A Perfect Day in Richmond: From Riverside Walks to Historic Charms

Most visitors to London rarely venture beyond the city center — a mistake, especially in high season when the streets can be maddeningly crowded and the atmosphere lacks the quaint, English-village charm for which the country is so famous. One easy escape is Richmond, perched on the banks of the River Thames. Long a royal outpost (Henry VII built Richmond Palace here in the 16th century) the town has retained both its historic character and its reputation as one of London’s greenest, most enchanting enclaves.

Getting there couldn’t be easier: just hop on the District Line and, in less than half an hour, you’ll find yourself in this riverside town that feels like a world away.

Richmond greets you with cobbled lanes lined with independent boutiques and specialty shops. Fans of Ted Lasso will delight in the dedicated store celebrating the show, a fun stop for quirky souvenirs. Beyond that, the town brims with cozy bookshops, artisanal cafés, and tucked-away treasures that reward a slow wander.

From there, drift down to the River Thames for one of Richmond’s greatest pleasures: a leisurely riverside walk. The riverbank in Richmond is lined with lovely parks and a tempting mix of restaurants and pubs, perfect for a drink or a meal. For elegant seafood, Scott’s Richmond is the new star, with a terrace that seems made for oysters and champagne. For something more playful, try Peggy Jean, a restored Oxford barge that offers the unique experience of dining right on the water. And if it’s atmosphere you’re after, settle into The White Cross, a historic pub whose riverside garden is so close to the water that it famously floods at high tide.

From here, continue walking upriver and you’ll soon arrive at one of Richmond’s most enchanting spots: Petersham Nurseries. More than just a garden center, Petersham has become a celebrated culinary destination. Housed in rustic greenhouses and surrounded by climbing roses and fragrant jasmine, the café and restaurant have hosted some of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs, including Skye Gyngell, who earned the venue a Michelin star. Today, its seasonal menus and award-winning afternoon teas draw food lovers from around the world, all while preserving its atmosphere as a secret garden retreat.

Well-fed and refreshed, it’s time to explore Richmond’s history. Within walking distance are three remarkable houses, each with centuries of stories to tell:

• Ham House (1610) is one of the finest Stuart mansions in Britain. Built for Sir Thomas Vavasour, Knight Marshal to James I, and later home to the powerful Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale, the house retains its original 17th-century interiors. With its richly carved oak, gilded ceilings, and one of the most complete collections of period furniture in Europe, it offers a rare and atmospheric glimpse of aristocratic life during the Restoration.

• Marble Hill House, built between 1724 and 1729, is a gleaming example of Palladian architecture. It was commissioned by Henrietta Howard, mistress of King George II, who transformed it into a lively salon where poets, wits, and politicians gathered. Today, the villa sits in sweeping parkland along the Thames, a picture of Georgian elegance and sociability.

• Strawberry Hill House, begun in 1749 by Horace Walpole, son of Britain’s first Prime Minister, is a Gothic fantasy made real. Walpole filled it with turrets, battlements, and fanciful stained glass, sparking the Gothic Revival movement that influenced architecture for generations. Inside, its whimsical rooms— from the vaulted Gallery to the fan-vaulted Library— feel like stepping into the pages of a medieval romance reimagined through 18th-century eyes.

As the day winds down, you can return to central Richmond for an easy District Line journey back into London. Or, if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye, take one last riverside stroll at golden hour; the light shimmering off the Thames is the perfect farewell to a day steeped in beauty, history, and quiet charm.