can you visit richmond palace

Richmond Palace was built on the site of the old royal residence of Sheen (named from the Old English word for a 'beauty spot') in Surrey along the banks of the Thames. The royal family had taken up residence at Sheen for Christmas of 1498, but a fire broke out on December 21 and destroyed the old building, along with many valuable royal possessions.

The king decided to build a new palace in Sheen's place. Most people think of Henry VII as a miser who pinched every penny of the royal treasury, but there were several examples to contradict this image, and Richmond Palace was certainly one. The palace featured an amazing number of windows and the roof contained a large amount of lead. The new palace was ready for the royal family's use within two years. The name of "Richmond" was given to the Palace from the earldom that Henry held when he won at Bosworth Field.

Henry VIII lived at Richmond until Wolsey gave him Hampton Court Palace . Anne of Cleves lived at Richmond after her divorce and both Henry VII and his granddaughter Elizabeth I died there.

Not much of Henry VII's palace remains, but a walk around the area between Richmond Green and the Thames reveals a few sections of the Tudor structure. What remains has been made into a private residence and is not open to the public.

Richmond Palace Wiki Commons

ROYAL PALACES OF QUEEN ELIZABETH I

Richmond palace.

Richmond Palace was a Tudor Palace, built by King Henry VII , on the banks of the River Thames in Surrey. It stood on the site of an old royal palace called Sheen, which was virtually destroyed by fire in 1497, and it was named after the King (who was known as The Earl of Richmond before he won the throne from King Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485). The surrounding town of Sheen was also renamed Richmond. Henry died at the palace in 1509. Richmond Palace was one of Queen Elizabeth's favourite palaces. She often held court there and loved to hunt stags in the nearby park. Richmond Palace was also considered the warmest of the royal palaces and the Queen liked to spend winter there. As she got older, the Queen spent more time than ever at Richmond, and died there on 24 March 1603. It was thus from Richmond Palace that the Queen made her last journey, as her body was taken with all due ceremony from Richmond to Whitehall Palace, where she lay in state for a month before being buried in Westminster Abbey.

Remains of Richmond Palace Wiki Commons

Very little of the great palace survives today. Most of it was demolished in the mid 17th Century. A few fragments survive, however, like the Gatehouse, Trumpeters’ House, and the Wardrobe.

TUDOR TROPHY MYTHS: ELIZABETH I SHAKESPEARE QUIZ

Richmond Palace – Can you find this hidden gem in London?

Welcome to London, home of Royal landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. But did you know that a hidden gem is tucked away among the bustling city streets – Richmond Palace? This lesser-known palace has a rich history and stunning architecture.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at this often-overlooked palace and discover the wonders it holds within its walls.

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In Search of Richmond Palace in London

Our journey to find Richmond Palace was personal. During WWII, my dad visited here on holiday from the Royal Air Force in Halton. Along with other young Polish boys serving in the RAF, he was brought to the residence as a guest of Virginia Cherrill, known then as Lady Jersey. We confirmed this bit of family history through photos and depictions in the book “ Survivors of War ” by Dan Dobrucki.

Getting to Richmond Palace

Richmond Palace is located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, just a short train ride from central London. To get there, take the District line to Richmond Station, and then it’s about a 10-minute walk through beautiful greenery to the palace gatehouse.

Once you arrive, you’ll see a glimpse of the striking Tudor brick gatehouse.

Our Journey to Richmond Palace through Richmond Green

We traveled to the Richmond district to find the grounds of  Richmond Palace .  Stepping out of Richmond Station, we entered the bustling main avenue lined with storefronts for block after block.

We thought this was a strange place for a palace residence. We turned a corner and walked towards Richmond Green – a vast open-air park for the public.

Richmond Green is a beautiful and historic open space in Richmond, London. It covers over 12 acres of land and is surrounded by stunning architecture, such as Georgian townhouses, the Church of St Mary Magdalene, and our destination, the iconic Tudor gatehouse of Richmond Palace.

The green is known for its peaceful atmosphere, where locals and visitors can relax on the grass or take a leisurely walk around the perimeter. It also serves as a popular spot for picnics, outdoor events, and even cricket matches during the summer months. The park is well-maintained, with colorful flower beds, tree-lined paths, and benches for people to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

Its rich history dates back to the 16th century when it was used as a royal hunting ground in Richmond; Richmond Green is an integral part of the local community. It provides a place to relax for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of central London.

A Brief History of London’s Richmond Palace

This residence has roots in the 1200s and once housed several English monarchs. The palace grounds once occupied the land between the River Thames and Richmond Green.  A blue plaque on a wall identifies the property as the former residence of King Henry VII (formerly known as the Earl of Richmond) and Queen Elizabeth I.  Both of these monarchs also died at Richmond Palace.

A Residence for the Monarchy

The first monarch to reside at Richmond was Richard II in 1383. However, after his wife Anne of Bohemia died of the plague, the devastated king ordered the palace structure to be destroyed.  Just 30 years later, Henry V agreed that the location was suitable for a palace.

Henry VIII was also a resident of Richmond Palace but later was gifted Hampton Court and departed Richmond.  Two of his wives lived at this palace.  Anne of Cleeves lived here after her divorce, and Catherine of Aragon also spent some time here.

Searching for Richmond Palace in London

Hints that we were on the right path were clear upon seeing street names, including ‘Old Palace Lane’ and ‘Old Palace Yard.’  On the left side of the street, we found the old Richmond Palace.

Despite its rich history, Richmond Palace remains off the beaten path as far as castles go. Sure, King Henry VII died here.  It was under Oliver Cromwell that this palace was destroyed. But perhaps because most of the original structures no longer stand, this former residence for the British monarchy has become a minor footnote.  A visitor needs to be purposeful to search out these once-royal grounds.

After Cromwell and company oversaw the destruction of Richmond Palace, the former palace never recovered.  Over time, the grounds returned to the hands of the monarchy, though it was decided to use the grounds as a revenue generator versus rebuilding a proper royal palace.  Eventually, a series of houses were built on these grounds, made available for rent, mainly to the well-to-do crowd.

Viewing Richmond Palace

Surrounded by an extensive brick wall, getting a good view of Richmond Palace can be challenging.  An informative panel is available to read outside the property, which recaps its history as far back as the 1200s.  At one time, Richmond Palace pioneered garden spaces with England’s first-knot garden and Renaissance-style garden.

During the ensuing decades, modest structures were stood up on these grounds – wooden, not up to par with Britain’s landmark castles. But Henry VII made a worthy restoration of a palace at Richmond his mission.  In 1501, the rebuild of a palace was completed, taking on the names Sheen Palace as well as the “Palace of Richmond.”

What survives of Richmond Palace?

Much of the old Tudor palace was demolished in the 17 th  century, leaving just a few ruins and structures. Of the original Tudor buildings that face the park area, little survives.  A single wall still stands along with the Gateway, Palace Gatehouse, and a small section of The Old Palace.  Without the original buildings intact, our knowledge today of historic Richmond Palace is limited to surviving sketches and drawings of the palace.

Today, it is a private residence and only viewable to the public from the outside.

REQUEST TO READERS: If a property resident someday stumbles upon this article, we are a flight away from a trip back to London should the opportunity to tour the grounds ever arise.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

No, Richmond Palace does not exist in the form it once did. The former royal residence was severely damaged by fire, destroying nearly the entire palace. Today, the impressive view of Richmond Palace from the River Thames no longer exists as it once did. Still, the palace site holds historical significance and is marked by historic signs near Richmond Green. 

Yes, King Henry VIII did live in Richmond Palace. After the palace was built by his father, King Henry VII, Henry VIII inherited it. He spent time at the palace before he was gifted Hampton Court. Richmond Palace was also notable as the birthplace of one of Henry VIII’s sons in 1510.

After the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, Richmond Palace became known as the ‘Palace of Forgotten Queens,’ where Henry VIII would hide his past. One of his wives, Anne of Cleves, also resided in the palace following their divorce.

Listen to our Richmond Palace Podcast episode

Concluding the hunt for richmond palace in london.

This destination won’t land on the itineraries of many tourists in London. It is a fascinating hidden gem for those interested in the history of the monarchy and architecture. For us, it checked off a bucket list stop as we continued seeking historic destinations connected to our family history.

What destinations are part of your genealogical pilgrimage?

Thanks for reading – and we hope to see you at the places where we go Julie & Art

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Art Dobrucki is a travel writer and podcast host for The Places Where We Go. With his wife Julie, they bring their travel stories to curious travelers to inspire adventures. Art is also a composer and keyboardist with several albums to his credit. Check out more information on our About Us page.

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Richmond: the lost palace

Tuesday 12 July 2016 | Marcus Goringe | Records and research | 20 comments

As a lifelong resident of Richmond I have been surrounded by the remnants of a lost palace, hidden in almost plain sight, but like most others never given it more than a passing thought.

Since starting work at The National Archive ten weeks ago I have found myself drawn to the history of Richmond Palace and its importance over the last 900 years: where did this palace go and what happened there?

Richmond Palace by Wyngaerde, c.1558-62 (Image: Wikimedia Commons )

My aim in this blog is to follow Richmond Palace from its creation to its eventual destruction, and its modern resurrection, using the resources and veritable treasure trove of documents that chart its turbulent history. I’m attempting to help bring this palace back into the forethought of the public memory, in the hope others will look into this fascinating building.

