Richmond and Kew is a district of the city of London.
To know
This is perhaps the area of outer London with the largest offer for tourists. Richmond-upon-Thames Town Hall, which includes Richmond and Kew, is the only one in London on both banks of the Thames. It is a surprisingly green town hall with some very beautiful riverside scenery. The small area of Barnes it is always on the Thames on the eastern edge of the town hall.
Richmond it was once a separate city and before 1965 was part of the county of Surrey, still used however as part of the postal address to distinguish it from another town of the same name in Yorkshire. The locals still feel separated from the metropolis, probably thanks to the position that sees the river embracing much of the area, the many royal parks around and the ancient independent identity. Parks are the main attraction with the addition of the myriad of interesting restaurants and shops. The areas around Twickenham, Hampton Wick is Bushy Park they are part of the Richmond town hall which also includes the beautiful palace of Hampton Court. These areas were part of the Middlesex until 1965.
Kew it is located just north of Richmond and in the same embrace of the Thames. It is best known for the botanical gardens of the same name.
How to orient yourself
Richmond and Kew: full screen map.How to get
By subway
The district is served by the following tube stations, on the District line and London Overground lines, in zones 3 and 4:
1 Richmond (lines: District and Overground). Zone 4- 2 Kew Gardens (lines: District and Overground). Zone 3 and 4
- 3 Gunnersbury (lines: District and Overground). Zone 3
| Subway lines running through Richmond and Kew |
| Terminus ← | OR  IS | → West London → Westminster |
| Terminus ← North London Line ← | OR  IS | → North London Line → West London → Camden |
On the train
South West Trains services from Waterloo stop in Richmond. The journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes and trains depart approximately every 15 minutes. This company also serves Hampton Wick and Hampton Court stations, albeit less regularly than in Richmond.
- 4 Kew Bridge (lines:). It is served by the National Rail company, with departures from Waterloo.
By taxi
Richmond can be reached by taxi with a 30-minute ride from Heathrow Airport or Central London (traffic permitting). Expect to pay around £ 50 or more.
By car
Coming from outside, you must enter by taking the M3 or M4. From the M3 you have to head towards the center of London towards the A316 passing the Twickenham Rugby field and then arriving at the deer park "Old Deer Park". From the M4 you must exit at Junction 2 on the elevated section, pass Kew Bridge, continuing after Kew Gardens for a couple of miles.
There is on street parking available but it is very expensive, around £ 5 per hour, with a fine of £ 60 if you run out of time. Other car parks may be cheaper: try the "Old Deer Park" car park near the A316 or a small one on Friars Lane near the Old Palace.
| Streets passing through Richmond and Kew |
| Southampton ← Chertsey ← | OR  IS | → end |
Kew
Bus line 65 runs all over Kew Road. Route 391 runs to Sandycombe and onto the A316. You can walk Kew (from A316 to Kew Bridge) in half an hour.
Twickenham
Twickenham can be reached from Richmond on bus lines 33, 490, H22, R68, R70, and the N22 night bus. The R68 also goes to Teddington and Hampton Court.
How to get around
What see
Richmond
Hampton Court Palace
- 1 Bushy Park, ☎ 44 300 061 2250, fax: 44 20 7298 2005, @[email protected]. The second largest park among the royal parks, with an area of 450 hectares (1099 acres). It is located north of Hampton Court Palace and their histories are closely linked. There are herds of deer and fallow deer in captivity and it is advisable not to get too close, as there can always be cubs. Parts of the park connected to D-day are within easy reach on the Teddington side. You have to go through the SHAEF gate where there is an information panel. You should see a flagpole about half a mile marking the place where General Eisenhower had his office. If you have time or children to play treasure hunt with, there are signs with British, Canadian and U.S.A. flags. at the corners where the main buildings of Camp Griffiss stood. The early 18th century water gardens are a short distance from the Hampton Hill gate. The park is divided by Chestnut Avenue, which is Christopher Wren's grand entrance, which runs between the "Teddington Gate" and "Hampton Court Gate" gates with the golden fountain in the name of "Diana" next to the palace.
- 2 Hampton Court Palace (Hampton Court Palace), East Molesey (R68 bus from Richmond station, or train from Waterloo to Hampton Court), ☎ 44 8444 827777, @[email protected].
Palace, labyrinth and garden £ 17.60 adults (online for better prices). 
