London/Richmond-Kew

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 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 plane

The nearest major airport is London Heathrow.

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:

Note: You may need to change at Turnham Green for westbound trains towards Ealing Broadway.

By train
  • 🌍 Richmond station. (updated Jan 2023)
    • South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo station stop at Richmond. The journey takes 20-30 min, and trains depart every 15 min or so. South Western Railway also has trains to Hampton Wick and Hampton Court stations (although much less regularly than Richmond).
    • London Overground (North London line) line from Stratford via Willesden Junction terminates at Richmond, also stopping at Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury.
    • District Line trains run from the station and can take you into central London in 30-35 mins.

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 around The Green, but it's expensive - about £5 per hour, with a £60 penalty for overstaying 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.

Richmond

Richmond has a bus station. The 337 bus from Clapham Junction, the 110, 33, 419 buses from Hammersmith, and the N10 night bus from London King's Cross all stop here, amongst others.

  • Bus 33 (Fullwell station to Lonsdale Road). (updated Jul 2023)
  • Bus 110 (School Road to Hammersmith Bus Station). Formerly Bus 391. (updated Jul 2023)
  • Bus 337 (Clapham Junction to Richmond). via Putney. (updated Oct 2022)
  • Bus 419 (Richmond to Norley Vale). (updated Jul 2023)

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.

  • Bus 490 (Pools on the Park to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 ). Via Richmond, Twickenham, Felton, Hatton Cross and Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 . (updated Oct 2023)
  • Bus H22 (The Bell to West Middlesex Hospital). Via Hounslow, Whitton, Twickenham, Ivybridge and Isleworth. (updated Oct 2023)
  • Bus R68 (York Street / Twickenham to Hampton Court Station). (updated Oct 2023)

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, ☏ +44 20 8892 9620. 10AM-5PM. Foot ferry crossing the Thames £1 (50p child). (updated Jun 2022)

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

🌍 Bushy Park. 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), ☏ +44 8444 827777, . 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), ☏ +44 20 8940-1950, . The Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale's elegant 17th-century manor house, a mile or so upriver from Richmond riverside. 

🌍 Richmond Palace. 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 (tube: Richmond, then bus 371 or 65). 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 (From town centre walk up Hill Rise, which becomes Richmond Hill). 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. 

  • 🌍 Old Vicarage School, 48 Richmond Hill, Richmond TW10 6QX. Grade II listed ornamental castle (updated Mar 2021)
  • 🌍 Terrace Gardens (Buccleuch Gardens). Overlooking the river with Bulbous Betty (updated Mar 2021)

🌍 Museum of Richmond, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ave, TW9 1TP (tube: Richmond  DIS  OGD ), ☏ +44 20 8332-1141, . Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM. Exhibitions on Richmond's history. Free. 

Kew

🌍 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE (Tube: Kew Gardens  DIS  OGD ), ☏ +44 20 8332 5655, . 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 (0.9mi) 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. Peak months: Adult £19, concession £16, students £9.50, children 4-15 £5.50, and under 4s free. Prices include voluntary donation. (updated Sep 2023)

🌍 The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU (4 minutes walk from Kew Gardens  DIS  OGD  tube station, clearly sign-posted), ☏ +44 20 8876-3444. Tu Th 9AM-7PM, W F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su M closed. 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. Free. 

🌍 Kew Bridge. Fine stone bridge linking Brentford/Chiswick with Kew. 

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

Twickenham

🌍 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), ☏ +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, ☏ +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, ☏ +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. (updated Aug 2016)

🌍 Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Langhorn Dr, Twickenham, ☏ +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. (updated Aug 2020)

Do

Richmond
  • 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), ☏ +44 1233 555644. Arthouse cinema. 
  • 🌍 Orange Tree Theatre, 1 Clarence St, TW9 2SA (tube: Richmond), ☏ +44 20 8940-3633. Offers theatre in the round, where the audience surrounds the stage. 
  • 🌍 Richmond Theatre, The Green, TW9 1QJ (tube: Richmond), ☏ +44 870 060 6651. See a pre-West End play at this pretty Victorian theatre. 

