Bucolic Richmond was once voted one of the happiest places to live in London. No surprise then, that this leafy suburb of south west London is one of the wealthiest and greenest areas of the metropolis. It is home to the capital’s largest Royal Park and is a stone’s throw from Kew Gardens, the world’s most famous botanical garden. Further conservation areas including Richmond Green and Richmond Hill.
The Thames runs through Richmond, and in the summer months happy drinkers can be found spilling out from the pubs onto its banks and watching cricket on village greens in arcadian scenes. It’s an upmarket shopping destination and naturally has an artisan farmers market on Saturdays (in Heron Square, if you’re asking).
The place is awash with historic houses, theatres, cinemas, museums, royal parks, village greens, museums, galleries, and people wearing chinos. No wonder, then, that so many famous people have chosen to call Richmond their home. The list of residents reads like a Who’s Who of British public life, and includes everyone from Richard E. Grant and Amanda Holden to Jerry Hall and David Attenborough.
JUMP TO
The Orange Tree Theatre is a dynamic production staging new and rediscovered plays. It has form in discovering new writers as well as unearthing neglected works and gives plenty of support to young directors and emerging talent. In the last two years alone it has won 17 major industry awards (including 10 Offies) and offers many opportunities for locals to get involved, from volunteering front-of-house to taking part in storytelling workshops.
Richmond Theatre receives touring productions of commercial shows including jukebox musicals and star-driven classics. They also offer opportunities for involvement including creative writing courses and an adult singers group.
Cinefiles can choose from the arthouse Curzon Cinema – which screens an eclectic roster of films, Q&As and opera – and the more mainstream Odeon.
If historic houses are your thing then there are several in Richmond and nearby areas. Choose from Ham House, Kew Palace, and Chiswick House and Gardens.
The Cricketers Pub has been serving pints since 1770. It’s on the green, so an ideal spot for watching cricket, and serves up real ales, traditional pub grub, and Sunday roasts. The White Cross is an iconic spot for seasonal brunch, lunch and dinner, and a pint on the river. It’s dog-friendly and has a beer garden.
For Italian-inspired food in an unforgettable setting, head to Petersham Nurseries Café. Housed inside a beautiful garden centre and boasting its own meadow, Petersham Nurseries has been building a reputation for fresh, seasonal, pretty dishes and faded grandeur since they opened 15 years ago.
For something completely different, head to The Library Pot, Richmond’s very own board-game cafe, where you can enjoy a very reasonably priced burger, chilli, or curry while you thrash your pals at Cluedo.
Flamboyant cocktail bar and restaurant Rock and Rose has a string of awards to its name. Head there for fabulous decor, incredible cocktails, and a Mediterranean/Asian menu.
Underground: Richmond Station (Zone 4) is at the end of the District Line. Trains travel east towards Upminster via Earls Court and Victoria.
Overground: Trains travel from Richmond to Reading via Waterloo. Trains into central London take 18 minutes.
Buses: Buses from Richmond head to Hammersmith, Ealing Broadway, Roehampton Vale, Hampton Court, and Fulwell.
One-bedroom flats are available to rent from £361 per week. Two-bedroom flats can be found from £531 per week. Alternatively, you could rent a room in a shared house from £100 per week.
The waterways and open spaces of Richmond offer lots of possibilities to the sportily inclined. Richmond Park rents bikes out, and skiffs and rowing boats are available to hire on the Thames.
Richmond Hill Health Club offers memberships from £39.50 per month. They have a huge gym and two studios with a varied programme of classes.
Bhuti is a yoga, pilates, and barre studio and vegan cafe with an organic spa offering complementary therapies. Their programme of classes, courses, and workshops leans towards the mystic and includes shamanic healing and crystals for beginners. Drop-in classes are £25 ( £18 if you buy a bundle).
If you prefer your yoga hot then Yoga Haven offers drop in classes for £17 (£14 for a bundle).
Richmond Park! Kew Gardens! Orange Tree Theatre!
It’s tranquil which means it’s not jumping, it’s directly under the Heathrow flight path so it can be a bit noisy.
Considering other areas? Check out our Actor’s London guides below:
For more from Backstage UK, check out the magazine.