Mon-Sun 10 am-6pm, last admission 5pm. Historic home of English kings, such as Henry VIII, now open to the public. There are many attractions to keep you busy all day, including 60 acres of garden with a famous labyrinth, Tudor kitchens, the royal chapel, the great hall, the "triumphs of caesar" painted by Mantegna and various Henry VIII exhibits. - 3 Ham House & Garden, Ham Street, Ham, TW10 7RS (Bus 371 from Richmond station), ☎ 44 20 8940 1950, @[email protected]. Country home of the Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale. 17th century and about a mile upstream from the Richmond River.
- 4 Richmond Palace. Remains of an old palace, home to English kings by Edward I. It borders the historic Richmond Green cricket ground which structures have been converted into apartments.
- 5 Richmond Park (Richmond Park) (Tube station: Richmond, then bus 371 or 65), ☎ 44 300 061 2200. Free. 7 AM-sunset. The largest open space in London, around 1000 hectares (2500 acres), which is home to great bio diversity, including 400 deer. It also houses the Royal Ballet School which is seen in the film "Billy Elliot". Very popular with cyclists, both for the perimeter road circuit and for off-road routes. There are various parking lots.
- 6 Richmond Hill (From the city center you walk up Hill Rise, which then 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 includes the river, the meadows and the lower part of the hill. JMV Turner has painted a lot here.
- 7 Richmond Museum (Museum of Richmond), Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, TW9 1TP (Tube station: Richmond), ☎ 44 20 8332 1141, @[email protected]. Free. Tue-Sat 11: 00-17: 00. Exhibits on the history of Richmond.
Palace, labyrinth and garden £ 17.60 adults (online for better prices). 
Mon-Sun 10 am-6pm, last admission 5pm. Historic home of English kings, such as Henry VIII, now open to the public. There are many attractions to keep you busy all day, including 60 acres of garden with a famous labyrinth, Tudor kitchens, the royal chapel, the great hall, the "triumphs of caesar" painted by Mantegna and various Henry VIII exhibits.Kew
The Temperate House at Kew Gardens
- 8 Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew (Kew Gardens), Kew TW9 3AE (Tube station: Kew Gardens), ☎ 44 20 8332 5655, @[email protected]. Adults £ 16 (which also includes a donation of £ 1.50), concessions £ 15, free under 16. Mon-Sun 10:00. The closure varies. UNESCO site. Large historical gardens show significant periods of the art of gardening and landscaping from the 18th to the 20th century. The plant collection is second to none in the world. Since opening as a royal building in 1759, Kew Gardens have made a continuous and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity. They extend over 120 hectares (300 acres) for a length of 1.5km. Inside are greenhouses, a winter garden and various other exhibits.The temperate house, re-opened in May 2018 is the largest glass structure from the Victorian era in the world.
- 9 National Archives (The National Archives), Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU (4 minutes walk from Kew Gardens station, well signposted), ☎ 44 20 8876 3444. Free. Tue-Thu 09: 00-19: 00, Wed-Fri 09: 00-17: 00. All (non-secret) government documents can be read and photographed, after making a library card. Inside there is also a museum, which does not need a card.
- 10 Kew Bridge. Stone bridge connecting the Brentford and Chiswick areas with Kew.
- 11 Kew Green. Large lawn split in two by Kew Road. Here you will find St. Mary's Church, the Kew Cricket Club and a few pubs.
Twickenham
- 12 Marble Hill House, Richmond Road, TW1 2NL (Accessible by any bus traveling between Twickenham and Richmond. In the summer there is also a ferry across the Thames from Ham House.), ☎ 44 20 8892 5115. Adults £ 5.70, children £ 3.40, concessions £ 5.10. House of the lover of King George II. It has a nice garden on the river side.
- 13 Strawberry Hill House, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4SX, ☎ 44 871 560 9489. Eccentric 18th century Gothic house of the poet and author Horace Walpole, son of the first British Prime Minister.
- 14 Twickenham Rugby Stadium, Twickenham Stadium, Rugby Road, Twickenham, ☎ 44 20 8892 8877. Visit £ 20, museum £ 8. With its 80,000 seats it hosts the English national rugby team and is used for most international events and cup finals.
- 15 Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, ☎ 44 20 8410 6000 (main switchboard), 44 871 527 1315 (tickets). Close to Twickenham Stadium, this holds 15,000 seats. Two teams playing in the Premiership (the English main league) play here: the Harlequin FC (usually called "Harlequins" or "Quins") and i London Irish.