Rugby
  • 🌍 Richmond FC. Play rugby union; they were relegated in 2023 and now play in National League 1, the third tier. They play at the athletic grounds half a mile south of Kew Gardens. (updated Dec 2023)
  • London Scottish. They play rugby union in the Championship, the second tier, and share the athletic grounds. (updated Mar 2024)

Ham

Kew
  • Along the river path. Cycle, jog and walk. 
  • Tennis (by Kew Bridge). 
  • Yoga, Arch 2, Kew Bridge Arches, ☏ +44 20 8940-0888, . Offers a range of yoga and pilates classes for all abilities. 

Learn

Buy

Richmond
  • 🌍 Richmond's high street, George St. 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, ☏ +44 20 8940 1802, . 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), ☏ +44 20 8332 1600, . Branch of a big chain store. 
  • 🌍 Duck Pond Market, Heron Square (Between Hill St and Richmond Riverside), . Sa Su 11AM-3PM. Street food Market. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Barnes Farmers Market, Essex House, Station Rd, London SW13 9HG (near Barnes Bridge railway station), . Sa 8:30AM-2PM. (updated Jun 2022)

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, Japanese, Russian 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.

  • 🌍 Al Boccon di'vino. An Italian restaurant with no menu. The chef brings out dishes that he wants to cook. 
  • 🌍 Chez Lindsay, 11 Hill Rise, TW10 6UQ, ☏ +44 20 8948 7473. noon-10PM. French cuisine. 
  • 🌍 Don Fernando's (near Richmond station). Offers decent Spanish cuisine, such as tapas. 
  • 🌍 The Dragon Inn, Sheen Rd. Offers Chinese cuisine and very friendly staff. 
  • 🌍 Gaucho's Restaurant (sits on the Thames towpath just to the west of Richmond Bridge). With indoor and outdoor seating directly overlooking the river. 
  • 🌍 Gelateria Danieli, 16 Brewers Ln, London TW9 1HH (alley between George St and Richmond Green; from George St it is the alley down the side of TopShop and jewellers Courlander's), ☏ +44 20 8439 9807. Great ice cream shop as the queues on sunny summer weekends indicate. 
  • 🌍 Hilltribe, 18 Red Lion St, Richmond, TW9 1RW, ☏ +44 20 8332 9977. M–Sa noon–3PM & 6–10:30PM, closed Su. Thai cuisine. (updated Apr 2021)
  • 🌍 Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, TW10 5HX (in Richmond Park), ☏ +44 20 8940 8207. Self-service restaurant open for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, which sells good value traditional British food and has a lovely view if you sit outside on the terrace. 
  • 🌍 Pizzeria Rustica, 32 The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1DN (near Richmond station), ☏ +44 20 8332-6262, . Tu–Th noon–3PM & 5–10:30PM, F Sa noon–11PM, Su noon–9PM, M closed. Pizzas. (updated Apr 2021)
  • 🌍 Stein's, TW10 6UX (on the riverside), ☏ +44 20 3746 6240. W-Su noon-9PM. A Bavarian bierhaus-style restaurant offering authentic German dark beers and food including imported sausages and sauerkraut. 
  • 🌍 Thai Elephant Richmond, 1 Wakefield Rd, Richmond, TW10 6SD (opposite the Richmond bus station), ☏ +44 20 8940-5114, . M–F noon–3:30PM & 5–10PM, Sa Su noon–10PM. Thai cuisine. (updated Apr 2021)

Cafés
  • 🌍 The Hollyhock Cafe, 146 Petersham Rd, TW10 6UX (In the Terrace Gardens between the Richmond Hill and the river), ☏ +44 20 8948 6555. 7:30AM–6PM. Great location in the gardens. It sells mainly coffee and cakes and a few lunch dishes. 
  • 🌍 Cafe Nano, 76 Sheen Rd, Richmond, TW9 1UF, ☏ +44 7514 953005. M–Sa 8AM–3:30PM, Su closed. Lovely food & Italian coffee full of aroma & flavour. (updated Apr 2021)
  • 🌍 Richmond Thai Kitchen, 58 Hill Rise, Richmond, TW10 6UB (Heading towards Richmond Park), ☏ +44 20 8940-9561. Thai cuisine. (updated Apr 2021)
  • 🌍 Tide Tables (under the arches of Richmond Bridge). Vegetarian cafe in a great location with a large outdoor area overlooking the river and towpath. It does very good fairtrade coffee, juices etc and vegetarian food such as foccacia and quiches. Licensed. 

