The little town of Richmond is something truly extraordinary: a leafy historic community at the heart of a London borough. And it really is leafy. Around 50% of the borough of Richmond upon Thames is made up of parkland, and Richmond Park is the biggest in London. It’s no wonder that Richmond has been named London’s happiest place to live for the seventh year in a row.

With excellent amenities, great transport links and a peaceful, safe atmosphere, Richmond upon Thames attracts families, young professionals and celebrities alike. Read on to find out more about this Greater London gem.

Why move to Richmond?

The town of Richmond is extremely well connected. Served by the District Line, the London Overground and South West Trains, Richmond station is just a twenty-minute journey from Waterloo. The Eurostar is less than forty minutes away, and it’s easy to reach all five London airports by car or public transport.

While Richmond is close to the action, it has all the bucolic look and feel of the Thames Valley. This makes it an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy a high quality of life while staying conveniently close to central London.

Historically, Richmond has attracted celebrities in search of the quiet life: Rudolph Nureyev, Mick Jagger and Richard Attenborough are all former residents. It’s still popular with stars, including Richard E. Grant, Helen Baxendale and Sir David Attenborough.

Attractions in Richmond

The town of Richmond has plenty to see and do. In addition to Richmond Park – one of the eight Royal Parks, and a nature reserve spanning 2,500 acres – there’s also Richmond Green. This pleasant grassy space was the site of jousting tournaments back in the Middle Ages, and now hosts regular cricket games. Nearby are the remains of Richmond Palace, built by Henry VII and much loved by Elizabeth I, who spent her last days there. Across the green is Richmond Theatre, a Victorian gem where you can see plays and musicals, and even catch some of the newest productions before they hit the West End.

Just a short walk from Richmond station is the Lion Gate entrance of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. You can easily spend a whole day just exploring this vast complex of gardens and conservatories, museums and galleries. Kew Gardens also hosts one of the world’s biggest and most important botanical research collections.

The borough of Richmond upon Thames has no shortage of historic houses and sites of interest. These include Ham House, the Palladian beauty that is Orleans House Gallery, Horace Walpole’s former residence at Strawberry Hill, and of course Hampton Court Palace.

Across the borough, you’ll find a wide range of wonderful places to eat and drink, from cosy pubs and family-friendly eateries to Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Glasshouse and The Dysart. If you prefer to do your own cooking, you can find local and sustainable ingredients at the Duckpond Market on Heron Square and Kew Village Market on Station Parade, every weekend.

Families in Richmond

In terms of education, Richmond upon Thames has an outstanding range of both state and independent schools, although many residents opt for independent. There’s also an excellent choice of nurseries, as well as after-school and extramural activities for children of all ages. As you might expect from a borough with so much green space, there is a wealth of outdoor options including two Forest Schools.

For family days out in the neighbourhood, the London Wetland Centre is a favourite destination, and children love to take in a show at the Puppet Theatre Barge. You’ll find great playgrounds and soft play centres all over the borough, and of course the attractions of Central London are just a tube ride away. But sometimes it’s enough just to go deer-spotting in Richmond Park, hire a rowing boat, or ride a scooter along the banks of the Thames. With plenty of other families around, Richmond upon Thames is a truly child-friendly area.

Property in Richmond

Richmond’s high quality of living, low crime rate and preponderance of parkland make it appealing to families and young professionals who are looking for great quality of life. It’s definitely a place to settle down – nightlife is relatively scarce and the pace of living is fairly quiet. If that appeals to you, Richmond upon Thames might just be your ideal London location.

Those who move to Richmond tend to stay there for the long haul, so there’s less property turnover here compared to other areas of London. There are also fewer new developments than other boroughs, so you’ll be likely to find less immediately available housing stock on offer. However, if you have the patience, it’s more than worth a wait. Whether you prefer a comfortable modern home or a unique historical property, Richmond offers some truly spectacular possibilities. You can find luxury flats, picturesque cottages and impressive period houses, some with beautiful parkland or river views.

The town of Richmond itself is a particularly in-demand destination. Specifically, Richmond Hill – formerly home to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – is a dream choice for those with the patience and the budget to purchase a property there. But every corner of this London borough has its own special charm.

On the west and south-west sides of Richmond Park respectively, Twickenham and Teddington are just two popular choices for house-hunters. Like Richmond, they combine historic charm, plenty of green space and easy access to central London.

At Cadogan Tate, we know and love Richmond upon Thames. Whether you’re renting or buying, moving alone or with family, and planning to stay for the long or short term, we can help make your relocation simple, smooth and secure.

Our expertise in handling fine art and antiques means that you don’t need to worry about even your most valuable possessions. For more information about our London removals services, or for a bespoke quotation tailored to your precise needs, please do get in touch with our team.