The nearest major airport is London Heathrow (LHR ^IATA):

• Via the Piccadilly line from Richmond station: Take the eastbound District line to Turnham Green, then change for the westbound District line to Acton Town and change once more for a Picadilly line train to Heathrow Airport.
• Via the District line from Richmond station: Take the eastbound District line to Turnham Green, then change for the westbound District line to Ealing Broadway and change once more for the Elizabeth line to Heathrow Airport.

The district is served by the following tube stations all on the District line and the London Overground, in either Zone 3 or 4:

• Richmond – (Zone 4)
• Kew Gardens – (Zones 3 and 4)
• Gunnersbury – (Zone 3)

Note: You may need to change at Turnham Green for westbound trains towards Ealing Broadway.

• 51.463189-0.3006191 Richmond station. (updated Jan 2023)
  • South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo station stop at Richmond. The journey takes 20-30 min, and trains depart every 15 min or so. South Western Railway also has trains to Hampton Wick and Hampton Court stations (although much less regularly than Richmond).
  • London Overground – Mildmay line  MLD  trains from Stratford via Willesden Junction (with a separate branch to Clapham Junction via Imperial Wharf) terminates at Richmond, also stopping at Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury.
  • District line trains run from the station and can take you into central London in 30-35 mins.

• 51.4895-0.28782 Kew Bridge station. Served by National Rail trains out of London Waterloo. (updated Apr 2025)

• 51.4504-0.32963 Twickenham station. Served by National Rail trains out of London Waterloo. (updated Apr 2025)

Richmond is accessible by taxi in about 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport or from central London depending on traffic conditions – you can expect to pay about £50 or more for the fare.

If you are driving yourself, then from outside London you want to come in on the M3 or the M4. From the M3 head towards Central London onto the A316 past Twickenham Rugby Ground until you get to the Old Deer Park. From the M4 leave at Junction 2 on the elevated section, cross Kew Bridge and keep going past Kew Gardens for a couple of miles.

There is a fair amount of on-street parking, especially around The Green, but it's expensive - about £5 per hour, with a £60 penalty for overstaying your time. The main off-street car parks are slightly cheaper: try the big Old Deer Park car park down by the A316, or the smaller one tucked away down Friars Lane near the Old Palace.

There are no regular boat services to Richmond from central London, but in the summer a service runs to/from Hampton Court, and pleasure boats can be hired by the hour near Richmond Bridge.

51.44691-0.314611 Hammerton's Ferry, ☏ +44 20 8892-9620. 10AM-5PM. Foot ferry crossing the Thames between Ham House (south bank) and Marble Hill and Orleans Houses (north bank) £1 (50p child). (updated Jun 2022)

The 65 bus runs the length of the Kew Road, and the 110 runs up Sandycombe and A316 roads. An active person could walk the length of Kew (from A316 to Kew Bridge) in half an hour.

Within the area, Twickenham can be reached from Richmond via the buses 33, 490, R68, R70, and N22 night bus. The R68 also goes on to Teddington and Hampton Court.

