

A WALK ALONG THE THAMES...

Along the pedestrian path, elegant residences alternate with pubs, and rows of houses give way to green spaces and lanes.
For those wishing to take advantage of rowboat rentals for a stint on the water, this is the place to be. Otherwise, one can embark on a lengthy boat tour, bearing in mind that departures are hourly.
Tide Management Device - Since Richmond is subject to tides, directly after Twickenham Bridge there is a hydraulic device intended to protect its banks. This light-coloured contraption of late Victorian era combines several elements with different functions. There is a lock and a pedestrian bridge over three massive castellations that support very wide sluice gates. When the tide ebbs, the gates are lowered into the grooves with a thud, and as the water level rises, they are lifted. This occurs twice daily. For more information, one can call Harbour Services.
Returning towards Richmond Bridge, at the end of a walk or boat trip, one can refresh themselves in one of the numerous pubs and restaurants.
...OR GO FOR A STROLL ON THE GREEN

The Green is a vast, square-shaped green space that has remained unchanged over time; in summer, it is crowded with people walking and sunbathing. It is flanked by beautiful, elegant houses both along Portland Terrace to the northeast and Pembroke Villas to the northwest, where there are ten semi-detached homes built in 1840, on the site of Lord Fitzwilliam's palace, which had housed his vast collection of ancient objects and works of art, and now forms the core of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. The elegant Old Palace Lane, leading down to Twickenham Bridge, and the Old Gate House exude an Old England atmosphere, making them delightful places for a stroll. With its early nineteenth-century houses, Old Palace Lane epitomizes England's past. From here, one can continue to Cholmondeley Walk, which follows the riverbank, pass the round building marking the entrance to the tunnel beneath the river, reach Richmond Lock, constructed in 1894, offering splendid river views, and arrive at Asgill House. Archery tournaments have been held on the Green since the 1600s. Later, it also became a venue for cricket matches, the first recorded one taking place in 1730 between a Surrey team and one from Middlesex. After the matches, the players would visit The Cricketers pub, still in existence today. However, the current building dates back to 1844, as the previous one was destroyed by a fire. Autumn is the most picturesque time to visit, with its fabulous colors.

THEATRE ON THE GREEN
LITTLE GREEN,
UNDERGROUND STATION: RICHMOND

The hall of the pub, now called Roebuck, located opposite the train station, was a significant meeting place for rock musicians, with performances by the Rolling Stones among others.
THE MAIDS OF HONOUR ROW
UNDERGROUND STATION: RICHMOND

The houses have simple but well-proportioned facades, with Roman columns at the entrances and delicate wrought iron gates. And speaking of maids of honour, a century earlier, courtier John Harington had been banished by the queen because, according to her, he had corrupted their minds with his writings. Harington was an author of epigrams and had also translated the story of Giocondo into English, as told in Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. The British explorer Richard Burton lived at number 2. In 1744, number 4 became the home of John James Heidegger, manager of the King's Theatre in Haymarket. The entrance was adorned with landscapes executed by Antonio Joli, who was his scene painter.
ASGILL HOUSE
29 OLD PALACE LANE,
UNDERGROUND STOP: RICHMOND

RICHMOND BRIDGE, THE LOCK AND THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
BRIDGE STREET
UNDERGROUND STOP: RICHMOND


Once along the riverbank at this point, fishermen would set up their rods. Where the lock is located, there is also a pedestrian bridge, accessible by steps; near the pavilion with a metal roof, there stands a clock used for calculating the tide hours. It is one of the support points of the Port of London Authority offices.
In this modest house with dark brick facade, between 1915 and 1924, Virginia and Leonard Woolf lived. The Georgian-style building was constructed in 1748 on the land east of the church and the Green. The Woolfs occupied half of the house, and during German air raids, Virginia slept in the basement. 
Richmond Park is both a nature reserve and a site of scientific interest. Its nearly ten square kilometers were enclosed in 1637 by Charles I, who used to come here for hunting. Local residents had the right of way. It is the largest of the royal parks and is famous for its herds of red deer roaming freely. At feeding time, they can be seen following the truck that brings their forage. There are also woodpeckers, squirrels, and ring-necked parakeets. In the southwest corner of the park is Isabella Plantation, an enchanting wooded area with ponds and streams.




