Richmond upon Thames, a jewel in London’s crown, which was once upon a time a suburban town in Virginia Woolf’s London, is now unequivocally one of London’s most attractive boroughs. This little gem nestled in London’s Southwest corner, has long been a favourite retreat for Royalty and the rich and famous, and it’s so easy to see why. It has the breathtaking river view – not the urban type lined with the awe-inspiring skyscrapers, but the naturally beautiful stretch of River Thames. There is the charming, bustling town centre full of high-end shops, smart-looking restaurants and cafes, the affluent Richmond Hill area, and of course, Richmond Park, which is the largest of the capital’s eight Royal Parks and the biggest enclosed space in London. The park receives millions of visitors a year, is popular with Londoners and tourists alike – some come here to look for the herds of wild Red stags and Fallow deer, some are drawn here by the he beautiful Isabella Plantation, and others are making good use of the roads as training ground for running and cycling events. If you have a day to spare on your visit to London, Richmond upon Thame will make a perfect getaway.
In addition to its great outdoors, Richmond is also not short of numerous international cuisines to suit all ages, tastes and budgets. Feel free to check out some of my restaurant reviews so far to whet your appetite:
- Al Boccon di vino
- The Petersham Restaurant (coming soon)