What to do
The interior of the main section of the Princess of Wales conservatory in Kew Gardens
Richmond
- Boat trips. In the summer months it is pleasant to sail against the tide towards the Teddington Barriers or Hampton Court Palace, or following the tide towards Westminster. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the view from the river. Some boats also offer commentary and descriptions from the audio system. The ride to Hampton Court takes about an hour and a half, to Teddington about 45 minutes, while to Westminster it takes two hours. The boats depart from a dock near the Richmond Bridge, from where rowing boats can also be rented.
- 1 Cinem Curzon (Curzon Cinema), Water Lane, TW9 1TJ (On a narrow cobbled street, which reaches the river from the intersection of Hill Street, George Street and Red Lion Street). Cinema d'Essay.
- 2 Orange Tree Theater (Orange Tree Theater), 1 Clarence Street, TW9 2SA (Tube station: Richmond), ☎ 44 20 8940 3633. Here the audience surrounds the stage.
- 3 Richmond Theater (Richmond Theater), The Green, TW9 1QJ (Tube station: Richmond), ☎ 44 870 060 6651. Victorian theater where you can see staging of plays then sent to the West End.
Kew
- Riverfront. Along the river you can walk, run or cycle.
- 4 Tennis (not far from Kew Bridge).
- 5 Yoga, Arch 2, Kew Bridge Arches, ☎ 44 20 8940 0888, @[email protected]. They offer yoga and pilates classes for all levels of preparation.
Learn
- The school Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College offers long or medium term courses on various topics, such as cooking, foreign languages, IT or economics.
Churches
- 6 The Barn Church (St. Philip's), St Luke's Church, The Avenue, TW9 2AJ, ☎ 44 20 8878 5646, @[email protected]. free. Sun 9:30. Church constructed in 1929 from the timbers of a 17th-century barn.
- 7 St. Luke's Church, The Avenue, TW9 2AJ, ☎ 44 20 8332 1324, @[email protected]. Free. Sun 8:00 and 11:00.
Shopping
Richmond
- 1 Main Street in Richmond, George Street. Here you will find independent clothing stores as well as large chains. For other independent shops you have to follow the street up to Hill Street which then becomes Hill Rise. The back alleys on George Street are full of private boutiques; two of these are The House of Chocolate, a family-run chocolate shop with a long tradition, while the other is located on Paved Court and is called William Curley, award-winning chocolatier where you can also consume pastries. Another independent shop is there Danieli ice cream parlor on Brewers Lane.
- 2 The Open Book, 10 King Street, TW9 1ND, ☎ 44 20 8940 1802, @[email protected]. Independent bookstore with a good selection of new, used and autographed books.
- 3 Waterstone's, 2-6, Hill Street, TW9 1TN (On the corner of Hill Street and Red Lion Street), ☎ 4420 8332 1600. A headquarters of the famous chain.
- 4 Producers market (Farmers' Market), Heron Square (just off Hill Street). Sat 11: 00-15: 00. Local products.
Kew
- 5 The Kew Bookshop, 1-2 Station Approach, TW9 3PZ, ☎ 44 20 8940 0030, @[email protected]. Mon-Sat 10: 00-18: 00; Sun 11: 00-17: 00. Independent library.
- 6 Kew Retail Park, Bessant Drive, TW9 4AD. Here you will find various chain stores: Marks and Spencer, Boots, Next, Costa Coffee, TK Maxx.
- 7 Lloyds of Kew Library (Lloyds of Kew Bookshop), 9 Mortlake Terrace, TW9 3DT, ☎ 44 20 8948 2556, @[email protected]. Second hand books.
- 8 Lloyd's Pharmacy (Lloyd's Pharmacy), 19-21 Station Parade, TW9 3PS, ☎ 44 20 8940 5800.
- 9 Mia Wood, 9 Station Parade, Kew, ☎ 44 20 8439-9265, fax: 44 20 8439-9275, @[email protected]. Souvenir and gift shop.
- 10 Olivers Wholefoods Store, 5 Station Approach, Kew, ☎ 44 20 8948 3990, @[email protected]. Food, health and alternative therapies.
- 11 The Shoe Station, 12 Station Parade, Kew, ☎ 44 20 8940 9905, @[email protected]. Shoes for children.
- 12 Tesco Express, 2-8 Station Parade, TW9 3PZ, ☎ 44 845 0269355. Mon-Sun 07: 00-23: 00. Small supermarket.
