A new visitor centre for Richmond Park is being considered by the operator of wedding venue Pembroke Lodge.

Daniel Hearsum, who restored the mansion from 1997 to 2007, has secured more money to prepare plans for the centre.

He said: “The Royal Parks are the very best in the world and it is a pleasure to help to preserve these priceless parks that give so much pleasure to 77 million visitors a year."

Part of a recent £815,000 package from Natwest, who financed the original restoration, is going towards the preparations for the centre, which will encourage sustainable use of the park.

The Hearsum Collection, which includes 8,500 antique paintings, prints, photographs, books and other documents, will become accessible to the public when the centre is opened.