• 51.412778-0.3380561 Bushy Park. The second largest of the London Royal Parks, covering an area of 450 hectares (1,099 acres). Lying north of Hampton Court Palace, the history of the park is inextricably linked to the palace, yet it has always had its own distinct rural character. There are herds of both Red Deer and Fallow Deer, they are wild but usually safe, just don't go too close or get between a hind and its calf. The D-Day linked bits are easiest found from the Teddington side. Go through SHAEF gate and there is an information board. You should be able to spot a flagpole a hundred yards into the park, this marks the spot where General Eisenhower had his office, if you have time, or children who are up for a challenge, there are bronze markers with combined British and Canadian and US flags at the corners where the main buildings of Camp Griffiss were. The partially restored early 18th-century baroque water gardens are a short walk from the Hampton Hill gate. The park is subdivided by Chestnut Avenue, Christopher Wren's grand approach to Hampton Court Palace which runs from Teddington Gate to Hampton Court Gate and with the gilded Diana fountain closer to the Palace end (you may have seen it as location for the finish line of some of the cycling events at the 2012 Olympics).  
• 51.403573-0.3379132 Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey (Bus R68 from Richmond Station, or by rail from London Waterloo to Hampton Court), ☏ +44 333 320 6000, [email protected]. Daily 10AM-6PM, last admission 5PM. Historic home to English kings such as Henry VIII, now open to the public. There are many attractions which can occupy a whole day visit, including 60 acres of gardens with the famous maze, the Tudor kitchens, the Chapel Royal, the Great Hall, Mantegna's Triumphs of Caesar paintings, and various exhibitions about Henry VIII. Palace, maze & garden £17.60 adult (cheaper rates online).  
• 51.444267-0.3140143 Ham House & Garden, Ham St, Ham, TW10 7RS (Bus 371 from Richmond Bus Station), ☏ +44 20 8940-1950, [email protected]. The Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale's elegant 17th-century manor house, a mile or so upriver from Richmond riverside.  
• 51.45725-0.307324 Richmond Bridge. Fine stone bridge linking Twickenham/St Margarets with Richmond. It is the oldest surviving Thames bridge in London, dating from 1777.  
• 51.460389-0.3102195 Richmond Palace. The remains of the once-magnificent palace, home to English kings since Edward I, adjoin Richmond Green, a pleasant open green space and historic cricket ground. Only the Gate House and Wardrobe, now converted into flats, remain.  
• 51.449444-0.2738896 Richmond Park (tube: Richmond, then bus 371 or 65). 7AM-dusk. The largest open space in London, covering almost 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and home to a huge array of wildlife, including 400 wild deer. Also contains the lush Isabella Plantation, which is full of trees and flowers, and the Royal Ballet School, seen in the film Billy Elliot. Popular with cyclists, both for the on-road perimeter circuit and the off-road trails. There are several car parks for walkers and picnickers. Free.  
• 51.452917-0.2993617 Richmond Hill (From town centre walk up Hill Rise, which 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 takes in the river, the meadows at the bottom of the hill. Much painted by JMW Turner. Well worth the short walk up the hill and it is on the way to Richmond Park if you are walking from the town.  
• 51.4563-0.30228 Old Vicarage School, 48 Richmond Hill, Richmond TW10 6QX. Grade II listed ornamental castle (updated Mar 2021)
• 51.45405-0.30019 Terrace Gardens (Buccleuch Gardens), Richmond Hill, TW10 6RH. Overlooking the river with Bulbous Betty (updated Mar 2021)
• 51.45884-0.3065310 Museum of Richmond, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ave, TW9 1TP (tube: Richmond  DIS  OGD ), ☏ +44 20 8332-1141, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM. Exhibitions on Richmond's history. Free.  

• 51.479-0.292711 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE (Tube: Kew Gardens  DIS  OGD ), ☏ +44 20 8332-5655, [email protected]. Open from 10AM everyday, closing times vary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these extensive, historic and beautiful gardens feature elements illustrating significant periods of garden and landscape art from the 18th to the 20th centuries, and a plant collection second to none in the world. Since their creation as a royal estate in 1759, Kew Gardens (as they are commonly known) have made a significant and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany. The gardens cover 120 hectares (300 acres) and are over 1.5 km (0.9mi) long. They contain glasshouses, a conservatory, and numerous installations of buildings, art and of course exotic plant species. The Temperate House, which reopened in May 2018, is the largest surviving Victorian glass structure in the world. Peak months: Adult £19, concession £16, students £9.50, children 4-15 £5.50, and under 4s free. Prices include voluntary donation. (updated Sep 2023)
• 51.481476-0.28008712 The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU (4 minutes walk from Kew Gardens  DIS  OGD  tube station, clearly sign-posted), ☏ +44 20 8876-3444. Tu Th 9AM-7PM, W F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su M closed. All non-classified government documents can be read and photographed here, with a (free) reader's card having been obtained. There is also a small museum, which does not require the card to access. Free.  
• 51.486944-0.287513 Kew Bridge. Fine stone bridge linking Brentford/Chiswick with Kew.  
• 51.48458-0.2884614 Kew Green. Large lawn, split in two by Kew Rd, with St. Anne's Church, Kew Cricket Club and pubs set on or near it.  