How to have fun
Richmond
The riverside pubs in Richmond are:
- 1 The White Cross, Riverside, TW9 1TH, ☎ 44 20 8940 6844. Mon-Thu: 11: 00-23: 00, Fri-Sat 10: 00-23: 00; Sun 10: 00-22: 30. 18th century pub on the river. Outside seating overlooking the promenade and often surrounded by water at high tide.
- 2 The Slug and Lettuce, Riverside House, TW9 1TJ, ☎ 44 20 8948 7733, @[email protected].
- 3 Pitcher and Piano, 11 Bridge Street, TW9 1TQ, ☎ 44 20 8332 2524. Large outdoor terrace.
- 4 The White Swan, 26 Old Palace Lane, TW9 1PG, ☎ 44 20 8940 0959, @[email protected].
In the city:
- 5 The Old Ship, 3 King Street, TW9 1ND, ☎ 44 20 8940 3461. Mon-Thu, Sun: 10: 00-23: 00, Fri-Sat: 10: 00-00: 00.
Near Richmond Station:
- 6 The Sun Inn, 17 Parkshot, TW9 2RG, ☎ 44 20 8940 1019, @[email protected].
- 7 The Orange Tree, 45 Kew Road, TW9 2NQ, ☎ 44 20 8940 0944, @[email protected].
- 8 The Railway Tavern, 28, 29 The Quadrant, TW9 1DN, ☎ 44 20 8948 0735.
- Around Richmond Green, there is the Cricketers Arms. The Prince's Head offers food and drink while watching the game on the cricket pitch, with the Britannia located just behind. The The Duke is a gastro pub near the Richmond Theater.
- Going up the hill the Victoria Inn on the Hill Rise, it has a hospitable atmosphere, while further up the Roebuck, open since 1730 is located on the summit of Richmond Hill. Drinks can be taken to the terrace across the street, for the famous view from Richmond Hill. Nearby the Marlborough on Friar Style Road is a family friendly pub with a large back garden and children's play area, whilst the Lass O'Richmond Hill on Queens Road and near the Richmond Gate in Richmond Park.
- Going towards Sheen, the White Horse (off the main road behind the Red Cow) is a family-friendly gastro pub with a gate onto a children's playground, while the Red Cow offers screens for watching sports and has a popular Tuesday quiz.
Kew
- 9 Coach and Horses Hotel, 8 Kew Green, TW9 3BH, ☎ 44 208 940 1208, @[email protected].
- 10 The Kew Gardens Hotel, 292 Sandycombe Road, TW9 3NG, ☎ 44 20 8940 2220, @[email protected].
- 11 Tap on the Line, Kew Garden Station, Station Approach, TW9 3PZ, ☎ 44 871 917 0007.
Where to eat
Richmond
Most restaurant chains are located within minutes of downtown. Aside from these there are many independent restaurants offering a wide culinary range.
Probably the most exclusive restaurant is located on the property Bingham Hotel which received its first Michelin star in 2010.
- 1 At Boccon di'vino, 14 Red Lion Street, TW9 1RW, ☎ 44 20 8940 9060, 44 75 3197 5303. Italian restaurant without menu serving dishes cooked according to what is prepared by the chef.
- 2 Chez Lindsay, 11 Hill Rise, TW10 6UQ, ☎ 44 20 8948 7473, @[email protected]. French kitchen.
- 3 Don Fernando's, 27f The Quadrant, TW9 1DN (close to Richmond station), ☎ 4420 8948 6447, @[email protected]. Decent Spanish cuisine.
- 4 The Dragon Inn, 130 Sheen Road, TW9 1UR, ☎ 4420 8332 1018. Chinese cuisine with very nice staff.
- 5 Gaucho's Restaurant, Riverside, The Towpath Richmond, TW10 6UJ (just west of the Richmond Bridge), ☎ 44 20 8948 4030, @[email protected]. Sun-Thu 12: 00-23: 00; Fri-Sat 11: 30-23: 00. It has indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the river.
- 6 Danieli ice cream parlor, 16 Brewers Lane, TW9 1HH (in the alley between George Street and Richmond Green.), ☎ 44 20 8439 9807. Great ice cream shop, as indicated by the long lines waiting for summer.
- 7 Hilltribe, 18 Red Lion Street, TW9 1RW, ☎ 44 20 8332 9977. Thai.
- 8 NDK, 10-12 Garden Street, TN1 2XB, ☎ 44 20 3693 9821, @[email protected]. Japanese style restaurant with karaoke.
- 9 Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, TW10 5HX (inside the Richmond park), ☎ 44 20 8940 8207, @[email protected]. Self-service restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and snack. Traditional British cuisine with a nice view from the terrace.
