The London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames is a charming town, and a very expensive area to live, with close links to central London. It has a mix of quirky laneways; riverfront walks and natural beauty.
You can find plenty of things to do in Richmond, and for tourists it offers a more local side of things, whilst still being an interesting place to explore. I took my Aussie partner around here and he loved the ‘old worldly’ streets and buildings.
You will also find plenty of pubs, cafes, restaurants, clothing shops, ice cream parlours and more, along the high street. So, let’s get to it shall we? Here are 8 things to do in Richmond UK.
Explore Richmond’s laneways and shops
Spend some time here, wandering around the antique shops, and little hidden gems you will find down the winding laneways. For anyone who is coming from overseas, I am sure you will love the quaint and English feel about the cobbled streets and architecture.
Chill Out on Richmond Green
I sat here in both the morning and late afternoon, and both were lovely times of the day- mostly as there was beautiful sunshine! This is a great place to sit and chat with a friend, people watch, read a book, or simply soak up the atmosphere.
Go for a Riverside Walk
The riverside provides a lovely, picturesque walk along to river Thames, with shops, greenery and pop-up stalls dotted along the way. Along the way by the riverside is the Richmond Museum, which is free entry and provides an insight into the local history.
Have a Picnic in Richmond Park
One of the best things to do in Richmond is to explore Richmond park– it is huge! The Park covers 2500 acres, and there are many areas from gorgeous displays of flowers, wide open lawns, woodland sections, cycle trails, a tearoom, and a golf course.
Richmond Park is popular with locals and tourists and is the place to come for a picnic on a warm summer’s day. Walk up to the lookout point and you can see stunning views of central London in the distance. The Park is also known for its wild herds of stags and deer. They are fairly tame, but I would advise to keep a bit of a distance- they are wild animals after all!
| More from London: Best Walks in London: Hampstead |
Check out Nearby Kew Gardens
Another one of the best things to do in Richmond is a visit to Kew Gardens, which is really close by. This could take you the whole day if you are into nature/ gardens and is quite pricey- but definitely worth it. The gardens are massive and there are so many different areas and climates showcasing various types of plants and flowers.
Climb up the tower to get some amazing views over London and beyond, or take a walk on the walkway above ground, to get a bird’s eye view of the trees.
Hire a Row Boat
If you are feeling a little adventurous, why not hire out a rowboat, and paddle yourself along the Thames?! This is a great way to see the town from a different side and to sit and take in the tranquillity of floating down the river. Boats can be hired from the side of the river, and for those who do not like water, you can also hire out bicycles too.
Grab some Healthy Snacks at the Food Market
If you are into healthy eating, then head to whole foods market in Richmond to grab some healthy organic snacks for the day. They do some great takeaway salads for the road too. They also serve coffee and have a selection of eateries of you want to sit in for lunch.
For those who don’t care about healthy, there are ice cream shops, burger joints, and all other kinds of eateries on the main street!
Grab a Coffee!
There are several independent coffee shops dotted around Richmond, and if you are a coffee lover you will want to find a speciality coffee shop, or you may be disappointed! Thankfully, there are a number to choose from, and they all have lovely laneway lookouts, or you could take it to the green and watch life go by!
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4 Comments
I’ve been to London several times but haven’t explored this part of it before. I’ve definitely heard of Richmond, and your post has made me want to visit it now – it looks so pretty!
always good to explore a more local side 😛
I lived in England before and I didn’t have the chance to visit Richmond – what a shame! I am starting to plan a trip to England soon, and I am saving this as I need to visit next time.
yes! definately 🙂