• 51.449444-0.31333315 Marble Hill House, Richmond Rd, TW1 2NL (any bus that goes between Twickenham and Richmond will pass this; there is also a summer time ferry across the Thames from Ham House), ☏ +44 20 8892-5115. Was home to King George II's mistress, with well-manicured lawns by the riverside. Admission free, as of 2022.  
• 51.44731-0.31902216 Orleans House Gallery, Orleans Rd, TW1 3BL (any bus that goes between Twickenham and Richmond will stop at Orleans Road, then short walk down the road; the summer time ferry across the Thames from Ham House also runs near Orleans House), ☏ +44 20 8831-6000. 10AM-5PM. The remains of a once-magnificent house which was home to King Louis-Philippe of France as Duke of Orleans. Only the Octagon Room and a stable block remain, which are now used as Richmond's main art gallery, with exhibitions (see website for details). Free.  
• 51.4406-0.332117 Radnor Gardens, Cross Deep, TW1 4RB. Park overlooking the river, with the local war memorial. Be careful at high tide, as it may flood.  
• 51.438-0.33511418 Strawberry Hill House, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4SX, ☏ +44 871-560-9489. Erratic hours, phone to check. Eccentric Gothic home of 18th-century poet and author, Horace Walpole, son of England's first prime minister.  
• 51.44391-0.34232619 Twickenham Green, First Cross Rd, TW2 5AQ. Large triangular lawn in Twickenham, with Holy Trinity Church, a cricket club and pubs set on or near it. 
• 51.456111-0.34166720 Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham Stadium, Rugby Rd, Twickenham, ☏ +44 20 8892-8877. Twickenham, which seats over 80,000, is the home of the England national rugby team, and is used mostly for major internationals and cup finals. Tour the stadium and visit the Museum of Rugby. Check their website to avoid being turned away on match days. tour £20, museum £8. (updated Aug 2016)
• 51.450278-0.34416721 Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Langhorn Dr, Twickenham, ☏ +44 20 8410-6000 (main switchboard), +44 871-527-1315 (tickets). Across the road from the main Twickenham Stadium is this smaller stadium (capacity about 15,000) known as "The Stoop". It's home to two teams both playing rugby union (15-a-side) in the Premiership, the top tier of the game in England. These are Harlequin FC, usually called "Harlequins" or simply "Quins", and London Irish. They both often qualify for European competitions. (updated Aug 2020)

• Boat ride. In summer months, either upriver to Teddington Locks or Hampton Court Palace, or downriver to Westminster, offers a good way to relax while enjoying the riverside scenery. Some boats offer a commentary service. The boat ride to Hampton Court takes about an hour and a half, to Teddington Locks about 45 min, and to Westminster about two hours. Boats depart from a dock close to Richmond bridge. You can also hire rowing boats next to the bridge. 
• 51.459215-0.3069852 Curzon Cinema, 3 Water Ln, Richmond TW9 1TJ (a narrow cobbled street which runs down to the river at the crossroads of Hill St, George St and Red Lion St), ☏ +44 1233 555644. Arthouse cinema. 
• 51.464336-0.3010633 Orange Tree Theatre, 1 Clarence St, TW9 2SA (tube: Richmond), ☏ +44 20 8940-3633. Offers theatre in the round, where the audience surrounds the stage.  
• 51.4621-0.303814 Richmond Theatre, The Green, TW9 1QJ (tube: Richmond), ☏ +44 870 060 6651. See a pre-West End play at this pretty Victorian theatre.  

• 51.44441-0.309626 Ham Polo Club, ☏ +44 20 8334-0000, [email protected]. Selected Friday nights and weekends during the summer (updated Jun 2022)
• 51.44311-0.32097 Ham & Petersham Rifle & Pistol Club, The Ranges, Ham St, TW10 7RT, ☏ +44 20 8940-1366, [email protected]. Guest mornings on selected Sundays, (updated Jun 2022)

• Along the river path. Cycle, jog and walk. 
• Tennis (by Kew Bridge). 
• Yoga, Arch 2, Kew Bridge Arches, ☏ +44 20 8940-0888, [email protected]. Offers a range of yoga and pilates classes for all abilities. 

