Richmond Upon Thames

Richmond Upon Thames claims to be London’s most attractive borough. With two Royal Parks, the historic Hampton Court Palace, and the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, it goes a long way to substantiating its claim. International sport is on offer at the home of English Rugby Union – the grand Twickenham Rugby Stadium – as well as performances from the heart of the town at the Richmond Theatre.

Attractions

The town enjoys a lively cultural scene, epitomised by the Richmond Theatre, which previews many West End productions. Alternatively, there is the Orange Tree Theatre, London’s only theatre with permanent 'in the round' seating.

Hampton Court Palace is at the centre of area’s long history and is certainly worth a visit. One can take tours of the grounds, learn of its history as home to royalty for centuries, and attempt to navigate the world-famous Hedge Maze.

Sports-lovers can head to Twickenham Rugby Stadium, the home of English Rugby Union. Here you can visit the Museum of Rugby that recounts the history of the sport, take stadium tours, or catch one of the many live fixtures scheduled throughout the year.

The town benefits from a large number of open spaces, boasting two Royal Parks – Richmond Park and Bushy Park – along with London’s largest town centre open space, Richmond Green. Noteworthy are the famous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, housing one of the world’s finest plant collections alongside Kew Palace.

Shopping

A large shopping area covers the length of Richmond town centre, and offers a wide variety of consumer experiences. The main shopping district houses designer stores and boutiques to satisfy high street shoppers. Close to the Green lie a series of old cobbled alleyways, with a variety of small, unique shops for more leisurely browsing.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Richmond’s proximity to the Thames means is it possible to drink and dine whilst overlooking the river from one of the many pubs, bars and restaurants that line its banks. Generally the trendy establishments are located near Richmond Bridge, with more traditional pubs bordering Richmond Green and down the old cobbled lanes. One can find many small restaurants to suit a variety of tastes, from Italian to Japanese. Food is moderately priced at around £7-£20 per head.

By night there is lots on offer in the way of entertainment. The town hosts two Odeon Cinemas sharing 7 screens, West End productions aplenty at the Richmond Theatre, and a large assortment of cocktail and wine bars. Drinks are reasonably priced, considering the proximity to London. For great cocktails in a warm and lively atmosphere, head to B@1 near the river.

Tourist Information

Richmond Information CentreOld Town HallWhittaker AvenueRichmondSurreyTW9 1TPTel: 020 8940 9125 info@visitrichmond.co.uk

Airport

Heathrow Airport lies 11km to the west and is accessible by London Underground and bus services. The airport is used by 90 airlines, flying to over 180 destinations in 90 countries around the world.Heathrow: 0870 000 0123

Gatwick Airport is situated 35km to the south and similarly houses 90 airlines flying to around 200 destinations.Gatwick: 0870 000 2468