London/Richmond-Kew

London/Richmond-Kew

Location of the Richmond-Kew area in London Richmond-Kew is a district in south-west London. This is perhaps the area of outer London with the most to offer visitors.

Understand

The view from Richmond Hill, Richmond The London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, which includes Richmond and Kew, is the only borough in London on both banks of the River Thames. This is a leafy and surprisingly rural borough with some lovely riverside scenery. The small area of Barnes is by the Thames at the eastern edge of the borough.

Richmond used to be a separate town and before 1965 a part of the county of Surrey. Surrey is still used as part of the postal address to distinguish it from the other town called Richmond in Yorkshire. The local inhabitants often view themselves (as do others) as something vaguely separate from the metropolis as a whole. This is perhaps due to Richmond's location on a large loop of the River Thames which surrounds most of the area, its enveloping by several vast royal parks and its previously independent identity. The parks are a major attraction for visitors as are the myriad of fine restaurants and interesting shopping. The areas north of the Thames around Twickenham, Hampton Wick and Bushy Park are part of Richmond borough and include the magnificent royal palace of Hampton Court. They were part of Middlesex until 1965 and Middlesex is still sometimes used for their postal addresses.

Located just to the north of Richmond and in the same loop of the Thames, Kew is mostly known for the world famous gardens of the same name. It is also home to some fine Victorian architecture.

Get in

By tube

The district is served by the following tube stations all on the District line and the London Overground, in either Zone 3 or 4:

By train

By taxi

Richmond is accessible by taxi in about 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport or from central London depending on traffic conditions - you can expect to pay about £50 or more for the fare.

By car

If you are driving yourself, then from outside London you want to come in on the M3 or the M4. From the M3 head towards Central London onto the A316 past Twickenham Rugby Ground until you get to the Old Deer Park. From the M4 leave at Junction 2 on the elevated section, cross Kew Bridge and keep going past Kew Gardens for a couple of miles.

There is a fair amount of on-street parking, especially round The Green, but it's expensive - about £5 per hour, with a £60 penalty for over staying your time. The main off-street car parks are slightly cheaper: try the big Old Deer Park car park down by the A316, or the smaller one tucked away down Friars Lane near the Old Palace.

By bus

Richmond

Richmond has a bus station. The 337 bus from Clapham Junction, the 391, 33, 419 buses from Hammersmith, and the N10 night bus from London King's Cross all stop here, amongst others.

  • Bus 337. Clapham Junction to Richmond via Putney. 2022-10-17

Kew

Kew can be reached from Richmond and vice versa via the 65 or 391 bus from outside Richmond station.

Twickenham

Travel between Richmond and Twickenham is possible via the 33, 490, H22, R68, R70, and the N22 night bus.

By boat

There are no regular boat services to Richmond from central London, but in the summer a service runs to/from Hampton Court, and pleasure boats can be hired by the hour near Richmond Bridge.

Get around

Ham

Hammerton's Ferry, 51.44691°, -0.31461°, +44 20 8892 9620. 10AM-5PM. Foot ferry crossing the Thames £1 (50p child) 2022-06-24

Kew

The 65 bus runs the length of the Kew Rd, and the 391 runs up Sandycombe and A316 roads. An active person could walk the length of Kew (from A316 to Kew Bridge) in half an hour.

Twickenham

Within the area, Twickenham can be reached from Richmond via the buses 33, 490, H22, R68, R70, and N22 night bus. The R68 also goes on to Teddington and Hampton Court.

See

Richmond

Hampton Court Palace

Bushy Park, 51.412778°, -0.338056°. The second largest of the London Royal Parks, covering an area of 450 hectares (1,099 acres). Lying north of Hampton Court Palace, the history of the park is inextricably linked to the palace, yet it has always had its own distinct rural character. There are herds of both Red Deer and Fallow Deer, they are wild but usually safe, just don't go too close or get between a hind and its calf. The D-Day linked bits are easiest found from the Teddington side. Go through SHAEF gate and there is an information board. You should be able to spot a flagpole a hundred yards into the park, this marks the spot where General Eisenhower had his office, if you have time, or children who are up for a challenge, there are bronze markers with combined British and Canadian and US flags at the corners where the main buildings of Camp Griffiss were. The partially restored early 18th-century baroque water gardens are a short walk from the Hampton Hill gate. The park is subdivided by Chestnut Avenue, Christopher Wren's grand approach to Hampton Court Palace which runs from Teddington Gate to Hampton Court Gate and with the gilded Diana fountain closer to the Palace end (you may have seen it as location for the finish line of some of the cycling events at the 2012 Olympics).

Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey (Bus R68 from Richmond Station, or by rail from London Waterloo to Hampton Court), 51.403573°, -0.337913°, +44 8444 827777, hamptoncourt@hrp.org.uk. Daily 10AM-6PM, last admission 5PM. Historic home to English kings such as Henry VIII, now open to the public. There are many attractions which can occupy a whole day visit, including 60 acres of gardens with the famous maze, the Tudor kitchens, the Chapel Royal, the Great Hall, Mantegna's Triumphs of Caesar paintings, and various exhibitions about Henry VIII. Palace, maze & garden £17.60 adult (cheaper rates online)

Ham House & Garden, Ham St, Ham, TW10 7RS (Bus 371 from Richmond Bus Station), 51.444267°, -0.314014°, +44 20 8940-1950, hamhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk. The Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale's elegant 17th-century manor house, a mile or so upriver from Richmond riverside.

Richmond Palace, 51.460389°, -0.310219°. Remains of the once-magnificent palace, home to English kings since Edward I, adjoins Richmond Green, a pleasant open green space and historic cricket ground. Only the Gate House and Wardrobe, now converted into flats, remain.

Richmond Park, 51.449444°, -0.273889°. 7AM-dusk. The largest open space in London, covering almost 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and home to a huge array of wildlife, including 400 wild deer. Also contains the lush Isabella Plantation, which is full of trees and flowers, and the Royal Ballet School, seen in the film Billy Elliot. Popular with cyclists, both for the on-road perimeter circuit and the off-road trails. There are several car parks for walkers and picnickers. Free

Richmond Hill, 51.452917°, -0.299361°. The view from the top of the hill (between Friar Stile Road and Nightingale Lane) is protected by an act of parliament and takes in the river, the meadows at the bottom of the hill. Much painted by JMW Turner. Well worth the short walk up the hill and it is on the way to Richmond Park if you are walking from the town.

Museum of Richmond, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ave, TW9 1TP (tube: ), 51.45884°, -0.30653°, +44 20 8332-1141, museumofrichmond@btconnect.com. Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM. Exhibitions on Richmond's history. Free

Kew

The Temperate House at Kew Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 51.4790°, -0.2927°, +44 20 8332-5655, info@kew.org. Open from 10AM everyday, closing times vary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these extensive, historic and beautiful gardens feature elements illustrating significant periods of garden and landscape art from the 18th to the 20th centuries, and a plant collection second to none in the world. Since their creation as a royal estate in 1759, Kew Gardens (as they are commonly known) have made a significant and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany. The gardens cover 120 hectares (300 acres) and are over 1.5 km long. They contain glasshouses, a conservatory, and numerous installations of buildings, art and of course exotic plant species. The Temperate House, which reopened in May 2018, is the largest surviving Victorian glass structure in the world. Adult £16 (including £1.50 voluntary Gift Aid donation), concession £15, children 16 and under free 2018-05-06

{{see | name=The National Archives | alt= | url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk | email= | address=Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU | lat=51.481476 | long=-0.280087 | directions=4 minutes walk from tube station, clearly sign-posted | phone=+44 20 8876-3444 | tollfree= | hours=Tu Th 9AM-7PM, W F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su M closed | price=Free | wikipedia=The National Archives (United Kingdom) | image=National Archives 2007 02 03.JPG | wikidata=Q392703 | content=All non-classified government documents can be read and photographed here, with a (free) reader's card having been obtained. There is also a small museum, which does not require the card to access. }}

Kew Bridge, 51.486944°, -0.2875°. Fine stone bridge linking Brentford/Chiswick with Kew.

Kew Green, 51.48458°, -0.28846°. Large lawn, split in two by Kew Rd, with St. Mary's Church, Kew Cricket Club and pubs set on or near it.

Twickenham

Strawberry Hill House Marble Hill House, Richmond Rd, TW1 2NL (any bus that that goes between Twickenham and Richmond will pass this; there is also a summer time ferry across the Thames from Ham House), 51.449444°, -0.313333°, +44 20 8892-5115. Was home to King George II's mistress, with well-manicured lawns by the riverside. Admission=Free, as of 2022

Strawberry Hill House, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4SX, 51.438°, -0.335114°, +44 871-560-9489. Erratic hours, phone to check. Eccentric Gothic home of 18th-century poet and author, Horace Walpole, son of England's first prime minister.