• 51.4613-0.30341 Richmond's high street, George St. Contains a few boutique clothing stores and all the standard high street chains, such as Habitat, Marks & Spencer's, WH Smith, Boots, and Robert Dyas. For more boutique clothes shops, such as Matches, and small art galleries and antiques shops, follow the road up the hill called Hill St, which turns into Hill Rise. The alleys off George Street are lined with mostly privately owned boutiques. Two of these are purveyors of fine chocolates: one is The House of Chocolate located on the corner of Brewers Lane, a long-standing family-run business; the other, a stone's throw to the west on Paved Court, is William Curley, a chocolatier whose award-winning fare, together with pastries and hot drinks, can be consumed on the premises. Another independent shop is Gelateria Danieli, selling gelato ice cream, located on Brewers Lane, which Time Out has listed as one of the best ice cream parlours in London. 
• 51.45995-0.306842 The Open Book, 10 King Street, Richmond-Upon-Thames, TW9 1ND, ☏ +44 20 8940-1802, [email protected]. Independent bookshop. Rather cramped, but stacked with a very good selection of new books, including signed copies. 
• 51.459447-0.3060023 Waterstones, 2-6 Hill Street, Richmond, TW9 1TN (On the corner of Hill and Red Lion Sts), ☏ +44 20 8332-1600, [email protected]. Branch of a big chain store. 
• 51.45837-0.3062714 Duck Pond Market, Heron Square (Between Hill St and Richmond Riverside), [email protected]. Sa Su 11AM-3PM. Street food Market. (updated Aug 2019)
• 51.47302-0.247685 Barnes Farmers Market, Essex House, Station Rd, London SW13 9HG (near Barnes Bridge railway station), [email protected]. Sa 8:30AM-2PM. (updated Jun 2022)

• 51.4774-0.28546 Kew Bookshop (Hewson Books), 1-2 Station Approach, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3QB, ☏ +44 20 8940-0030, [email protected]. M–Sa 9:30AM–5:30PM, Su & holidays 11AM–5PM, closed Easter & Christmas. Independent bookshop. 
• 51.478-0.2797 Kew Retail Park, Bessant Dr, Richmond, TW9 4AD. M–W F Sa 9AM–7:30PM, Th 9AM–8PM, Su 11AM–5PM. Marks and Spencer, Boots, Next, Costa Coffee, TK Maxx. (updated May 2021)
• 51.4825-0.28638 Lloyds of Kew Bookshop, 9 Mortlake Terrace, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3DT, ☏ +44 20 8948-2556, [email protected]. Su–F 10AM–2PM, 10AM–5PM. Second-hand books. (updated May 2021)
• 51.4774-0.28629 Mia Wood, 9 Station Parade, Kew Gardens Village Richmond, TW9 3PS, ☏ +44 20 8439-9265, [email protected]. M–Sa 9:30AM–6PM, Su 11AM–5PM. Gifts. (updated May 2021)
• 51.4775-0.285710 Olivers Wholefoods Store, 5 Station Approach, Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3QB, ☏ +44 20 8948-3990, [email protected]. M–Sa 9AM–8:30PM, Su 10AM–6PM. Health foods and alternative therapies. (updated May 2021)
• 51.477-0.285711 The Shoe Station, 12 Station Parade, Kew, TW9 3PZ, ☏ +44 20 8940-9905, [email protected]. M–Sa 9AM–6PM, Su 11AM–5PM. Children's shoes. 
• 51.4771-0.286112 Tesco Express, 2-8 Station Parade, Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3PZ, ☏ +44 345 026 9355. Daily 7AM-11PM. Small supermarket. (updated May 2021)

Most of the major restaurant chains can be found within a few minutes of the town centre. Aside from those, there are plenty of privately owned restaurants with culinary offerings from all around the world, including German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Possibly the most upscale of Richmond's restaurants is located at the Bingham Hotel, which was awarded its first Michelin star in 2010.