- 10 Rustica Pizzeria, 32 The Quadrant, TW9 1DN (close to Richmond station), ☎ 44 20 8332 6262, @[email protected].
- 11 Stein's, Richmond Towpath, TW10 6UX (on the riverside), ☎ 4420 3746 6240, @[email protected]. Bavarian brewery-style restaurant offering German dark beers and Germanic recipes, including sausages and sauerkraut.
- 12 The Thai Elephant, 1 Wakefield Road, TW10 6SD (opposite the Richmnod bus station), ☎ 44 20 8940 5114, @[email protected]. Thai.
Cafeterias
- 13 Greedies, 49 South Street, TW7 7AA (it is on a boat docked almost in front of the Tide Tables), ☎ 4420 8560 8562. Serves breakfast, coffee and lunches. Great views of Richmond Bridge if you are lucky enough to get one of the outdoor tables at the end of the boat.
- 14 Hollyhock Cafe, 146 Petersham Road, TW10 6UX (In the terraced gardens between Richmond Hill and the river), ☎ 44 20 8948 8285, @[email protected]. Beautiful location in the gardens. It mainly serves coffee and cakes, as well as a small selection of dishes for lunch. Vegetarian.
- 15 Cafe nano, 76 Sheen Road, TW9 1UF, ☎ 44 75 1495 3005. Italian café with excellent aromas and flavors.
- 16 Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, TW10 7AB (off Petersham Road), ☎ 44 20 8940 5230, @[email protected]. Upscale garden shop with an expensive lunch restaurant and coffee shop. Good soups and sandwiches in a very nice setting inside the greenhouse.
- 17 Thai Cafe, 58 Hill Rise, TW10 6UB, ☎ 44 20 8940 9561, @[email protected]. Thai.
- 18 Tide Tables, 2 The Arches, TW9 1TH, ☎ 44 20 8948 8285, @[email protected]. Vegetarian café under the arches of the Richmond Bridge. Great location with outdoor area overlooking the river. Good fairtrade coffee, fruit juices etc. Vegetarian food, good focaccia and quiche. It serves alcohol.
Kew
- 19 The Glasshouse, 14 Station Parade, TW9 3PZ, ☎ 44 20 8940 6777, fax: 44 20 8940 3833.
- 20 But Cuisine, 8 Station Approach, TW9 3QB, ☎ 44 20 8332 1923, @[email protected].
- 21 Newens (The Original Maids of Honor), 288 Kew Road, ☎ 44 20 8940 2752, 44 20 8940 5742, @[email protected]. Traditional bakery and tea shop, famous for its "Maids of Honor" cakes. Open for more than 150 years.
- 22 Rare Nepalese Dining, 279 Sandycombe Road, TW9 3LU, ☎ 44 20 8332 1020, @[email protected]. Nepalese.
Where stay
May in Richmond Park
Richmond
- 1 Bingham Riverhouse, 61-63 Petersham Road, TW10 6UT, ☎ 44 20 8940 0902, @[email protected]. Double B&B from £ 180. High standard hotel, quiet, on the riverside promenade. You eat well.
- 2 Quinns Hotel, 48 Sheen Road, TW9 1AW, ☎ 44 20 8940 5444.
- 3 The Red Cow, 59 Sheen Road, TW9 1YJ, ☎ 44 20 8940 2511, @[email protected].
- 4 Richmond Inn Hotel, 50-56 Sheen Road, TW9 1UG (opposite Quinns Hotel), ☎ 44 20 8940 0171.
- 5 Richmond Park Hotel, 3 Petersham Road, TW10 6UH, ☎ 44 20 8948 4666, fax: 44 20 8940 7376, @[email protected].
- 6 Richmond Hill Hotel, 144-148 Richmond Hill, TW10 6RW, ☎ 44 20 8940 2247, @[email protected]. 5 star hotel.
- 7 The Victoria, 10 West Temple Sheen, Mortlake SW14 7RT, ☎ 44 20 8876 4238, @[email protected]. Double B&B £ 135. Gastropub with 7 rooms.
Kew
- 8 Coach and Horses Hotel, 8 Kew Green, TW9 3BH, ☎ 4420 8940 1208, @[email protected].
- 9 The Kew Gardens Hotel, 292 Sandycombe Road, TW9 3NG, ☎ 44 20 8940-2220, @[email protected]. Hotel with 20 rooms, pub and restaurant.