Modern map of the Richmond area with the palace highlighted in the red circle

Utilising the archive’s extensive materials and records on crown lands and property to follow the palace throughout the years allowed me to build an understanding that shows more then a simple history book version of the palace. It became not simply a building, but a hub of activity and often contentious action that helps to show the last 900 years in a very personal way.

The records held in the archive provide anecdotes and notes which humanise history in a way that cannot help but to make you laugh and connect with the past in a closer way. It is a reassuring thought that though the years may separate us we are not so different from our venerable (or not so) ancestors.

There are three things that will strike you about Richmond palace should you choose to look at its varied history – and believe me, it is well worth it to do so.

The first is the sheer amount of historically significant events to have taken place inside its walls or in its name. Richmond was – especially in the Tudor period – home to arguably the most significant events of the period. From the death of Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor Dynasty, to the palace’s eventual destruction under Oliver Cromwell, it is amazing to consider how many important events took place there.

Secondly, it is the most underappreciated, unrecognised and ignored palace in English history – a fact made all the more surprising by the first point. It is often omitted from narratives in favour of Hampton court in the Tudor period, and its roles before and after only mentioned in the most general of descriptions. Maybe this is due to the fact that the palace no longer stands or that the survival of Hampton court has superseded it, as Henry VIII’s infamy overshadowed the work of his father. Overall it must be said if one were not to look for Richmond Palace it would be very easy to never know it existed, despite all that happened there.

Lastly, and possibly explaining why it no longer stands and its unknown standing in history, Richmond Palace is without a doubt the unluckiest property you will ever have researched. Through cruel twists of fate or merely the whims of the powers that be, this building always suffered at the hands of history. This property has endured so much bad luck I am surprised that even its one remaining wall still stands. For that is all that is left of the once magnificent palace: a single forgotten wall.

Domesday to Henry VII

The first noted history of the site that was to become Richmond Palace was in the Domesday book. The manor of Shene (later spelt Sheen) was part of the royal manor of Kingston; it was owned by Otto de Grandson, a knight from savoy who worked for the English crown and Edward I. Upon Edward’s death, de Grandson left England and the manor reverted to royal hands. It was later, in the reign of Richard II, that the first major works were done on the manor. Around the mid 14th century the manor was enlarged, reinforced and embellished to make it in to a true royal residence, taking the name of Shene (Sheen) Palace and becoming separate from the lands of Kingston.

A 17th century survey of Richmond Palace (catalogue reference E 317/Surrey/46)

Richard II was the first monarch to take Richmond as his home; he and his new wife Anne of Bohemia settled there in 1383. This is when tragedy struck the palace for the first time, in what would become a series of unfortunate events leading to the its downfall: Anne died from the plague, a blow from which Richard never truly recovered. His mourning for her was so great he demanded the palace they shared be destroyed. Shene Palace was destroyed completely and its resources reused round the country (Foreign account roll, 3 Hen IV, rot H).

Its first resurrection was under Henry V, 30 years later. He decided that he wanted a palace in the area and attempted a large scale upheaval of the land. He planned for a large stone building, but due to the constant wars with France money was diverted from the palace. The palace fell into neglect, with very little work done during the remainder of Henry V’s reign and none after his death. The palace was left mostly made from wood.

New work was only undertaken in 1445 when the new Sheen palace was hurriedly repaired to house Henry VI’s wife Margaret of Anjou. After this very little work was done – only general repairs and maintaining the palace.

Five years after his ascension to the throne Edward IV gifted the palace to his wife, Queen Elizabeth Woodville, as her residence for life. She held and maintained the palace until 1487, when it was taken from her by Henry VII.

A period of splendor

We now come to a period of growth and splendor under the control of Henry Tudor. Henry went to great efforts and expense (catalogue reference: E 101/414/6, f.3) to raise a palace that would be the rival of any in Europe, a crowning achievement in his new kingdom. As the work was ongoing, however, disaster struck once more: while the court was there for Christmas in 1497, it is thought that a fire in the private chambers got out of hand. It raged for three hours and destroyed almost all the palace. Ancient tapestries were left as ashes and much more was destroyed. The damage was extensive and it was considered to have cost more than 60,000 ducats to repair.

Fortunately Henry, unlike his predecessors, was unwilling to let the ruin lie and immediately embarked on a mission to restore his palace, hiring various master craftsman (catalogue reference: E 101/414/16 ; E 101/415/3,). Around four years later, in 1501, the palace was completed and commented upon to be a true renaissance palace in England. Henry formally renamed Sheen Palace, and in his family’s honour it would now be known as the palace of Richmond (catalogue reference: E 404). Soon after the whole area would be known as Richmond.

This was an unfortunately short period of tranquility for the ever-turbulent Richmond. In the year 1506 yet another fire broke out in the king’s chamber, destroying the room but luckily not damaging the structure of the building itself (Great Chronicle, p. 330).

A second fire was bad enough, but much worse was to come. In 1507, Prince Henry had just finished walking through the galleries when for no reason they collapsed, almost killing the would-be king. Furious, Henry had the builders imprisoned and the whole palace renovated but it was just one more step in the wrong direction for the palace.

Plan of Richmond Palace, as it appeared in 1701 (catalogue reference: MPE 1/428)

Palace of the forgotten queens

The next period of its history was a convoluted one, with many residents walking its halls. It seems Henry VIII did not share his father’s love for the palace and instead took Hampton Court to be his home. He passed Richmond off to Wolsey, and once Wolsey fell from power it became the ‘Palace of forgotten queens’ where Henry would hide his past conquests in favour of his new paramours.

It is in this way that the palace came to house Catherine of Aragon and Mary, and later it was given in the divorce settlement to Anne of Cleves. While held in little regard by their father, Henry’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth both came to love Richmond Palace. Mary took her honeymoon there and Elizabeth spent much of her time at Richmond in her reign, and delighted in hunting red deer in her newly named ‘Newe Parke of Richmonde’ (now the Old Deer Park) and often had plays performed in its halls, notably many of the plays of William Shakespeare. Elizabeth, like her grandfather, died in Richmond Palace and left it to a successor who did not much care for it. James much preferred the palace at Westminster and allowed once again for Richmond to become nothing more then the house for royal children.

The end of the palace

Petition against the building of a stable submitted in 1873 by Colonel Wilbraham (catalogue reference: CR35)

We come now to the greatest tragedy to fall on the most beautiful of palaces: Oliver Cromwell. After the execution of Charles I it did not take long for the commonwealth to strip the palace of everything of worth, right down to the stone from which it was built, for profit and to destroy a symbol of the monarchy they had come to hate.

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Richmond. A small manor house was built but the palace never recovered. What was left fell into disrepair and the ruins were never rebuilt.

As time went on and the lands fell back into the hands of the crown, no one seemed to want to waste the money on rebuilding the palace. Instead, the crown eventually started letting out the grounds to bring in revenue.

By the early 18th century the land had been split into many new houses; the largest of these were the Trumpeters house and Asgil house, which together claimed most of the front of the land facing the Thames and still survive to this day. The remaining lands have been split into various and changing houses that typically have the name of what previously lay in its place – for instance the stables, the wardrobe, the gatehouse and the maids of honour row.

While available to rent from the crown by anyone, it has always attracted people of significant background, from Colonel Wilbraham and the Earl of Cholmondeley to George Cave, who was at one point Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain (and to whom a plaque still stands).

By looking through the archive one can trace the entire history of the palace down to the men who lived there, from its humble beginnings as a knight’s manor to its time as the crowning glory of the Tudor dynasty, until its eventual fall to nothing. What more can be said but that the palace has a beautiful wealth of history and terrible penchant for the unlucky. Were it not for the still-standing Hampton Court, Richmond might be a household name in the historical community rather than an almost forgotten footnote.

If you have found anything interesting in this blog, as I did when I came to write it, I urge you to look up these files and see the wealth of stories left behind – too numerous to recount here. Failing that, all one needs to do is walk round Richmond to see the signs of the once powerful palace lost in plain sight.

archives sector , Henry VIII , local history , richmond

20 comments

Excellent piece; absolutely fascinating. A great read and, interestingly, about a part of local history that is not often covered.

Check out time team series for Richmond palace well worth a watch with excavations in various places on the site all these years later

I would like to mention the four Treasury documents in the T 1 series on fines in 1757 relating to the former site of the Palace, you will need to search under “Palace of Richmond”, other files are also listed under “Richmond Palace”. As far as Cromwell goes this is my view no different from Henry VIII destroying the monasteries for a similar reason.

Would you have any thoughts on where I may find any records concerning the stained glass that might have been at Richmond Palace? I know from the internet that a me flowers wascomissioned to make some but can find nothing else I have looked in the local study section if Richmond library but again no luck

There was a nice flow of tragedy in this blog on the “Lost Palace.” Charles 1 was a key resident in the Palace and his death by treason would be an interesting aspect to explore in more depth. This was a key time for the Palace and its fate may have all come down to the “unlucky” turn of events which left the King executed as he was held to account by Parliament.