• 51.45959-0.304741 Al Boccon di'vino. An Italian restaurant with no menu. The chef brings out dishes that he wants to cook. 
• 51.45791-0.305222 Chez Lindsay, 11 Hill Rise, TW10 6UQ, ☏ +44 20 8948-7473. noon-10PM. French cuisine. 
• 51.46285-0.302243 Don Fernando's (near Richmond station). Offers decent Spanish cuisine, such as tapas. 
• 51.461825-0.2954294 The Dragon Inn, Sheen Rd. Offers Chinese cuisine and very friendly staff. 
• 51.456299-0.3046015 Gaucho's Restaurant (sits on the Thames towpath just to the west of Richmond Bridge). With indoor and outdoor seating directly overlooking the river. 
• 51.46087-0.305256 Gelateria Danieli, 16 Brewers Ln, London TW9 1HH (alley between George St and Richmond Green; from George St it is the alley down the side of TopShop and jewellers Courlander's), ☏ +44 20 8439-9807. Great ice cream shop as the queues on sunny summer weekends indicate. 
• 51.4596-0.30457 Hilltribe, 18 Red Lion St, Richmond, TW9 1RW, ☏ +44 20 8332-9977. M–Sa noon–3PM & 6–10:30PM, closed Su. Thai cuisine. (updated Apr 2021)
• 51.442611-0.2944738 Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, TW10 5HX (in Richmond Park), ☏ +44 20 8940-8207. Self-service restaurant open for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, which sells good value traditional British food and has a lovely view if you sit outside on the terrace.  
• 51.4624-0.30259 Pizzeria Rustica, 32 The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1DN (near Richmond station), ☏ +44 20 8332-6262, [email protected]. Tu–Th noon–3PM & 5–10:30PM, F Sa noon–11PM, Su noon–9PM, M closed. Pizzas. (updated Apr 2021)
• 51.455585-0.30390510 Stein's, TW10 6UX (on the riverside), ☏ +44 20 3746-6240. W-Su noon-9PM. A Bavarian bierhaus-style restaurant offering authentic German dark beers and food including imported sausages and sauerkraut. 
• 51.4593-0.30411 Thai Elephant Richmond, 1 Wakefield Rd, Richmond, TW10 6SD (opposite the Richmond bus station), ☏ +44 20 8940-5114, [email protected]. M–F noon–3:30PM & 5–10PM, Sa Su noon–10PM. Thai cuisine. (updated Apr 2021)

• 51.43813-0.3135616 Ham Cafe, 8 Ashburnham Rd, TW10 7NF, ☏ +44 20 3638-7084. M-Sa 7AM-4PM (closed Su). (updated Jun 2022)
• 51.43853-0.3135617 Hansel & Pretzel German Delicatessen, 71 Ham St, TW10 7HW, ☏ +44 20 8332-1916. M-Sa 7AM-5PM (closed Su). (updated Jun 2022)
• 51.447-0.302518 Petersham Nurseries Café, Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB, ☏ +44 20 8940-5230, [email protected]. Tu W Su noon–5PM, Th–Sa noon–11PM, M closed. Upmarket garden centre with a very upmarket and expensive lunchtime restaurant (closed M and Tu) and a cafe (closed M), which sells great soup and sandwiches at lunchtime in a really lovely setting amongst the greenhouses. They have some problems with too many cars upsetting the locals so they encourage people to walk (about 30 min from centre of Richmond) or take a 65 or 371 Kingston bus to Dysart Arms pub stop. (updated Apr 2021)
• 51.436198-0.32053619 Swiss Bread Bakery and Café, 175 Ashburnham Rd, TW10 7NR, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 7AM-4:30PM (closed Su M). A German bakery and general store selling a variety of German food items, including fresh bread and pretzels, sausages, cheese and sweets. 

• 51.4776-0.285920 Ma Cuisine Bistrot, 7 Station Approach, Kew, TW9 3QB, ☏ +44 20 8332-1923, [email protected]. Tu–Su 10AM–11:30PM. (updated Apr 2021)
• 51.4808-0.288421 Newens | The Original Maids of Honour, 288 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 3DU, ☏ +44 20 8940-2752, [email protected]. Daily 8:30AM–6PM. Traditional bakery and tea shop, famous for its Maids of Honour cakes, which has been established for over 150 years. (updated Apr 2021)
• 51.4743-0.286422 Rara Restaurant, 279 Sandycombe Rd, Kew, TW9 3LU, ☏ +44 20 8332-1020, [email protected]. Daily noon–10:30PM. A really smart Nepalese restaurant. (updated Apr 2021)
• 51.476891-0.28458423 Cafe Yukari, 110 North Rd, ☏ +44 20 8487-1338. Japanese café. (updated Feb 2024)

• 51.44656-0.3002222 The Dysart, 135 Petersham Rd, TW10 7AA, ☏ +44 20 8940-8005. Gastropub (updated Feb 2021)
• 51.4449-0.3027223 The Fox and Duck, 194 Petersham Rd, TW10 7AD, ☏ +44 20 8940-4944, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2022)
• 51.43624-0.30504