Richmond has always been a very special place for me. My cousin lived there for a few years, and each time I visited, I was taken out of the turmoil of central London and into a peaceful, almost classic English village. Set picture perfect along a meandering bank of the River Thames, Richmond does royal history, great green spaces, and an alive local culture justice. In 2026, when you plan your trip to London, here are the top 10 things you simply must do.
- Spot Wild Deer in Richmond Park
Spanning over 2500 acres, Richmond Park is the largest of London’s Royal Parks. It is home to hundreds of wild red and fallow deer that roam freely through its ancient oak woodlands. Walking through the grass meadows, you forget you are in the midst of a large global city. If you visit in springtime, you’ll see at Pembroke Lodge the fields blanketed in bright daffodils, which is the spot to have traditional English tea.
- Soak Up the Views from Richmond Hill and The Roebuck
At the top of Richmond Hill, which looks out over the Thames Valley, is a view to die for, which in fact is protected by a special Act of Parliament. For a local experience, head to The Roebuck for a drink, over to the other side of the street and sit on the benches which look out over the terrace gardens.
- Experience a High-Tide Pint at The White Cross
Right at the riverside, the White Cross is a famous pub in the area. What makes it very unique is that at high tide, the Thames will flood the outdoor area. To see the water rise up while we enjoy our hot Sunday roast from inside has become a local favourite spectacle.
- Explore the Secret Courtyard at The White Swan
Tucked into a remote back street which runs behind the village green is The White Swan, which is a very well-kept secret. It is a very small historic pub that has a roaring fire, which is great for cold winter days, and an outback beer garden, which is very sunny. They also serve the very best traditional pub food in the borough.
- Walk the Scenic Towpath to Historic Isleworth
On a tranquil afternoon, go to the riverside towpath, which leads you to Isleworth. The path that you follow passes Richmond Lock, and you may also notice the pretty local houseboats. The walk ends at the very old London Apprentice pub, a riverside pub that has been a spot of interest to notables like Henry VIII and Charles Dickens for over a few hundred years.
- Discover the Splendour of Ham House
Ham House, which is a short walk or cycle along the river to the south, is a great 17th-century mansion that the Trust runs. It is also very much a full picture of 17th-century social and political life which has survived to this day, with formal gardens, historic textiles, and a large art collection.
- Browse the Richmond Duck Pond Market
If you are into artisanal food and local crafts, do not hesitate to go to Heron Square by the riverside at the weekend. At the Duck Pond Market, you will see a large array of stalls that have fresh baked bread, local cheeses, handmade jewellery, and great street food.
- Visit the World-Famous Kew Gardens
Just a stone’s throw along the river is the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Home to over 50,000 living plants, iconic Victorian glasshouses and a spectacular treetop walkway, we can easily spend a whole day there in the 300 acres of natural beauty.
- Stroll Along Richmond Green
Richmond Green is the picture of traditional England. It is framed by large Georgian townhouses and heritage pubs, which in the summer host local cricket matches that play out in front of the audience and also through the air of the green, which is a great place to sit and pass an afternoon.
- Rent a Rowboat or Kayak on the Thames
To have a true taste of Richmond’s waterfront charm, get out on the water. In the summertime, you can rent out classic wooden row boats or kayaks right by Richmond Bridge, which will put you out in the peaceful water and give you a totally new angle on the historic architecture.
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