Among the trees of Richmond Park lies a view so treasured that it has been protected for centuries. From King Henry’s Mound in Richmond Park, a narrow opening through the trees frames the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral nearly 10 miles away. The sightline is remarkably old. Maps from 1754 show a visual corridor towards St Paul’s, and generations of park keepers have carefully managed the trees to preserve it ever since. Today, it is one of London’s few officially protected views. Planning rules restrict development along the sightline so that the cathedral remains visible. The mound itself is older still. Despite its Tudor name, it is believed to be a Bronze Age burial mound, later used as a viewpoint for hunting and falconry. From prehistoric burial place to Georgian landscape design to modern planning law, one narrow window through the trees has survived centuries of change. And at its centre, St Paul’s remains as magnificent as ever. Follow @OaksAndLions for more of England’s history, heritage and culture.