Hugging the banks of the River Thames, Richmond Upon Thames is a leafy area of south-west London that’s renowned for its green spaces. It was known as “Shene” in the medieval period before being renamed after Richmond Palace, which was established by King Henry VII in the 16th century.
Things to do in Richmond
In the north of Richmond Upon Thames is Kew Gardens, which boasts one of the world’s largest and most diverse botanical collections. It was originally founded in 1820 and is now UNESCO World Heritage-listed, with magnificent greenhouses and a treetop walkway among its attractions. Don’t miss the Orangery designed by Sir William Chambers and the Dutch House of Kew Palace.
On the other side of Richmond Upon Thames is Ham House, a 17th-century estate that is managed by the National Trust. It is famed for its collection of antique furnishings, textiles and paintings, including a rare Chinese teapot once used by the Duchess of Lauderdale. Surrounding the house are formal gardens dotted with summerhouses and a cafe.
Richmond Upon Thames is home to the largest of London’s Royal Parks, Richmond Park, which encompasses 955 hectares surrounding the Pen Ponds. It was established in the 17th century as a deer park by King Charles I and is still home to deer today. Admire the Grade I-listed White Lodge and stroll through the woodland gardens of the Isabella Plantation before refuelling at the Pembroke Lodge tea rooms.
Getting around Richmond
Richmond Upon Thames is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of London and 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Underground services stop at Richmond and Kew Gardens stations while trains serve the North Sheen railway station. Buses also travel throughout Richmond Upon Thames.