing.
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