Ham
  • 🌍 Ham Cafe, 8 Ashburnham Rd, TW10 7NF, ☏ +44 20 3638 7084. M-Sa 7AM-4PM (closed Su). (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Hansel & Pretzel German Delicatessen, 71 Ham St, TW10 7HW, ☏ +44 20 8332 1916. M-Sa 7AM-5PM (closed Su). (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Petersham Nurseries Café, Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB, ☏ +44 20 8940-5230, . Tu W Su noon–5PM, Th–Sa noon–11PM, M closed. Upmarket garden centre with a very upmarket and expensive lunchtime restaurant (closed M and Tu) and a cafe (closed M), which sells great soup and sandwiches at lunchtime in a really lovely setting amongst the greenhouses. They have some problems with too many cars upsetting the locals so they encourage people to walk (about 30 min from centre of Richmond) or take a 65 or 371 Kingston bus to Dysart Arms pub stop. (updated Apr 2021)
  • 🌍 Swiss Bread Bakery and Café, 175 Ashburnham Rd, TW10 7NR, . Tu-Sa 7AM-4:30PM (closed Su M). A German bakery and general store selling a variety of German food items, including fresh bread and pretzels, sausages, cheese and sweets. 

Kew

Drink

By the Thames
  • 🌍 The White Cross, Riverside, TW9 1TH, ☏ +44 20 8940 6844. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-10:30PM. An 18th-century pub on the Thames, with seating outside overlooking the towpath, and which is often surrounded by water at high tide. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 The Slug and Lettuce, Riverside House, TW9 1TJ (next to the White Cross by the River Thames), ☏ +44 20 8948 7733. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Pitcher and Piano, 11 Bridge St, Richmond TW9 1TQ (Adjacent to Richmond Bridge), ☏ +44 20 8332 2524. Has a large outdoor terrace looking over the River Thames and Richmond Bridge. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 The White Swan, 26 Old Palace Ln, TW9 1PG, ☏ +44 20 8940 0959. It is set further back on Old Palace Lane between the river and the Green (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Watermans, 10 Water Ln, Richmond TW9 1TJ, ☏ +44 20 3638 9160. It serves Thai food on Water Lane, nearer the town centre. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 The Old Ship, 3 King Street, TW9 1ND, ☏ +44 20 8940 3461. M-Th Su 10AM-11PM, F Sa 10AM-midnight. A popular sports pub, offers pub grub. (updated Aug 2019)

Richmond Green

Near Richmond Station

Richmond Hill
  • 🌍 Be At One, 7A Petersham Rd, TW10 6UH. The chain wine bar also serves food. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Victoria Inn (on Hill Rise). has a cosy atmosphere 
  • 🌍 Marlborough, 46 Friars Stile Rd, TW10 6NQ. a family friendly pub with a large beer garden out the back (with a children's play area) 
  • 🌍 Roebuck, 130 Richmond Hill, TW10 6RN, ☏ +44 20 8948 2329. It dates back to 1730. You can take your drink across the road to the Terrace which overlooks the famous view from Richmond Hill. 
  • 🌍 Lass O'Richmond Hill, 8 Queen's Rd, TW10 6JJ (close to Richmond Park's Richmond Gate), ☏ +44 20 8940 1306, . M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. 

Ham

Barnes

Hampton

Kew

Teddington

Twickenham

Sleep

Richmond

Kew

Cope

Toilet

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

Churches

🌍 The Barn Church (St. Philip's), Atwood Ave, ☏ +44 20 8878-5646, . 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. 

Go next
Routes through Richmond-Kew
END ←  W  E  → West London → Westminster
END ← North London Line ←  W  E  → North London Line → West London → Camden
Southampton ← Chertsey ←  W  E  → merges with
merges with ←  W  E  → merges with → Central London


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