I would also love more details about the treasures the Palace held and especially, where the artwork which survived the fires, is now located?

Thank you, and well done for a very interesting piece. The history of Richmond Palace is indeed quite incredible, and as such has been researched quite extensively before – none more so than by the late, great, local historian, John Cloake in his two volume book, ‘Palaces and Parks of Richmond and Kew’. As a very keen amateur Richmond local historian myself, I hope you will not mind if I offer just a minor piece of critique:- I am NOT an expert on the Palace by any means – however – you are correct in saying Shene was renamed as Richmond – but I’m not quite sure it is correct to show the same connection between Shene and today’s Sheen?! (As an aside, my former school was ‘Shene Grammar’ in East Sheen – the name of which reflects the time when the Richmond County School for boys was combined with the Sheen County School). Also, if I have understood your blog correctly, it appears you are saying all the surviving ‘old’ buildings are from a later c.18th Century period?? I reiterate, I am not an expert on Richmond Palace, but it was/is my belief that some parts, including the Gate House and the Wardrobe, were surviving parts of Henry VII’s original early16th Century Tudor Palace?! As I said though, thanks and well done for an interesting article.

I thought I’d have to read a book for a disovcery like this!

Well done Marcus! A very interesting history of somewhere forgotten with time!

Thank you for the very interesting post, I always thought that Sheen and Richmond were 2 different Palaces. ?? I do have a question ? Can I get the book the John Cloake wrote about ” Palaces and Parks in Richmond and Kew, in the States????!, and are the files on the Lost Palace available on line??! Any info greatly appreated.

Thanks for your comment.

We’re unable to help with research requests on the blog, but if you go to our contact us page: http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/contact/ you’ll see how to get in touch with our record experts via phone, email or live chat.

I hope that helps.

I am interested in understanding why Henry VII took the palace from Elizabeth Woodville, who, if my limited knowledge of 15th century England is correct, was his mother-in-law.

Thank you so much for your research. As an American keen on English history, I love blogs such as this.

i have always thought 2 of the most important an fascinating Tudor palaces, Greenwich and Richmond, were gone to history and wondered why no one cared. Thank you for reviving interest.

Thank you for your wonderfully researched account of this sad place. sad, because so often it seemed to make a great effort to rise again, only to drop into disrepair and despair. I lived in The Wardrobe from 1965 – 68 (I think), and were told that Elizabeth died in the gatehouse while a messenger waited under the arch to take the news to James. (not a likely story)!It was a much loved building by me and my two young children who loved nothing more than running up the stairs, then round through the upstairs rooms and out again, and down under what we thought was the Minstrels Gallery. Once inside the Georgian front door is the Tudor front – the only remnant of the Tudor building but even more magical for that! I would love to know what the original purpose of “The Wardrobe” could have been.

The Wardrobe in Old Palace Yard was used for Royal clothing and trunks of Queen Elizabeths dresses were found there and they were many. My Husbands great great grandfather Churchill Julius was born there, his father Dr Frederick Julius resided there with his siblings and his father Dr George Julius resided there from the early 1800s. The Julius family resided there for a large period of the 1800s. The Wardrobe at this time was one complete dwelling not divided into appartments.

In a poem “Sollitudo regia Richmondiensis” contained in a volume of poetry published in the early eighteenth century Vincent Bourne writes of Richmond as a place the king sometimes retired to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Court. In the absence of Richmond Palace, where would he have resided in Richmond?

Thank you. That was wonderful to read and has spurred me into researching more about what was left of these buildings. Thanks

I am part of this bloodline and would like to know how to claim or get in contact with some of my relatives over in richmond England. I would love to bring the castle back

Hi Marcus, a gear narrative. I’d love to re-visit your sources at the National Archive, are they listed anywhere?

Interesting article, thank you.

You say just a wall remains of the Tudor Palace. Aren’t the gatehouse and the Wardrobe part of the original 1501 palace?

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Discovery Richmond

Guided tours of richmond upon thames, london, richmond palace remains.

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Built by Henry VII on the site of former medieval palaces, you can still see the gatehouse and wardrobe buildings of Elizabeth I’s favourite winter home. The nearby Green was home to jousting tournaments during the reign of Henry VIII.

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Waterlily House

The tiny and irresistibly steamy Waterlily House in Kew Gardens shelters a gigantic Victoria cruziana water lily, with gourds of all shapes and sizes…

Isabella Plantation

Floral fans to Richmond Park should visit this 16-hectare plantation, a stunning woodland garden created after WWII, when the rhododendrons, azaleas and…

Queen Charlotte’s Cottage

This idyllic, thatched cottage in the southwest of Kew Gardens was popular with ‘mad’ George III and his wife; the carpets of bluebells around here are a…

Petersham Meadows

Once part of the Ham House estate, pastoral Petersham Meadows – where cows still graze – is a perfectly bucolic slice of rural England, especially if you…

Marianne North Gallery

This gallery in Kew Gardens displays the botanical paintings of Marianne North, an indomitable traveller who roamed the continents from 1871 to 1885,…

Treetop Walkway

In the Arboretum, the fascinating Treetop Walkway first takes you underground and then 18m up in the air into the tree canopy.

Hampton Court Palace presses up against 445-hectare Bushy Park, a semiwild expanse with herds of red and fallow deer.

Designed by Sir William Chambers, this elegant Grade I listed plant house in Kew Gardens is home to a cafe.

More destinations you need to see

Imagine if the Lost Richmond Palace Was Still Standing Today…

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 28th November 2022

Categories Castles , England , Secret History

Last Updated on 28th November 2022 by Sophie Nadeau

Situated in southwest London in a borough which was once a town in its own right, Richmond is a beautiful area characterised by its centuries-old deer park, wide open spaces, and charming small town vibe to be found in the centre of the settlement. What you may not know, however, is that there was once a Richmond Palace , which has since become long lost to the ravages of time…

Richmond Palace from SW Elevation by Wyngaerde c.1558-62. via Wikipedia

River Thames: Millennia Worth of History along the water’s edge

A brief history of richmond palace, the end of the palace of richmond, how to visit the remains of tudor richmond palace.

All along the stretch of the River Thames, traces of history can be found around every turn. After all, in the area close to St Paul’s Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe, little fragments dating back millennia can be found along the Thames foreshore.

From the remains of clay pipes to Roman coins, and even fossils of creatures who lived millions of years ago can all be found along the water’s edge. For more information on combing the foreshore, or ‘mudlarking’ as Londoners so fondly refer to it, I highly recommend following Jason Sandy on Instagram.

What he finds will well and truly surprise (and perhaps shock!) you. If you want to take a wander around the Thames for yourself, here’s my free and self-guided walking tour of Central London , which will take you to some of the lesser-known spots in central London.

Once occupying the space between Richmond Green and the River Thames, Richmond Palace was constructed at the beginning of the 16th-century by Henry VII. Prior to ascending to the throne, Henry was known as the Earl of Richmond, a title he had won following the Battle of Bosworth.

This means that Henry VII actually named Richmond Castle after himself! The palace was built on the site of a much older palace by the name of Sheen. Unfortunately, the majority of this castle was destroyed, or at the very least badly damaged, by a great fire at Christmas of 1497.

Much of the former Sheen Palace had been constructed in wood and was engulfed in flames soon after the fire started. Upon rebuilding, the entire area, including the nearby town of Sheen, was renamed Richmond.

Perhaps rather interestingly, the word ‘Sheen’ derives from the old English word meaning ‘Beauty Spot’. Even today, the view onto the River Thames from the town of Richmond Upon Thames is protected by a special Act of Parliament!

During its heyday, highlights of Richmond Palace included the first knot garden in England, as well as the first Renaissance-style garden in England. It was here, in Richmond Palace, where Henry VII died in 1509. Nearly a century later, in 1603, Queen Elizabeth I also died at the palace.

Throughout her reign, Richmond was among Elizabeth’s favourite residences; she spent many a happy hour in the grounds there hunting or cosying up inside in the winter months.

Other notable figures to have inhabited the Palace include Henry VIII (before he was gifted Hampton Court ) and Anne of Cleeves following her divorce from Henry VIII. Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII even stayed at the Palace of Richmond for a while.

Although there are sketches and drawings of the palace, our knowledge about Richmond Castle is limited at best. Sadly the Tudor palace was all but demolished in the 17th-century, leaving behind the smallest number of ruins, few of which survive to this day.

Following the execution of Charles I, the Commonwealth Parliament sold off the palace for the princely sum of £13,000. This was the case with many of the other Royal residence and buildings up and down the country. The once ornate palace filled with glass windows and a heavy lead roof was broken up and dismantled to be sold off in parts.

When visiting London, should you find yourself with a spare half day or so, then I highly recommend leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and heading to the South West area where Richmond can be found.

Once there, a deer park, the allegedly haunted Ham House , and plenty of independent boutiques are there to be explored. While in the area, you may also want to make time to visit Richmond Green, which is located a couple of hundred metres from the High Street.

While the park itself has little by way of attractions, to the corner of the green space you’ll discover the remains of the Tudor Royal Residence. Several plaques full of information are there to be perused, as well as the remains of the Gatehouse and several buildings, including the Trumpeter’s House and Wardrobe.

