Beyond London
Richmond and Kew: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Richmond and Kew: the back story
Upriver in south-west London, Richmond and Kew feel like the countryside: ancient deer parks, the royal botanic gardens and riverside walks.
Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew began as a royal garden in the 18th century and became a world centre of plant science. Its glasshouses, galleries and grounds are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Richmond Park
Charles I enclosed Richmond Park for hunting in the 1630s, and red and fallow deer still roam it. From King Henry’s Mound there is a protected view all the way to St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Thames at Richmond feels a world away from Westminster, though it is the same river.
The riverside
Between Kew and Richmond, the Thames Path follows a green, quiet stretch of river, with Richmond Hill rising above it.
Our advice: spend the morning at Kew, walk or take the train to Richmond for lunch by the river, and finish with a stroll in Richmond Park before the gates close.
Why it's on our list
- Kew Gardens
- Richmond Park
- The riverside
- When to go
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Richmond and Kew: the back story before you go.