28 Things to do in Richmond, London guide (2023)

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Nestled on the banks of the Thames in west London, Richmond is a riverside gem with many things to do including historic houses, superb shopping and one of London’s biggest green spaces (with deer freely roaming around!).

From the wonderful woodland delights of the Isabella Plantation to the riverside views and historic lane ways along the High Street, there are so many things to do in Richmond, London.

The best things to do in Richmond, London - travel guide

Easily accessible from central London and Heathrow Airport, Richmond is one of our favourite waterside spots in West London. Better still, there are numerous pubs, bars and riverside restaurants – you can even have a pint at TV’s Ted Lasso pub. Cheers!

Here is our 2023 guide to the top things to do in Richmond, London:

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Table of Contents

Accommodation in Richmond

NOX Richmond
Stylish modern hotel located near the river. Rooms include a fully equipped kitchenette.

Bingham Riverhouse
Elegant boutique hotel overlooking the river Thames set in a Victorian townhouse. Rooms have Art Deco inspired furnishings, 4-poster beds and built-in sound system.

Richmond Riverside
Modern apartments located in an elegant Victorian townhouse next to the river Thames. Some apartments include private patios or balconies with river views.

Harbour Hotel Richmond
Highly rated hotel set inside an elegant Georgian country house next to Richmond Park. Facilities include an award-winning restaurant, swimming pool and outdoor spa area with hot tubs.

Things to do in Richmond

1. Richmond Park

One of London’s eight Royal Parks with a whopping 2500 acres of parkland to explore, Richmond Park is a peaceful place to roam or cycle around for hours at a time without a care in the world.

If you’re lucky, you’ll also encounter the park’s most famous inhabitants, the deer who roam around freely (and can often be spotted snoozing in the shade). The last time we visited, the Park Deer set themselves up in the paddock next to the Pen Pond Cafe.

Even if you don’t have a car or bicycle, Richmond Park is walkable from the High Street and / or main train station.

The best route to the park is via Richmond Hill Road, so you can also enjoy the Richmond Hill Viewpoint on your walk up.

If you are only visiting for a short time, this would be our number 1 thing to do in Richmond, west London.

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2. Richmond Green

Popular with picnicking families (and weekend cricketers), Richmond Green is one of the prettiest parks in the whole of London.

Nestled amongst the Victorian splendour of Richmond and surrounded by old buildings and pubs, Richmond Green has been a focal point of the area since the Middle Ages, when jousting tournaments were often held here.

The best things to do in Richmond, London - travel guide. Richmond Green

Given how gorgeous it is, the Green is a popular London filming location; most recently starring in the Netflix series ‘The Sandman’.

Nowadays, although the peace and tranquility can be disturbed by the overhead flight path (Heathrow is in the vicinity), Richmond Green is used by lots of locals as a meeting point as there is lots of shade and all the main shops and bars are very close by.

For the quintessential English experience, visit Richmond Green during the summer months at the weekend; you’ll likely encounter a game of cricket on the grass – just keep an eye out for any cricket balls hurtling your way.

3. Have a pint at the Ted Lasso pub

One of the best looking pubs in Richmond, The Prince’s Head pub on Richmond Green doubles as the fictional ‘Rose and Crown’ pub in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso starring Jason Sudeikis. Ted Lasso plays for the fictitious Richmond AFC football / soccer team and often enjoys a drink with Coach Beard here.

The exterior of The Prince’s Head / Ted Lasso pub is quintessentially english with a red telephone box outside and a beer terrace with views of Richmond Green (where they often play cricket).

Whilst the Fullers beer and views at The Prince’s Head pub are superb, it should be noted this pub is only used as an external Ted Lasso filming location and the Ted Lasso pub interiors are filmed in a TV studio.

If you like your pint at the Ted Lasso pub, it is run by the nearby Fullers Brewery in Chiswick, one of London’s oldest breweries.

Such is the popularity of Richmond in the UK as a Ted Lasso filming location, you can now even do a Ted Lasso filming location tour.