You’ll know that you’re in the right area when you spot street names such as ‘Old Palace Lane’ and ‘Old Palace Yard’ . So head out and discover a royal history that few know about and even fewer venture out to discover. What are you waiting for?

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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• May 12, 2023

Tudor Architecture and Royal Legacy: Exploring the Richmond Palace

Updated: Jun 15, 2023

Richmond, a charming town located in South West London, is home to one of the most iconic royal residences in British history - the Richmond Palace, a relic of the Tudor era that enchants history connoisseurs and the casually curious alike.

Our self-guided audio walking tour of Richmond traverses the breadth of this historic landscape. But for now, let's embark on a whirlwind journey through the corridors of time to the palace's illustrious beginnings.

Emerging from the architectural genius of Henry VII in 1497, Richmond Palace was more than a mere royal abode—it was a testament to the grandeur and majesty of the Tudor period. Henry VIII, in his penchant for amplifying splendor, further expanded and refurbished the palace, transforming it into a hunting lodge and a lavish space for entertaining dignitaries.

The palace bloomed under the reign of Elizabeth I, who claimed it as her primary residence, enhancing its stature as a royal domicile. The palace's architecture was a magnificent spectacle of Tudor design, sporting monumental chimneys, ornate brickwork, and meticulous detailing—a veritable feast for the eyes.

The palace's blueprint followed a courtyard-centric arrangement, typical of the era's regal residences. The gatehouse, an imposing edifice adorned with elaborate decorations and often equipped with guest suites, beckoned visitors into the palace's outer courtyard.

Beyond the courtyard, the main palace building unfolded, housing royal apartments inclusive of the king's and queen's bedchambers, a grand hall for social gatherings, a chapel, and a variety of other rooms catering to the court's needs. These spaces, festooned with carved wooden paneling, intricate plaster ceilings, and grand fireplaces, were a testament to the period's aesthetic sensibilities.

The palace's hallowed halls bore witness to historical milestones, such as the rendezvous between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Regrettably, the march of time and the relentless hammer of demolition during the 17th and 18th centuries have left only a few structures standing today—the gatehouse, the wardrobe, and the trumpet gate. Yet, remnants of the palace's former glory, like the enduring Tudor brickwork, linger in these surviving edifices, whispering tales of a bygone era.

Many more Richmond stories and London walks await. Discover more local history with our Richmond audio tour , and see which nearby London neighborhoods you want to explore next!

Gesso was created for urban explorers who find joy in life's hidden gems. Find audio tours on the Gesso app, available via the App Store or Google Play , and share your London adventures with us @gesso.app on Instagram.

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Things To Do in Richmond, London: A Quintessential English Village

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Richmond, London is a beautiful English village on the outskirts of the city. If you are planning a trip to London – don’t miss Richmond! I was lucky enough to live here for a year – here are the best things to do in beautiful Richmond…

“Where is your favorite place in London?” I honestly couldn’t tell you how many times I have been asked this. After telling people I lived in London for nearly six years, I guess this is an obvious question.

There are so many aspects of life in London that I loved and so many places I would recommend visiting and would go to myself, again and again, but my answer to this question is always the same.

The River Thames meanders its way through this picturesque village, past quaint riverside pubs and grand old houses; numerous walking trails follow its course.

The tree-lined Richmond Village Green, the remains of a Royal Palace, London’s largest Royal Park where wild deer roam, cherry red telephone booths, and a lively High Street only add to its charm.

The embodiment of the quintessential English Village. Richmond is it.

Richmond was classed as part of Surrey until 1965 when it was handed over to London, and Richmond is now part of the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames. It is connected to the city by overland train and is on the District Line for the tube.

I was lucky enough to call Richmond home for a year of my life in London. It is an expensive place to live but I was determined to move there, no matter the cost.

It was obviously meant to be as when we were searching for places online, we found a place within our price range in a beautiful part of Richmond, right on the river. Literally.

It was a two-bedroom houseboat, moored on the River Thames.

I couldn’t contain my excitement when we went to view it one rainy February day, and as soon as we saw it we were in love. We told the agent right then and there that we were taking it.

And so began our magical year of life on the river.

During my year in Richmond, I explored it fully. Here are the best things to do in Richmond, London.

The Best Things To Do in Richmond, London

Enjoy the outdoors in richmond, london.

One of the reasons that I love Richmond so much is because of the wide-open spaces. It seems that everywhere you look there are beautiful parks and gardens.

Richmond is absolutely one of the most beautiful places in a city of beautiful places: London truly is one of the best cities in England and it’s a Photographer’s dream .

Nature is wild here and I spent countless hours exploring on foot and by bike. Visiting Richmond Park and seeing the deer is absolutely one of the best free things to do in London .

Crimson colors light up the park in Autumn, which is my favorite time of the year to visit London . It is mating season for the deer and male deer ‘rut’ with each other, fighting over the females.

In spring, daffodils carpet the grounds of the grand Pembroke Lodge, which is now a tearoom. The ornamental woodland gardens of the Isabella Plantation are a peaceful place to visit any time of the year.

Richmond Park is truly one of London’s greatest hidden gems .

Small pockets of green space spread out along the course of the river. People picnic by the water in summer and feed the geese and ducks, who have become used to being spoilt with sandwich crusts.

The Terrace Gardens occupy a grassy hillside above the river. Seasonal flower beds, regal fountains, and well-maintained paths make this a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. The homely Hollyhock Café serves up delicious vegetarian food in a peaceful setting.

Visit the Best Pubs in Richmond, London

The Roebuck Pub (currently closed for refurbishment) sits on Richmond Hill above the gardens and has the best pub view in Richmond. Looking out over the Thames River Valley and surrounding meadows, it is one of the best spots for a drink in Richmond.

This stunning view is actually protected by a specific act of parliament, and rightly so. It is pretty damn dreamy.

We frequented a lot of the pubs in Richmond, especially for the quintessential English Sunday roast. The Pitcher and Piano located beside Richmond Bridge is great for drinks and sharing plates, sitting outside on their large open deck fronting the river.

The White Cross is right on the river’s edge and is partially in the river when the tide gets really high. The Thames floods on a regular basis and the flooding has become a tourist attraction in itself. Time your visit right or you may get trapped here when the waters rise.

The White Swan was my favorite pub and is Richmond’s best-kept secret. Tucked away on a small lane behind the village green, most people don’t know it’s there. It is only tiny but there is nowhere like it for an incredible meal and a couple of pints.

Settle in by the fire and listen to the locals catching up on gossip or sit out the back in the sunny beer garden.

On a warm, sunny day, a great spot for lunch is Stein’s on the river. Just past the beautiful 18th-century stone arches of Richmond Bridge, Stein’s is a German beer garden and restaurant serving up hearty food and authentic Munich beer.

If you’re a Ted Lasso Fan (who isn’t!), don’t miss having a drink at Ted’s favorite drinking hole – The Crown & Anchor on Richmond Green. It is, in fact, a real pub but it’s called The Prince’s Head in the real world.

Get Out on the Water in Richmond

To take advantage of Richmond’s prime waterfront location, a popular activity in summer is to hire kayaks or rowboats for some time out on the water.

If you aren’t feeling particularly energetic, you can take the one-hour return boat trip down to Teddington. There are also a few boat cafes in Richmond that offer a scenic choice for lunch.

The walking options around Richmond are endless and as well as my regular walks on the grounds of Richmond Park, you could find me walking riverside most days.

Walking to Isleworth was a pleasure and was probably the walk that I did the most as it was about one one-hour return: the perfect amount of time for an after-work stroll.

Passing Richmond Lock and walking along the towpath, only minutes away from the tourist hub of the Richmond waterfront near Richmond Bridge, I would hardly see anyone along this section of the river.

There is a section of the walk where you have to leave the riverfront and walk along a road for a bit, then it’s back to the river and past a beautiful pub, a houseboat community, and the shipbuilding yards (where the houseboat I lived in was towed to be fixed after springing a leak).

The walk ends at the historic London Apprentice in Old Isleworth, a great pub with a balcony that extends over the river. It is said that Henry VIII and Oliver Cromwell both frequented the pub and Charles Dickens mentioned it in his weekly periodical, ‘All Year Round’.

The nearby All Saints Church, the tower dating back to the 14 th Century, has a creepy overgrown cemetery scattered with slanted gravestones with faded epitaphs; sinking slowly into the earth. I love old cemeteries and this one is always so quiet, which makes it even spookier.

Exploring west along the south bank of the Thames from Richmond, the walk to Teddington passes regal Ham House and continues through the woods to Teddington Lock.

The further away from the city you get, the cleaner the notoriously dirty Thames becomes, and we have actually seen people swimming in it near Teddington (I still don’t think I would risk it!)

Explore Neighboring Ham Village

Ham is also a sleepy little hamlet as well as a historic riverside house that you can visit. We biked through there on numerous occasions after a bike ride through Richmond Park.

In Autumn, the path beside Ham House is surrounded by brilliant yellow-leafed trees. There is a pretty Village Green and a common with a duck pond.

Nearby, the churchyard of St Peter’s Church is the last resting place of Captain George Vancouver, which the city of Vancouver and Vancouver Island in Canada are named for.

