Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames sits in southwest London and is the only London borough that spans both sides of the River Thames. It includes centres such as Richmond, Twickenham, Kew and Teddington, and contains major green spaces: Richmond Park with its free-roaming deer, Kew’s botanic collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, and riverside towpaths used by walkers and rowing clubs. Richmond Bridge, which links the town to the north bank, is the oldest surviving bridge across the Thames in London and remains a familiar landmark for the area’s riverside stretches.

The borough combines local civic centres, sports and cultural venues with suburban neighbourhoods. Twickenham Stadium hosts international rugby fixtures; Richmond Theatre and small galleries stage touring and local productions. Transport links include National Rail, London Underground services to Richmond and road connections into central London. Planning tends to protect the parkland and garden sites, so development patterns reflect a mix of conservation areas, town centres and stretches of open water and woodland along the river.