MONK'S HOUSE AND VIRGINIA WOOLF
17 PARADISE ROAD,
UNDERGROUND STOP: RICHMOND

One of the house's rear windows overlooked the Kew Gardens, where Virginia often went for walks and where she set one of her stories. Leonard Woolf, in his autobiography titled Beginning Again from 1964, recounts some episodes that occurred here during their stay. When they moved here, Virginia had finished writing The Voyage Out and was in a state of physical and nervous exhaustion. In September 1913 she attempted suicide, and in 1915 she had a relapse of her depression. Her husband sought a residence with an occupation that could engage her interest and bring her relief. The printing activity, set in Hogart's house, was initially amateur, then became more professional, and about thirty books were printed. Texts by members of the Bloomsbury Group were published, along with volumes on psychoanalysis and translations of foreign books, like those of Russian fiction.
If you fancy a cup of tea - the selection is vast – or wish to eat a sandwich, a scone, or another sweet treat, you can go to Tea Box at number 7 on this street, on the corner, which is a lovely tea room with a very intimate interior. There are also poetry and reading evenings and small art exhibitions.

TERRACE GARDENS
2 SPRING GARDENS,
UNDERGROUND STOP: RICHMOND
The park, located between Richmond Hill to the east and Petersham Road to the west, was opened to the public in 1887. It is flanked by beautiful Georgian houses and others from the 19th century, some of which have been converted into hotels. Below are the tree-lined banks of the Thames, whose waters, still as silver, appear as in the time of Walter Scott, who described them in a scene from The Heart of Midlothian. Artists as diverse as Turner and Oskar Kokoschka have ascended to Terrace Gardens to paint the panorama and the river as seen from here. In the park, there is a statue of the Thames by John Bacon in Coade stone and another of Aphrodite by Allan Howes, executed in 1952. Wick House was built by Sir William Chambers for Sir Joshua Reynolds.
RICHMOND PARK
QUEEN'S ROAD,
UNDERGROUND STOP: RICHMOND

The grove was created in the 1950s and today, at any time of the year, there is always some exotic plant in bloom or a shrub full of colors. Among the trees, many of which are centuries-old oaks, live many birds, including the melodious red-headed finches, bullfinches, sparrowhawks, and the beautiful owls. From Richmond station, one must take bus 65 to Ham Common, then walk along Ham Gate Avenue.
Another attraction is the Queen Mother's Copse, a flowering thicket in the woods created in memory of the Queen Mother. In the park area, there are several buildings of notable architecture. One of these is Pembroke Lodge, built for the first Duke of Russell, which now houses a famous restaurant. Pembroke Lodge was also the residence of Prime Minister John Russell and his nephew, the writer and pacifist Bertrand Russell. The garden of this residence is built around the highest point of the park, known as Henry VIII Mound. From the telescope installed here, there is a magnificent view of the City and St Paul's Cathedral, while to the west, the view is over the Thames Valley. Another important building, home to the Royal Ballet School, is the White Lodge. In the southwest corner near Kingston Gate, there is a terreplein, which once held an ice house beneath it. On it stands Thatched Lodge, a summer residence decorated with paintings in the style of Angelika Kauffmann. In Palewell Park, adjacent to Richmond Park, there is a smaller golf course, with only nine holes, in the extraordinary landscape of Beverley Brook, where the green is meticulously maintained. For those who wish to take lessons, there is a teacher available, and, compared to regular courses, this one can be approached without too much hassle.
By bike or on horseback - In the park, you can also cycle, provided you do not exceed a speed of twenty miles. Of course, you can go horseback riding and you can also bring dogs, which, however, must not disturb or harm wildlife. Radios or musical instruments are not allowed.
Richmond Upon Thames
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