Visit Kew Gardens

The famous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are just down the river from Richmond and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

They encompass a massive 300 acres and include the magnificent 400-year-old Kew Palace, a treetop walkway, glasshouses, formal gardens, woodland, ponds, galleries, and museums. You could spend days exploring.

If you are visiting London over Christmas , Kew is at its most beautiful then, with beautiful light and sound displays.

Explore Twickenham and Its Manor Houses

The busy township of Twickenham is another destination along the Thames River path on the north side of the river. There are numerous pubs along the path and many riverside parks where you can feed the geese and swans. Opulent manorhouses line the path. 

Two of the grandest houses, Marble Hill and Orleans House, are National Trust properties (as is Ham House on the other side of the river) and can be visited on tours and for exhibitions.

Discover Richmond Town Center

Back in Richmond, the bustling high street is always buzzing with activity, especially on summer weekends. It’s a lively atmosphere but it can feel a bit too crowded some days. Historic cobbled lanes lined with interesting stores run off the main street, and they exude more of a country village vibe.

If you are a cheese lover, head to the Teddington Cheese Company on Richmond Hill. It smells like dirty socks which only attests to the great quality of the cheese.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Richmond Duckpond Market is held down by the river at Heron Square. This market may be small but there is some fantastic fresh produce, freshly baked bread, arts and crafts, and various food stalls

Wander What Remains of Richmond Palace

What remains of Richmond Palace is also on the Green. The site is now a small courtyard surrounded by brick buildings. Built by King Henry VII, the palace replaced the old royal residence of Shene that burnt down in 1499. 

The Palace was once the winter home of Queen Elizabeth I (she died here in 1603) and her father, King Henry VIII, lived here for a period before relocating to Hampton Court Palace.

Of the Palace buildings that are still standing, the Gatehouse is the oldest and was completed in 1501. The original gate hinges are still intact although the gate itself isn’t. You can actually just go right up and touch them. As a bit of a history nerd that blows my mind.

The ‘Wardrobe’, which was used to store soft furnishings, dates to the 16 th Century and has since been converted into apartments. Trumpeter’s House was built much later in 1702-03 as was the Maids of Honour row which was built in 1724-25.

I used to walk through here on the way to work and it thrilled me to no end that I was walking in the footsteps of long passed Kings and Queens.

There are so many reasons why Richmond is one of the most special places in the world to me but essentially I think that it is what I dreamed an English village to be like: Cozy pubs, rambling fields, a tight-knit community, historic houses, local markets , and with history around every corner.

Have I convinced you to visit Richmond, London? Are you a fan of English country villages like me?

The Best Places To Stay in Richmond, London

I highly recommend staying at least a couple of nights in Richmond and there are lots of great options for places to stay, no matter your budget. Check cozycozy for a wide range of options.

Top hotels and inns in Richmond include the historic and traditional Dukes Head Inn , the beautiful and modern Orange Tree Hotel , the elegant Petersham Hotel , the luxurious Richmond Harbour Hotel and Spa , and the classic Georgian Richmond Hill Hotel .

For affordable and centrally-located vacation rentals, here are my top picks:

• Cozy Studio in Richmond
• Quiet, Super Large Studio Near Richmond
• Refurbished Townhouse Studio in Twickenham
• Lovely Two Bedroom Flat in Richmond Town Center

The Best Insurance For Your London Trip

Make sure you get travel and health insurance before your London trip.  Safety Wing  is my go-to and they are cheap and easy to claim with.

Safety Wing also allows you to sign up when you are already traveling, unlike a lot of other travel insurance providers.

If you liked this post, check out some of my other London and Europe content:

• The Most Beautiful Parks in London For a Winter Stroll
• What Life is Really Like Living on a Houseboat in London
• The Best Markets in London
• The Most Beautiful Places To Visit in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus
• How To Best Explore Cyprus By Car: 1-2 Week Itinerary
• Epic Places To Visit on a Crete Road Trip
• Where To Stay in Crete: The Best Options To See All of the Highlights
• The Most Beautiful Towns in Dordogne Region of France
• A Perfect Day Hiking the Amalfi Coast of Italy
• La Gomera: The Undiscovered Canary Island

28 Comments on Things To Do in Richmond, London: A Quintessential English Village

Hi Katie – A great read. Incredibly interesting and knowledgeable. Lucky to be there and experience so many places with you. Mind blowing.

Glad I got to show you both Richmond.

Thanks Lisa!

Thanks for sharing please keep shairng

We biked through there on numerous occasions and its amazing that you shared this valuable information with others as well, thankyou.

Thanks for the brief overview. I’m planning to visit these all places soon 🙂

It looks more cute in winters.

It is beautiful in winter

I also lived in Englefield Green (only a few miles away) for 7 years, and I’m sad to say I never actually visited Richmond, though I did pass through it all the time on the train into London. Looks like a lovely place, though!

It is a lovely place, hope you make it there in the future

Gorgeous! I lived in Englefield Green (only a few miles away) for 3 years

Nice, that part of London is so nice

During the riots of 2011, Richmond was the only London borough to have no arrests for rioting. We are very proud of this.

I didn’t realise that, I had moved to Southfields at the time of the riots

Living in Richmond would be a dream coming true! I first need a bigger bank account haha. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful area.

I know, it definitely ain’t cheap! It was actually cheaper for us to live in a houseboat than living in a regular house or apartment in the area crazily enough

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Very nice pictures of Richmond, although one or two of Strand-on-the-Green Chiswick seem to have crept in, too! 🙂

whoah this blog is excellent i like reading your articles. Keeep uup tthe great work! You realize, mazny individuals are hunting arounmd for this info, you ccan help them greatly.

Love the wat the buildings and the nature looks in the pictures.

So ashamed to say that I never visited Richmond during my time in London and really wish I had now. It is so stunning!

Thanks Jen, if you ever make it back to London make sure you visit 🙂

Gorgeous! I lived in Englefield Green (only a few miles away) for 3 years, and I’m sad to say I never actually visited Richmond, though I did pass through it all the time on the train into London. Looks like a lovely place, though!

That’s a shame you didn’t make it to Richmond, I hope that you get a chance to visit sometime in the future 🙂

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Elizabeth I, at Richmond Palace.

• April 21, 2021
• Daniela Jacques

When staying at Richmond Palace Queen Elizabeth I, according to one of her earliest biographers, Edmund Bohan, was always the consummate professional and would start her mornings working on official business. This was usually followed by a walk around the palace’s grounds. Sometimes around the enclosed galleries that looked down across the gardens and tennis courts. which provided a nice place to walk if it was raining or too cold to walk outside. Richmond Palace was the Tudor Queen’s favourite winter residence as the smaller apartments made the Palace one of her warmest, certainly compared with Whitehall and Greenwich. The Queen described it as, “That warm winter box to shelter my old age.”

“That warm winter box to shelter my old age.”

In the afternoons Elizabeth would often travel to the surrounding areas in her pumpkin-shaped carriage, perhaps to visit her great advisor and friend, John Dee who lived in Mortlake.  

John Dee, Royal Astronomer, Alchemist, Occultist, and Astrologer, acted as a tactical and strategic aid for Elizabeth’s ruling and as her spiritual guide. She found his immense and often esoteric knowledge fascinating. He boasted one of the largest libraries of rare manuscripts and books in Europe. Dee’s advice was instrumental in many of the big military and diplomatic moments of Elizabeth I’s monarchy, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Dee was one of her most valuable friends and advisors but around 1584 he left the country, it seems with the Queen’s blessing. He went in pursuit of the Philosopher’s Stone. The legend of the Stone was in its ability to transmute base metals into gold and prolong life and a fascination for Dee.

Elizabeth must have been a steely woman. As a child, she had witnessed her father sending her mother to her death. As a teenager she walked the finest lines. A protestant like her father and brother (Edward VII) who died King at the age of fourteen, she then lived under the rule Her Catholic sister Mary who with the weight of Catholic Europe behind her remained ever suspicious of Elizabeth’s threat to her rule and the countries return to allegiance with the Vatican.

As strong and clever as she was, finding herself as Queen at the age of twenty-five must have been daunting. The sole reigning monarch of a religiously divided country. Elizabeth was under the constant threat of being assassinated or imprisoned by supporters of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots.

Almost daily, Elizabeth would ride or hunt red deer in Old Deer Park (her ‘Newe Parke of Richmonde’, The Richmond Park of today did not yet exist) She would ride with her Master of Horse, Sir Robert Dudley. Dudley was another very important man in Elizabeth’s life. He was her first love and probably remained the truest of her life. She called him her “sweet Robin” they had been childhood friends when Dudley’s father counselled her brother as King and their relationship endured.

During Mary I’s time on the throne, Princess Elizabeth was living at Hatfield she would sometimes visit her sister at Richmond. At this time Dudley and his family were involved in a political rebellion for which he spent time as a prisoner in the Tower of London. Most of his family’s wealth and standing were now lost. No hope of marriage to Elizabeth he was married to Amy Robsart for whom’s family wealth he was now reliant.