4. Church Court and Church Walk

Church Walk is located just off the main George Street thoroughfare and is a cute, cobbled street home to a nice Fullers pub – The Angel and Crown, with an outdoor area within Church Walk itself.

Church Court Richmond London — *Church Court*

In addition there are several independent shops such as The Alligator’s Mouth childrens book shop. Continue through to Church Walk to see the St Mary Magdalene Church in all its glory.

Recently, lots of red, blue and white umbrellas have appeared as a brolly good attraction in Richmond’s Church Walk (like a small scale version of Camden Market’s umbrella alley).

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5. Riverside and Richmond Bridge

Probably our favourite thing to do in Richmond, the riverside is also its star attraction. Locals and tourists flock here in their hundreds on warm sunny days, with ample space to sit on the lawns or benches.

If you want to head out on the water and row, row row your boat merrily down the Thames, you can hire a boat from the boathouses beneath Richmond Bridge.

Alternatively, you can peddle along the towpath all the way to Twickenham or beyond by hiring a bike from the punnily titled Blazing Saddles Bike Hire (great name!).

Richmond riverside also has lots of neighbouring bars and restaurants overlooking the water. Several of the local riverside pubs feature in our ‘best London pubs on the river’ list >

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6. Richmond Laneways – Brewers Lane and Golden Court

There are two equally charming laneways worthy of your time in Richmond, both leading to Richmond Green from George Street – Brewer’s Lane and Golden Court.

They each have cafes, pubs (the Prince’s Head is a particularly nice pub) and sweet treat stalls hidden down their narrow lanes and are a nice traffic free diversion, away from the smog of the high street.

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7. Isabella Plantation

Pretty in Pink. Other than the Richmond Park Deer, the likely other natural highlight here will be a visit to Richmond Park Isabella Plantation, a wonderful wooded area and glade popular with families and walkers famous for its bright pink flowers and shrubs.

Isabella Plantation can be visited for free throughout the year but blooms best in April and May across its 40 acres of woodland and park area.

Renowned for its evergreen Azaelas and bright coloured flowers like Camellias and Rhododendrons, Isabella Plantation is home to many species of wildlife plus various ponds, springs and streams.

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8. Old Palace Lane / White Swan Pub

Village life in the heart of Richmond, the Old Palace Lane, accessible from Richmond Green or the riverside, is home to a host of cute cottages covered in wisteria (giving Fulham Palace a run for its money in the wisteria hysteria stakes).

It also has a charming and cosy inn bedecked with flowers, the White Swan Pub.

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Richmond Pubs and Bars

Richmond has lots of bars and pubs to drink in, from sunny riverside spots to outdoor terraces overlooking Richmond Green. In fact, we’d go as far as saying Richmond has some of the best pubs on the river in the whole of London.

The best historic pubs and riverside pubs in Richmond include:

9. The White Cross

A Victorian boozer situated right on the River Thames, with a beer garden and terraces overlooking the water. It can get incredibly busy in the summer so arrive early if you want to bag a prime outdoor spot.

Amazingly, the White Cross pub also offers paddleboard sessions which start on the Thames directly outside the pub terrace.

After paddleboarding, the White Cross finishes the session with oysters and champagne and sliders and beer back in the bar – surely this is the most perfect paddleboarding and pub session in London?!

10. The Cricketers

One of Richmond’s oldest inns, a pretty pub overlooking Richmond Green built in the 1770s, getting its name from the cricketing activity that takes on the green.

11. The Roebuck

We’d recommend the Roebuck for its incredible views of the river from Richmond Hill – the fact they serve cold beer is purely a bonus for us.

12. Piano & Pitcher

A chain pub that makes up for its so-so service with good views of the river, especially if you bag one of the coveted balconies, like we did in the picture below.

13. The Britannia

Hidden away along historic Brewer’s Lane, the Britannia is a classic British boozer with wonderful wooden interiors plus a lush terrace and beer garden.

The Britannia is also one of the best pubs in Richmond for a Sunday roast and is only a short stumble from the Prince’s Head, if you need to escape from the Ted Lasso tourist trail.

