Richmond Park brings together wetlands, meadows, ancient trees and acidic grassland. It is also a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The variety of habitats gives the park a distinctive natural character, which is also evident in comparison with Bushy Park: both have wetlands, ancient trees and acidic grassland; Bushy Park also includes woodland habitats, while Richmond Park features meadows. Bushy Park is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Parks and Wildlife Watching
Visitors who want to explore Richmond Park on foot or by bike have several options: the family-friendly Tamsin Trail runs around the park. There are also roads for cycling, as well as paths for hiking and running. This makes it possible to combine different activities with a visit to the parkland, without requiring a fixed route.
Wildlife watching is at the heart of the WWT London Wetland Centre. Six hides are available for wildlife watching and photography; check current access to the hides before you travel. During pond dipping, visitors can explore specially created ponds with nets and identify wetland creatures with support from the team. The activity is scheduled seasonally, so it is worth checking dates before your visit.
Kew Gardens offers a different perspective: more than 50,000 living plants grow on this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kew Gardens is 30 minutes from central London. Its four entrances are accessible by train, bus or water; parking is limited. Check current travel conditions before setting out.
Houses, Gardens and Georgian Architecture
Marble Hill is the last fully preserved example of the elegant 18th-century villas and gardens that lined the Thames between Richmond and Hampton Court. Inside the house, visitors can see Georgian interiors and new exhibitions about Henrietta Howard. The architecture and exhibitions both bring history to life here.
Ham House stands beside the Thames in Richmond and is surrounded by grounds. These include a walled 17th-century kitchen garden and a maze-like wilderness. The Lauderdales transformed the house into one of England’s grandest homes. The kitchen garden produces, among other things, early potatoes, garlic and courgettes in summer—a specific seasonal insight into this part of the estate.
Strawberry Hill House & Garden was created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century and is an example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture. The garden can be visited free of charge throughout the week; check the current visiting arrangements before your visit. A guided landscape tour explores the historic garden and explains its role in the development of the more natural English landscape garden, as well as its significance within the Thames Arcadian landscape. As tour offerings and dates may change, check the current options in advance. Strawberry Hill station is a five- to ten-minute walk from the house and garden.
Museums and Art in Richmond and Twickenham
The Museum of Richmond tells the story of Richmond from prehistoric times, through its rise as a royal residence in the Middle Ages, to its modern significance as a centre of art and fashion. Its collection includes more than 5,000 objects, including archaeological finds, costumes, toys and games, and items documenting domestic and social history. Permanent displays, temporary exhibitions, educational workshops and an events programme offer further perspectives on local history.
At Allianz Stadium, a behind-the-scenes tour combines the stadium and museum: visitors can explore exclusive areas usually reserved for elite rugby players, then visit the World Rugby Museum. Its collection comprises more than 41,000 catalogued objects, 16,500 archival items and 11,300 photographs. As the figures may change with cataloguing, they should be understood as subject to change. Check the latest information about tours, booking and access in advance.
Orleans House Gallery is a free public art gallery in gardens overlooking the Thames in Twickenham. The gallery’s centrepiece is the magnificent Baroque Octagon Room. Check the current exhibitions before visiting.
Green spaces also define Richmond Upon Thames in a broader context: the borough has more green space than any other London borough, including 128 parks, commons and woodland areas. This figure may change in future editions. Alongside its houses, gardens and museums, this range shows how nature and cultural experiences differ across the area.
Discover more destinations: Twickenham, Richmond, Redbridge, Westminster, Harrow, Haringey, Hammersmith And Fulham, Enfield.
For the broader travel overview: Greater London.