But from the moment Elizabeth became Queen in November 1558, she kept her Sweet Robin close, giving him a role requiring regular contact. She gifted him a family home in Kew which stood on the current location of the ‘Dutch House,’ in Kew Gardens. Dudley, the first Earl of Leicester, and the Queen were now regular companions whenever she was at Richmond Palace and speculation on their relationship was rife, across the royal courts of Europe and British citizens alike. Any rumours were certainly not quelled about their relationship when in 1560 Dudley’s wife was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs, having sustained head injuries and a broken neck.

With a constant stream of visiting dignitaries, Richmond was often hosting a lavish supper or ball. One occasion is described by Guzman da Silva visiting in 1564 on behalf of Phillip II of Spain. He paints a fabulous picture of the ornate Great Hall (which would have been where Old Palace Yard is today) dramatically lit by many torches, with piles of glistening candied fruit, like jewels, on enormous tables. 

Popular in Elizabethan court was the ‘Medieval Masque’, A court entertainment that was a fusion of music, dance, poetry, and drama. The ‘players’ made up of Courtiers, wore masks and ornate disguises, festivities being led by a professional troupe. The costumes, a key element, were usually of the highest quality and style and in the most opulent and impressive fabrics. The fantastic themes of the masques were mirrored in many of the plays of William Shakespeare such as A Midsummer Nights Dream, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and Much Ado About Nothing.

Official papers document performances of Shakespear’s theatre company (The Lord Admirals) although the actual play or participating actors are sadly not recorded. There are no less than nine confirmed occasions between 1598 and Queen Elizabeth’s death that the Lord Admirals played for the Royal Court at Richmond. Their last performance was on the 3rd February 1603, just weeks before Queen Elizabeth I’s death.

One of the numerous assassination attempts on Elizabeth’s life came at Richmond in 1598. According to a letter by her Secretary of State, Sir Robert Cecil. A Spaniard by the name of Squyre was sent to poison her. By getting friendly with the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, to gain knowledge of key movements court and planned to poison the saddle of the Queen’s horse. His bid to murder to Queen failed.

The Earl of Essex was the Queen’s darling in her later years. Thirty-one years her junior, the queen had transferred all her affections from Robert Dudley to Devereux and by 1587 Devereux was her New Master of the Horse. Dudley died in 1588. The Earl’s behaviour raised eyebrows in court, he showed no respect for senior officials such as Sir Cecil and was petulant and rude to Queen. On one occasion in court, the Queen was reported to cuff the rude Earl about the ear, and he responded by half drawing his sword at her. His principal job for the realm was to crush the Irish Rebellion. He achieved no military success instead, squandering funds, bribing officers with knighthoods and humiliating the Monarch by agreeing on an unauthorised truce with the Earl of Tyrone.

Essex’s punishments were both to his status and income, he had made such enemies at court even the Queen could not defend clemency. The anger and resentment he felt at his reduced position led him into acts of rebellion and conspiring with enemies of the Queen. He was tried for treason and executed at the Tower of London in 1601. This was reportedly against Elizabthes wishes and she was said to have never fully recovered from his betrayal and death.

In March 1602 the Queen now in her late sixties but still a formidable person. A visiting French ambassador commented on the daily walks she took around Richmond Green, remarking that her ‘spirit and activity’ were greater than that expected of someone her age.

A quick decline followed, however, by the end of the same year, she was feeling much frailer and only reluctantly left Richmond for planned events happening in Whitehall that winter. While hosting she kept up outward appearances that she was well; continuing to hunt, dance and take part in all the jollification’s as usual, but underneath she was suffering and expressed so to her closest confidants.

The festivities prevented her from returning to Richmond in time for Christmas. Her passage back up the Thames to Richmond in late January 1603 was miserable, in foul weather and the Queen was suffering from a nasty cold. Encouragingly, she seemed to shrug the illness off once back in her “winter box’. Receiving a visit from the A Venetian Diplomat, Scaramelli, who visited Elizabeth in the weeks before her death to seek damages for losses to the Venetian State perpetrated by British Pirates, he gives the impression of a Queen with all presence of mind and command in tack whilst also still awe-inspiring in appearance.

“Her hair was of a light colour never made by nature, and she wore great pearls like pears round the forehead; she had a coif arched round her head and an imperial crown, and displayed a vast quantity of gems and pearls”

The first story I recall being told as a child about Richmond Palace; was of the Tudor Queen Elizabeth’s death in the room above the Gatehouse. The story was that on her last breath passing her lips, her ring was taken from her finger by her lady-in-waiting and thrown from the small window above the gate to a waiting messenger below. It was then being whisked to Scotland as proof to King James VI of Scotland that he was now also James I of the British Empire.

Robert Carey gives an account of the Queen’s death. The Carey family were the closest living blood relatives of Elizabeth, and Roberts’s sister Lady Scrope was the Queen’s Lady-in-waiting. This intimate circle of people was with the Queen during the three weeks of decline before she died on 24th March 1603. Real-life is never as neat as a legend. Certainly, some aspects of this story appear fictitious, it is impossible to believe the Queen would have died in that tiny room above the Gatehousebut. I believe it is still loosely based on what happened.

With Elizabeth’s death, the Tudor dynasty died too and Richmond Palace’s decline and eventual disappearance set on course. The Gate House now an integral part of the legend of Elizabeth I at Richmond probably simply because it is the most visible remnant of the lost palace.

Palaces and Parks of Richmond and Kew by John Cloake (Chapter X pages 117-148

https://tudortimes.co.uk/people/robert-dudley-from-the-tower-to-tilbury

https://www.hrp.org.uk/kew-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kew-palace/#gs.yiexg5

https://www.barnes-history.org.uk/deeabout.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dee

https://www.people.hps.cam.ac.uk/index/teaching-officers/kassell/readings-philosophers-stone

https://www.historyextra.com/period/elizabethan/elizabeth-i-love-life-was-she-virgin-queen-robert-dudley-earl-essex/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I#Death

http://shakespeare-online.com/biography/patronelizabeth.html

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Richmond Palace (Tudor Palace) History

What is the significance of Richmond Palace (Tudor Palace)?

Richmond Palace, the first Tudor palace was rebuilt in 1501 by the Henry VII of England, the Earl of Richmond.

Formerly known as Sheen Palace, it was built on the banks of river Thames in Surrey, England.

Built of white stone the majestic building had three lavish courtyards with towers and cupolas facing the river Thames.

The palace had three stories with 12 rooms on each floor. There was a significant amount of extravagance involved in the making of the Palace with beautiful luxurious rooms, a great hall, a chapel, and elaborate private chambers.

The ground floor contained rooms for court officials. A bridge over the moat connected the private chambers with the central courtyard with a beautiful water fountain right at the center.

The ceiling of the chapel was ornamented with beautiful plaster roses and chequered timber with wine cellars underneath.

The palace gardens had open tennis courtyards and playgrounds. There were private kitchens and public libraries as well.

The Richmond Palace has endured a lot throughout the years. It might have lost its former glory, but reminiscent of the palace still stands today evident of the forgotten stories of the great kings and queens that once lived there.

History of Richmond Palace

Originally known as the Manor of Shene, it dates back to 1299 when it was owned by Otto de Grandson, a knight who was at the service of King Edward I. Later, on Edward I’s death, Otto de Grandson left England and the manor went to the hands of the royal family.

It was during the mid-14 th century when the actual restoration work began under the reign of Richard II and it was turned into the royal Sheen Palace.

Richard II, the first monarch of Richmond lived there along with his wife Anne of Bohemia. Tragedy stroke and a deadly plague surfaced in the entire town. Anne died and Richard was devastated.

A grief-stricken Richard demanded the complete demolition of the palace and his wishes were fulfilled.

The restoration of Richmond Palace

The first major work of restoration was undertaken by Henry V. He undertook some large-scale restoration work but it halted upon his death in 1422.

In 1445, Henry VI’s wife Margaret of Anjou took over the repair work, but very little was done. In 1550, Edward IV gifted the palace to his wife Queen Elizabeth Woodville who lived there until 1487 until when it was taken over by Henry VII.

Richmond Palace: The return of grandeur

It was under Henry VII’s reign that the palace witnessed its growth and splendor. Henry quite contrary to what people called him a miser, took great efforts and spend a lot of his wealth to restore this palace. He wanted to make it the crowning glory of England.

Henry formerly renamed the Sheen Palace as the Richmond Palace to honour his family name and soon the whole area came to be known as Richmond.

Everything was working quite well until a major fire broke out on the night of the Christmas in 1497. The fire originated in one of the private chambers and turned everything into ashes.

Henry did not succumb to his loss and started with the restoration work. In 1501, the palace was complete and turned into one of the outstanding Tudor palaces of that time.

Richmond Palace has witnessed many important events during Henry’s reign. The wedding celebration of his eldest son Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon took place here. In 1503, the betrothal of Henry’s daughter Princess Margaret to King James of Scotland also took place here in this palace.

Series of misfortunes that followed Richmond Palace

Unfortunately, just 5 years later in 1506, another fire broke out in the King’s chamber, but it did not touch the other parts of the building.

In 1507, one of the galleries collapsed almost killing the would-be king. The king was furious and imprisoned its builders.

Richmond Palace: The house of forgotten queens

Henry VII died in 1509 in Richmond. His son Henry VIII exchanged the Richmond Palace with Thomas Wolsey and took Hampton Court to be his new home.