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14. Richmond Terrace Gardens and Hill Viewing Point

High on the hill overlooking Richmond and the River Thames, you’ll come across Richmond Terrace Gardens, a public park (free to visit) with lots of colourful flowers in the summer, a greenhouse and cafe but most importantly, wonderful views of the river and surrounding meadows.

Richmond Hill Viewing Point
Head to the very top of Richmond Terrace Gardens (or walk the steep slope up Richmond Hill from the town centre) and you’ll discover a lovely shaded spot with lots of park benches.

Richmond Hill Viewing Point is a superb viewing point where you can see all the boats on the river and aerial views of such spots as Ham House. One of the best free things to do in Richmond, you won’t be disappointed after making the hike up to this hillside spot.

Richmond Terrace also features in our best panoramic views in London guide >

Enjoy the views even more by grabbing a pint from the aforementioned Roebuck Pub located right next to the Richmond Hill Viewing Point and supping it on one of the benches here.

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15. Richmond shops

The High Street is a good mix of chain and independent stores – you’ll certainly find all your retail needs here, from organic goodness at Whole Foods through to the beautifully dressed Petersham Nurseries, a 10 minute from the High Street.

Whilst visiting the town on our most recent trip, we discovered Bramble & Moss – an elegant florist with a beautifully laid out store and sublime store front and Danieli On The Green – an artisan Italian chocolate shop.

16. Peggy Green at Riverside Green

A new riverside dining destination in Richmond, Peggy Green at Riverside Green is housed on a historic barge overlooking the Thames which has relocated from the famous UK city of Oxford (it is a restored former Jesus College Oxford barge).

Peggy Green at Riverside Green Richmond London

A fine floating brasserie best known for its Australian style brunches and sunset dining sessions, Peggy Green has an ample alfresco dining area with the best views of Richmond or you can dine inside .

Their menu is split into three sections including Sea, Land and Plant plus it has the best coffee in Richmond!

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17. Richmond Cinemas

There are two main Richmond cinemas – the larger more mainstream cinema is the 7 screen Odeon Richmond (72 Hill Street).

If you’re after more independent or arthouse films, the Curzon cinema is nearby, tucked down Water Lane.

Book your London cinema tickets in advance with Fever >

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18. Richmond Theatre

Overlooking Richmond Green and entertaining Londoners with all manner of super stage shows, popular plays and an annual pantomime for over a century, Richmond Theatre opened in 1899 and is one of the best preserved Victorian theatres in the whole of London (Grade II listed).

Spending Christmas in London? Richmond Theatre is popular for its pantomimes – the pantomime for Christmas 2023 / 24 will be Dick Whittington starring TV funny-man and ‘Have I Got News For You’ legend Paul Merton.

Book your London theatre tickets in advance with Fever >

19. River Walk from Richmond to Twickenham

If you are planning to make a day of your trip to the Richmond area, one option once you’ve finished exploring Richmond is to walk along the banks of the Thames to Twickenham and continue your journey from there.

A very easy riverside walk along the Thames, this 4km (2.5 mile) trek is flat all along the way and takes in several stately homes and regal buildings including Marble Hill House, Ham House and the Orleans House Gallery.

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20. Marble Hill House

Also known as the ‘White House’, Marble Hill House and Park is a Grade I listed Palladian villa built in the 18th century by King George II for his mistress Herietta Howard.

It is set in almost 70 acres of riverside parkland with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

As at 2023, the house at Marble Hill is free to enter from Wednesdays to Sundays, from April to October.

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21. Orleans House Gallery

A free public art gallery near to the river’s edge, the Orleans House gallery was recently restored to its original Baroque beauty.

A former Palladian villa built in 1719, Orleans House Gallery also had a large what’s on programme, live events, a cafe located in a former stables plus a woodland glade to explore.

22. Ham Village and Ham House

Nearby to Richmond you’ll find the charming village of Ham and Ham House, one of London’s finest historic houses, built in the early 1600s and boasting one of the most ornate gardens in the country.

