London and Its Environs; Or the General Ambulator, and Pocket Companion…, 1820
The second largest of London’s Royal Parks, behind Richmond Park, its immediately north of Hampton Court Palace. It began as a deer park in the 1490s. At 1,100 acres, a variety of hunting lodges, homes, and water mills were added over the decades. Here is an 1819 account:
Beginning in 1771, the Duke of Clarence lived as a Ranger in Bushy House, clearing land to be let to tenant farmers to supplement his income (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000281). He lived at Bushy House with his mistress, Irish comedy actress, Mrs. Dorothea Jordan, and their three children. They produced seven more kids while living at Bushy House.
This wasn’t a super hot spot necessarily during the Regency era. When he became king in the 1830s, the Duke began letting the public access for free (Tait, 2006). Queen Victorian expanded its public use. However, it appears there was some public use including racing or coursing:
Sporting Magazine, Volume 5, 1820
Although not abound with Regency happenings, its still an interesting location with lots of bucolic delights (including water features) that deserves to be the setting of at least an assignation or two. As its mentioned in several guide books, as well, its conceivable that it was at least a minor site of interest to the literate populace.