Richmond Palace soon became the favourite place for Henry’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth Tudor. Mary spent her honeymoon here after she got married to Philip II of Spain.

The palace was the winter home for Queen Elizabeth and she spent many of her nights here. She used to hunt stag in the “Newe Parke of Richmond” which is now known as Old Deer Park. It is also notable for many of the performances and plays of William Shakespeare that took place here.

Elizabeth took her final breath here and died in 1603 in Richmond.

The end of Richmond Palace

In 1625, King Charles bought this place and lived here until his execution. The Commonwealth tore down and demolished many parts of the building and sold out much of the stones.

Many restoration works were done under the reign of Charles II but it never recovered the blow. Much of the grounds were leased out to recover the loss but by this time the palace has lost its former glory.

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Richmond Palace Garden

Henry VIII re-built Richmond Palace, after 1497, and named it after Richmond Castle in Yorkshire. He died in the Palace in 1509, as did Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1603, after spending much of her life in the palace. She went hunting in what is now Richmond Park . Only the palace gatehouse survives. It was on the far side of the palace and not shown on Wyngaerde's painting. Richmond Palace had the first rensissance-influenced garden in England and the term 'knot garden' is first recorded in an account of the palace garden. The land on which the palace stood is now occupied by private houses, of considerable magnificence. The Thames has been narrowed and there is now a riverside walk between the site of the former palace and the River Thames.

Wyngaerde's 1562 painting of Richmond Palace, seen across the River Thames

Address Richmond Palace, The Wardrobe, Richmond upon Thames, London, Greater London, England

Nearby gardens

Nearby hotels

• The Academy (14.1 km away)

• Grim's Dyke Hotel (17.9 km away)

• Hotel Elstree (19.9 km away)
• Stoke Park Club Hotel & Spa (21.9 km away)

Nearby nurseries

• The Palm Centre (2.2 km away)
• PJ's Palms and Exotics (11.7 km away)
• Derek Lloyd Dean (12.6 km away)
• The Vernon Geranium Nursery (14.7 km away)
• Beechcroft Nursery (14.9 km away)

• Cottage Garden Nursery (21.3 km away)
• Spring Reach Nursery (22.1 km away)
• The Heather Society (22.7 km away)

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A ‘Ted Lasso’ Lover’s Guide to Richmond, London

By Nicholas DeRenzo March 8, 2023

Since premiering on Apple TV+ in 2020, the Emmy-winning comedy Ted Lasso has captured the hearts of Anglophiles with its sweet fish-out-of-water story about an American football coach (Jason Sudeikis) who’s recruited to lead the fictional English soccer team AFC Richmond. Now in its third season, the series dispenses with the Big Ben, Buckingham, and beefeater clichés to offer a more realistic look at life in London, centered around the town of Richmond. If you can’t get enough of the sitcom, here’s how you can spend a day exploring filming locations in and around Ted’s adopted hometown.

Where is Richmond?

Located about 10 miles southwest of London , Richmond sits at a bend in the River Thames and is home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The town takes its name from Henry VIII’s demolished Richmond Palace, and it’s adjacent to one of the king’s other favorite residences, Hampton Court Palace, which you can still visit today.

How do you get there?

In addition to buses and trains, Richmond Station is connected to Central London by the Underground’s District Line, which takes about 35 minutes from the Embankment or Westminster stations and costs £3.20 ($3.85) during off-peak hours. You can also opt for an Uber, which takes about the same amount of time and costs around £30 ($36).

What filming locations can you visit?

If you’re setting out to track down memorable spots from the show, there’s no better place to start than the exterior of Ted’s apartment, 11A Paved Court, which “plays” number 9 ½ on the show. About a five-minute stroll from the tube station, the address is proving to be just as popular for pop culture photo hounds as Hugh Grant’s blue door from Notting Hill , and it sits on a lovely little back alley lined with boutiques, a coffee and tea shop, and Chango, a fantastic Argentine empanada spot. Stop into Reale Camiceria, an Italian knitwear shop that embroidered face masks for the cast during the filming of season two.

At the end of the road near Richmond Green, you’ll find Ted’s local pub, which is known as The Crown & Anchor on the show but is actually called The Prince’s Head. While interiors were filmed on a set, the pub is leaning into its role with a wall of Ted Lasso memorabilia, including a framed Greyhounds jersey. For a tradition that’s quintessentially British, plan your trip around a Sunday roast—sort of like a year-round answer to Thanksgiving, complete with Yorkshire pudding. Nearby, you can also pay a visit to the 1899 Richmond Theatre, where team owner Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) hosts her children’s charity benefit in season 1, episode 4.

If you want to see where the squad plays, you’ll have to venture a bit farther out. AFC Richmond training scenes are filmed at Beaconsfield Road in Hayes, while their home matches at the fictional Nelson Road Stadium are shot at Selhurst Park, the HQ of the Premier League’s Crystal Place, way out in the Borough of Croydon.

Where should you eat?

In the season two premiere, Keeley (Juno Temple) and Roy (Brett Goldstein) go on a double date with Rebecca and her boring new beau. Those scenes were filmed at Gaucho Richmond, an Argentine steakhouse set right on the riverfront. The series filmed at night, with dramatic torches lighting the restaurant’s facade, but if you come for lunch or brunch, you can enjoy views out over the Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows.

Are there any tours?

If you’d rather leave the wandering up to an expert, book the Ted Lasso Walking Tour , which is led by a local actor named Emmy McMorrow and costs £26 ($31) for about two hours of sightseeing. Along the way, you’ll visit 19 different filming locations, including Ted’s “drinking and thinking bench,” the site of Keeley and Roy’s first date, and secret spots from season three before it airs.

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The Flamingo Hiker

Walks Ideas & Inspiration For Londoners

Thames Path Richmond To Kew: From A Royal Park To Royal Gardens

11 January 2022 By Lily

Embark on a journey where nature’s wonders seamlessly blend with rich cultural heritage, as the walk along the Thames Path from Richmond to Kew unfolds a tapestry of picturesque scenes and hidden gems. From the regal deer of Richmond to the tropical allure of Kew, this walk is a testament to the timeless beauty and diverse experiences that the heart of England has to offer, making it an ideal choice for a perfect day out.

Last Updated: October 2023

Beginning amidst the serene beauty of Royal Richmond Park, famous for its majestic deer and sprawling meadows, this tranquil promenade leads along the River Thames, revealing ever-changing landscapes and historic vistas. The path culminates at the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, a verdant oasis where the iconic Palm House and exotic blooms await, showcasing an extraordinary array of tropical plants and architectural marvels. This delightful journey concludes in the quintessential charm of a traditional English pub in Kew, offering a perfect retreat to reflect on the day’s discoveries.

Are you in? Then, follow me.

Logistics for the Thames Path from Richmond to Kew Walk

• Distance : 8.6 miles (13.84 miles)
• Total Ascent : 551 ft (168 m)
• Highest Point: 187 ft (57 m)
• Lowest Point: -6.5 ft (2 m)
• Walking Estimate: 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Difficulty : Easy/ Intermediate due to the distance

How to get there :

• District Line, Overground or South Western Railway trains to Richmond Station.
• The station is also well-served by buses.
• From there you can walk to Richmond Park (20 minutes) or you can take bus 371 to Cambrian Gate ( 10 minutes)

For the Return

• District Line or Overground Train from Kew Station
• Bus 110 towards Richmond (Stop H) or Chiswick (Stop N) at Kew Station
• Bus 65 towards Hammersmith (Stop D)or towards Brentford (Stop R) at Kew Garden/Victoria Gate

What to Pack

• Comfortable clothing and footwear. The terrain is flat and paved on the Thames Path however, Richmond Park can get muddy so make sure you wear waterproof footwear or bring a pair of gaiters with you.
• A backpack with water, snacks and a packed lunch.
• Headcover, sunscreen and sunglasses if the sun is out as the path is exposed
• Rain gear in case rain is forecasted for the same reason as above

Additional Information :

• There are public toilets in Richmond Park located by the park’s main entrance, Richmond Gate.
• There are public toilets at the start of the Thames Path in Richmond by the Eileen’s at Buccleuch Gardens Cafe
• There are no other public toilets available during the walk
• This is a stile-free walk
• This is a dog-friendly walk
• Not all the footpaths in Richmond Park are accessible to wheelchair and pushchair users
• The Thames Path is accessible to pushchair and wheelchair users

Where to Eat

• The Greyhound , Kew

Highlights of the Thames Path Richmond to Kew Walk

Richmond park.

• White Lodge
• River Thames
• Twickenham Bridge
• Richmond Lock
• Thisleworth Marine
• Old Deer Park
• Kew Gardens

Thames Path From Richmond to Kew Walk

Our journey commences in the historic town of Richmond, nestled in the southwest of London. This charming town owes its origins to Henry VII who, in the sixteenth century, chose this idyllic location to establish his royal abode, the Richmond Palace. He named it after Richmond in Yorkshire, a nod to his northern roots. This palace swiftly became the favourite residence of Queen Elizabeth I, who was particularly fond of hunting in the expansive nearby park, a leisure pursuit befitting the royalty of that era.