Read our full guide to things to do in Ham here >

23. Messing about on the river at Richmond

If you actually want to explore the River Thames whilst in Richmond, there are several ways to get out onto the water.

By Richmond Bridge, you can hire rowing boats by the hour.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can even hire paddle-boards or kayaks from the Richmond Bridge Boathouses or The White Cross pub (the latter even includes a pint and food platter with your paddleboard hire!)

Book your paddleboarding session here >

Book your kayak session here >

24. Richmond River Cruises

If you’d rather someone else do all the hard work for you, there are several relaxing river cruises to and from Richmond along the River Thames.

Richmond river cruises include trips to Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace plus a longer river cruise to Westminster in central London.

Check out all the river cruises available to book here >

There are plenty of things to do in Richmond out and about on the River Thames – rewards yourself in a riverside pub afterwards.

25. Richmond Duck Pond / Farmer’s Market

Just a stone’s throw away from the River Thames, the Farmer’s Market / Duck Pond Market is held at Heron Square every Saturday and Sunday.

The Duckpond Market has a focus on sustainable and environmental artisan products with everything from deli meats to doughnuts, bunting to bandanas.

Most weekends, around 20 to 30 stalls cram into to Heron Square (we have to say the smell from some of the hot stalls is amazing).

The Duckpond Market in West London is open from 10.30 to 4pm every Saturday and from 11am to 4pm every Sunday.

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26. Richmond Poppy Crossing and Poppy Factory

The famous Richmond Poppy Factory is where many of the remembrance wreaths are made and has provided support to thousands of veterans over the years.

In 2023, the Poppy Factory celebrates its 101st anniversary and has been part of the local community since the 1920s.

Richmond Poppy Crossing and Poppy Factory

Group tours of the Poppy Factory are available as well as discovery sessions for smaller groups.

Also look out for the beautiful and colourful Poppy Factory pedestrian crossing immediately in front of the main building on Petersham Road, the UK’s first poppy crossing launched in 2020 to help commemorate the veterans and their sacrifices.

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27. Kew Gardens

A short walk or very quick 4 minute London Underground ride from Richmond, Kew Gardens is world renowned for its beautiful blooms with over 50,000 different types of flowers and plants in its collection.

Set over 300 acres, you’ll find lots of cute talking spots at Kew Gardens including a charming Chinese pagoda, incredible green houses, a Japanese garden and The Temperate House.

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The Temperate House is the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse that has over 1000 species of plants from all over the world; the ornate staircases in the middle section that descend into the foliage are particularly photogenic.

Kew Gardens can be visited all year round; admission fees apply.

Skip the queues and book your Kew Gardens ticket in advance >

Kew Gardens admission is also included as part of the London Go City pass – visit dozens of London landmarks and attractions for one fixed price!

28. Virginia Woolf Statue

One of England’s most famous writers, Virginia Woolf was born in the 1880s and wrote highly regarded literary novels such as Mrs Dalloway.

In late 2022, a life-size sculpture of Virgina Woolf sitting on a bench was installed on the lawns near the Bridge Green Boat House overlooking the River Thames (somewhere she used to walk sometimes with her dog).

Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard lived in Richmond for ten years from 1914. Sculpted by Laury Dizengremel, it is the first full-size statue of Woolf with an explanatory memorial plaque to the right.

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Other Things to do in Richmond, London

Keep an eye out for Ted Lasso souvenirs like these Ted Lasso candies available from in Brewer’s Lane.

Enjoy Louisiana style fried chicken at one of the UK’s first Popeye Chicken restaurants, just a stone’s throw from Richmond Station entrance.
Grab an alfresco Argentinian steak at Gaucho restaurant, overlooking the Thames with a terrific terrace and vantage point.

Richmond Station

Transport links with Richmond are all really easy as it connects with the Underground and Overground trains along with a mainline train station meaning you can get here with no difficulties from pretty much any part of London.

Richmond Station is also within walking distance of all of the Richmond attractions listed in this article, plus amongst all the main bars and restaurants. Most buses to connecting destinations stop outside Richmond Station too.