Twickenham, Twickenham Stadium, Rugby Rd, Twickenham, 51.456111°, -0.341667°, +44 20 8892-8877. Twickenham, which seats over 80,000, is the home of the England national rugby team, and is used mostly for major internationals and cup finals. Tour the stadium and visit the Museum of Rugby. Check their website to avoid being turned away on match days. tour £20, museum £8 2016-08-08

Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Langhorn Dr, Twickenham, 51.450278°, -0.344167°, +44 20 8410-6000 (main switchboard), +44 871-527-1315 (tickets). Across the road from the main Twickenham Stadium is this smaller stadium (capacity about 15,000) known as "The Stoop". It's home to two teams both playing rugby union (15-a-side) in the Premiership, the top tier of the game in England. These are Harlequin FC, usually called "Harlequins" or simply "Quins", and London Irish. They both often qualify for European competitions. 2020-08-03

Do

Interior of main section of Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens

Richmond

  • Richmond RFC play rugby union in the Championship, the second tier. They play at the athletic grounds half a mile south of Kew Gardens.
  • London Scottish Rugby also play in the Championship and share the athletic grounds.
  • Boat ride. In summer months, either upriver to Teddington Locks or Hampton Court Palace, or downriver to Westminster, offers a good way to relax while enjoying the riverside scenery. Some boats offer a commentary service. The boat ride to Hampton Court takes about an hour and a half, to Teddington Locks about 45 min, and to Westminster about two hours. Boats depart from a dock close to Richmond bridge. You can also hire rowing boats next to the bridge.
  • Curzon Cinema, 3 Water Ln, Richmond TW9 1TJ (a narrow cobbled street which runs down to the river at the crossroads of Hill St, George St and Red Lion St), 51.459215°, -0.306985°, +44 1233 555644. Arthouse cinema.
  • Orange Tree Theatre, 1 Clarence St, TW9 2SA (tube: Richmond), 51.464336°, -0.301063°, +44 20 8940-3633. Offers theatre in the round, where the audience surrounds the stage.
  • Richmond Theatre, The Green, TW9 1QJ (tube: Richmond), 51.4621°, -0.30381°, +44 870 060 6651. See a pre-West End play at this pretty Victorian theatre.

Ham

Kew

Learn

Buy

Richmond

  • Richmond's high street, George St, 51.4613°, -0.3034°. Contains a few boutique clothing stores and all the standard high street chains, such as Habitat, Marks & Spencer's, WH Smith, Boots, and Robert Dyas. For more boutique clothes shops, such as Matches, and small art galleries and antiques shops, follow the road up the hill called Hill St, which turns into Hill Rise. The alleys off George Street are lined with mostly privately owned boutiques. Two of these are purveyors of fine chocolates: one is The House of Chocolate located on the corner of Brewers Lane, a long-standing family-run business; the other, a stone's throw to the west on Paved Court, is William Curley, a chocolatier whose award-winning fare, together with pastries and hot drinks, can be consumed on the premises. Another independent shop is Gelateria Danieli, selling gelato ice cream, located on Brewers Lane, which Time Out has listed as one of the best ice cream parlours in London.
  • The Open Book, 10 King Street, Richmond-Upon-Thames, TW9 1ND, 51.45995°, -0.30684°, +44 20 8940 1802, theopenbook@btconnect.com. Independent bookshop. Rather cramped, but stacked with a very good selection of new books, including signed copies.
  • Waterstones, 2-6 Hill Street, Richmond, TW9 1TN (On the corner of Hill and Red Lion Sts), 51.459447°, -0.306002°, +44 20 8332 1600, richmond@waterstones.com. Branch of a big chain store.
  • Duck Pond Market, Heron Square (Between Hill St and Richmond Riverside), 51.45837°, -0.306271°, hello@duckpondmarkets.com. Sa Su 11AM-3PM. Street food Market. 2019-08-03
  • Barnes Farmers Market, Essex House, Station Rd, London SW13 9HG (near Barnes Bridge railway station), 51.47302°, -0.24768°, barnesfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Sa 8:30AM-2PM. 2022-06-24

Kew

Eat

Richmond

Most of the major restaurant chains can be found within a few minutes of the town centre. Aside from those, there are plenty of privately owned restaurants with culinary offerings from all around the world, including German, Japan, Russia and Spanish.

Possibly the most upscale of Richmond's restaurants is located at the Bingham Hotel, which was awarded its first Michelin star in 2010.

Cafés

Ham

Kew

Drink

Richmond

By the Thames

The White Cross - geograph 1179046

Richmond Green

Near Richmond Station

Orange Tree

Richmond Hill

The Marlborough

Ham

Barnes

Hampton

Kew

Greyhound (2995066792)

Teddington

Twickenham

Sleep

May in Richmond Park

Richmond

Kew

Connect

Cope

Toilet

Public Disabled Toilet, Whittaker Ave, Richmond upon Thames TW9 1TP (north-west corner of the Richmond Old Town Hall), 51.45885°, -0.30676°. M-Sa 10:30AM-2:30PM. Free 2021-03-28

Churches

The Barn Church (St. Philip's), Atwood Ave, +44 20 8878-5646, janlewison@aol.com. Service Su 9:30AM. Church constructed in 1929 from the timbers of a 17th-century barn. Free

St. Luke's Church, The Avenue. Service Su 8AM and 11AM. Free

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