Getting to Richmond requires some planning.
We decided to take the train from Waterloo Station.
It is relatively easy to get to Waterloo Station.
For us it was one bus, Bus 139.
It dropped us off in front of a massive building.
It was a little tricky making our way inside, but that was the easy part.
Considering that London has Thirteen Rail Terminals, (end of line stations), I was surprised how massive and sprawling was Waterloo Station tucked into a corner southeast King’s Reach of the River Thames beyond the London Eye, County Hall among other significant buildings.
I recommend a quick look at the floor plan of then Station before arrival.
The good news is that you can use your Oyster card to tag and enter the track area.
Your card is debited when you tag and exit the track area of Richmond Station.
I believe the Oyster Card is good on any trip on National Rail that remains inside Metropolitan London.
If you are not familiar with the Oyster card, it is essential for people who like to use London’s excellent Transport system know as the TFL, (Transport for London).
Oyster card - https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do
The second bit of good news is that trains to Richmond are very frequent.
South Western Railway operates a train from London Waterloo to Richmond(London) every 10 minutes. Tickets cost £4 - £9 and the journey ...
Look for the time to destination as some trains take about 22 minutes while others are almost an hour, (not including unexpected delays).
Also, confirm that you are in the right car.
Sometimes, one long train pulls into a Station, (such as Clapham Junction), and then the front half goes in one direction and the rear section will go in a different direction.
Delays can occur due to any disruption in the system which cause chain reaction access to rail lines and Station tracks, (Gates).
There may also be Labour disruptions.
Arriving in Richmond is not spectacular. The Main Street, (or High Street as they are often called in the UK), is typical of urban streets. I was fortunate to find an article about walking the town.
Note: the is the Borough of Richmond and there is the Village of Richmond, within that Borough. In this exercise, we are concerned mainly with the Village.
This gave me a great place and plan to start our visit.
At the risk of a little plagiarism, I shall follow some of the suggestions offered.
Leaving the Station, turn right and go a short distance. Cross Kew Street at the lights, going north to Clarence Street and past the Orange Tree Hotel. Continue one block on Clarence Street, (between Orange Tree Hotel and the Orange Tree Theatre). Turn left on Parkshot and go west, (towards the river).
I wish I could identify the person who wrote the article that guided us but let us call him/her; Sue.
Sue gives us good information about some of the charming buildings on Parkshot. About halfway down the road we took, the name changes to Little Green. You soon come to a small park named Little Green, across from Richmond Theatre. Cross Portland Terrace/Duke Street and continue past Richmond Green. The street is now named The Green, reflecting the fact that the north side of the street is the large recreational space, Richmond Green.
Notice the road bends to the right and that there is a confluence of a street and lane by the Pub ’The Prince’s Head’. With a small plaza out front of the pub and pedestrian Lane. I call the charming plaza ’the Ted Lasso neighbourhood’, as it is the place 'outdoor pub scenes' are filmed for the 'Emmy Winning' sit com, Ted Lasso (apple + TV).
Continue to follow the road keeping the green on your right. You will soon find yourself in a very historic place, although few buildings and relics remain from Henry VII’s Richmond Palace.
Henry VII, builder of Richmond Palace — It was erected in about 1501 by Henry VII of England, formerly known as the Earl of Richmond
Notice the place names on the left.
There is Friars Lane. A walk down here is very interesting. You can, in fact, reach the river by Friars Lane.
We continued between the Green and the buildings.
We took the next left, ‘ TheWardrobe’. This took us through the one remaining Gate from Richmond Palace. It includes other original buildings.
Follow Old Palace Yard and the take Old Palace Lane, down to the River.
You will see Old Trumpeter’s House, built on the sight of the middle Gate House.
See ’Sue’s’ web page for more details of this area.
Find yourself on the Riverwalk.
You may go downstream and cross two bridges going across the river and back.
Our walk took us south, along the Right Bank, past Asgill House, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asgill_House
Richmond Place, now known as Asgill House, is a Grade I listed 18th-century Palladian villa on Old Palace Lane in Richmond, London, overlooking the River Thames. The house is on the former site of the river frontage and later the brewhouse for the medieval and Tudor Richmond Palace.
the Riverwalk is part of the Thames Path, https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/thames-path/
The Thames Path is a National Trail following the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton, south east London. It is about 184 miles long.
For the most part, as you walk upstream, you have a modestly busy river on your right and the Centuries old town of Richmond on the right. The people of Richmond have done a nice job of landscaping the the riverbank with parks and green spaces and lanes that give access to the High Street. There are also a number of places that offer refreshments such as pubs, bars, restaurants, (most with patios), and shops.
We passed under Richmond bridge.
The beauty of the River walk continues for miles, all the way into Kingston upon Thames.
We decided to to go uphill, towards Richmond Park, by way of the beautiful Terrace Gardens, Richmond .
Richmond Park is the largest of London’s Royal Parks. https://www.royalparks.org.uk
We did not make it that far.
We caught Bus 65 back to the Railway Station.
We were back in our hotel an hour after hoping on that bus.
I should add that there are countless places of interest.
Here are some websites to explore.