Setting off from Richmond Station, you’re presented with two options to reach this storied park. You can embark on a leisurely 20-minute walk or opt for a quick bus ride to Cambrian Gate. For those choosing to walk, there lies a choice between two distinct paths. The bustling Richmond Hill Road, lined with an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, offers a vibrant urban experience. Alternatively, a more serene route meanders through the residential Onslow Road, where one can admire the splendid Victorian houses set in tranquil environs. We opted for the latter, deliberately avoiding the crowded High Street, thus allowing ourselves the opportunity to appreciate the architectural elegance and peaceful ambience of these historic residences.

Begin your exploration at Cambrian Gate to embark on a loop through the park, concluding your stroll at Richmond Gate, the park’s primary entrance. As you step into the park, set your course towards Bishop’s Pound. Circle around the pound and then veer towards Conduit Wood. Past the wood, you’ll find yourself in a serene clearing. From here, the exciting quest for glimpsing deer roaming freely in their natural habitat begins.

Our own journey in search of these graceful creatures led us across the park, finally spotting a herd on the far side of Sawyer’s Hill. When we reached the Saw Pit Plantation we were rewarded with the sight of the deer. Remember to respect their space and take pictures from a distance.

Related Content : Tasmin Trail In Richmond Park

After this delightful encounter, it’s time to return to the designated path. Traverse through Saw Pit Plantation to arrive at Queen Ride, a main route leading to the historic White Lodge. Constructed in 1730 as a hunting lodge for King George II, this Grade I listed edifice is now the prestigious home of the Royal Ballet Lower School.

Having admired the White Lodge, continue your walk towards the Upper and Lower Pen Pounds. In the summer, this area buzzes with picnickers, but a winter visit offers a more tranquil experience. The still waters here reflect the bare branches of the trees, creating a serene ambience ideal for a snack break.

To the Thames Path

Now, it’s time to turn around and walk to Richmond Gate. Meander through Queen Elizabeth’s Plantation, joining the main road that leads to the gate. Conveniently located by the entrance are the park’s public toilets. It is time to leave the park and head towards the Thames Path.

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We now find ourselves along the scenic banks of the River Thames, ready to continue our adventure on the Thames Path . Spanning an impressive 184 miles (296 km), this path traces the course of England’s largest river, offering an array of picturesque landscapes and historical sites along its route.

The Thames Path starts at the source of the River Thames in Kemble, Gloucestershire. It ends at the Thames Barriers in Woolwich, London.

Thames Path

For this walk, we will complete the section between Richmond and Kew. As you exit the park, carefully cross Star and Garter Hill Road. Right across is Petersham Common Woods. Find the entrance of the trail (it is a bit tricky to find) and go down the steep stairs until you reach the road at the bottom. From there the Thames Path is well indicated. Follow the signage in the direction of Richmond Centre.

Walking by the river, you’ll pass right by all the bustling terraces of Richmond’s pubs and restaurants, continuing up to Twickenham Bridge. Past this point, the path gets a bit wilder, with more trees and bushes lining your route.

A short distance ahead, you’ll notice the Thistleworth Marine. Look closely through the branches on the opposite bank to catch a glimpse of St. James Church’s spire.

Continue walking and you will be able to see a pink Pavilion. As you keep moving, you’ll soon see this pretty pink Pavilion. That’s the Boathouse of Syon Park, which leads you right to the Syon House, home to the Duke of Northumberland. This place was first built in the 1500s and then got a major makeover in the 1700s. It’s been opened to the public since 1951.

On your side of the bank, you can’t miss this towering Obelisk. This marks you’re right in front of Old Deer Park. The Obelisk is one of three built in 1769 to point out West, East, and True North. The objective of these Obelisks was to align the telescope of the King’s Observatory to observe Venus.

Related Content : Thames Path from Twickenham to Windsor

You’ll then find yourself at the back of the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens , where inviting benches face the tranquil Thames. The Botanic Gardens have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a crop field in Sheen. It started in 1759 when Henry, Lord Capell of Tewkesbury, founded Kew Park. At that time, it comprised a series of gardens covering 132 hectares and included 40 buildings. The name we know today, Kew Gardens, was adopted in 1840. Now, it stands as the world’s largest and most diverse botanical garden, boasting an impressive collection of 8.5 million plants and fungi.

The best time to visit Kew Gardens is during the Spring and Summer months. However, there is always something to discover at Kew Gardens in each season such as the Christmas Light Show.

As you keep walking, you’ll notice the scenery starts to shift, and buildings begin to pop up behind the trees. Keep going for another 10 minutes, and once you hit Kew Bridge, it’s time to say goodbye to the Thames Path.

For those in search of a cosy pub experience, whether for a drink or a hearty meal, I highly recommend heading to the Greyhound . It’s just a 3-minute walk from Kew Bridge. This pub is a real gem, especially since they’ve got these neat little pods with heaters (a total lifesaver in the winter). The menu has all the comfort food you need, from sharing platters and juicy burgers to satisfying vegetarian dishes. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a walk.

Bon Appetit!

Related Content : A Walk Along The Thames In London – 20 Things To See

Thames Path from Richmond to Kew Map

Do you want to do the same walk? Download the map of the Thames Path walk from Richmond to Kew below. You can upload it on your navigation app and follow the route from your phone. Check my guide on how to download and upload the map here .

Final Thoughts on The Thames Path Richmond to Kew Walk

And there we have it—the end of our picturesque journey from Richmond to Kew along the Thames Path. What a ride it’s been! From the serene greenery of Richmond Park, complete with its free-roaming deer, to the historic and lush expanses of the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, every step of this walk has been filled with natural beauty and a slice of history.

Did you visit Richmond Park or Kew Gardens? Let me know in the comments below.

Did you like this walk? Pin it!

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How to get to Hampton Court Palace from central London? [6 options compared]

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: April 27, 2024

Wondering how to get to Hampton Court Palace from Central London? Plan your visit to the beautiful Palace that was once the pad of King Henry VIII in our complete guide.

Hampton Court Palace is a 16th Century historic royal palace located in the London borough of Richmond. It is both an impressive and fascinating attraction most associated with King Henry VIII and is popular with visitors all year round. 

Located only 12 miles from central London with easy access by train, boat, bus or car (or a combination taking in Richmond Park, Bushy Park or the River Thames) Hampton Court Palace is a popular (and easy) day trip from London. 

In this article, we share the various ways you could take to get to the Palace from central London so you can plan your visit with ease.

Why visit Hampton Court Palace?

How to get to hampton court palace by train, how to get to hampton court palace by underground, how to get to hampton court palace by bus, thames river boats, turks – a thames tradition, how to get to hampton court palace by car/taxi, how to get to hampton court palace by tour.

Best Hampton Court Tickets and Tours

• Hampton Court Palace and Gardens Entrance Ticket
• Westminster to Hampton Court River Thames Cruise
• Secrets of Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour
• Hampton Court Palace: River Thames Bike Tour

The rich history of the palace has been home to some of England’s most famous monarchs, including King Henry VIII. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the palace’s many rooms, gardens, and courtyards, and get a glimpse into what life was like for royalty.

The architecture is a mix of Tudor and Baroque styles. The Great Hall, Chapel Royal, and the Tudor kitchens are some examples of the palace’s stunning architecture. 

With over 60 acres of landscaped grounds to explore the Privy Garden, the Great Vine and famous Hampton Court Maze are favourites.

If you are visiting with children you will discover many family-friendly activities at Hampton Court Palace. Interactive exhibits, costumed characters, guided tours and the Magic Garden (a themed play area that includes towers, slides, and even a dragon) make Hampton Court Palace a great day out for all the family.

Hampton Court Palace offers so much to the whole family and is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in history, architecture, or gardens. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring the palace and its grounds. 

How to get to Hampton Court Palace

If you are wondering how to get to Hampton Court Palace you will find that there are actually several ways to get to the Palace from central London.

Below are five detailed ways to do so by public transport including train, tube, bus, boat and car.

• Direct train service from London Waterloo train station every 30 minutes (or 36 mins with one train change at Surbiton) 
• The train calls at Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, New Malden, Berrylands, Surbiton, Thames Ditton and finally Hampton Court. 
• NOTE : Regular train service Monday to Friday, with fewer trains on weekends. 
• Hampton Court station is 5 mins walk to the Palace. 
• Tickets – Approx £9 for a single journey or £15 return.
• Transport for London (Tfl) Oyster cards can be used on this route with Hampton Court being in Tfl Travel Zone 6. 

Read – Getting Around London on public transport

• Hampton Court has no London Underground tube station. 
• The nearest tube station is Richmond, where connecting bus routes are available (see below). 
• Wimbledon tube station is another option but involves 2 or 3 bus changes and takes around 1 hour. 
• London Bus services from Kingston upon Thames and Richmond.
• Takes around 20 mins and costs £1.75. 
• Takes around 46 mins and costs £1.75. 

NOTE – Oyster cards, Travelcards, Freedom Passes and Saver Tickets are accepted on these services. 

How to get to Hampton Court Palace By Public Riverboat Services (NOT The Uber Boat)

The boat ride offers stunning views of the River Thames and is a great way to see London from a different perspective. 

• From Westminster Pier – approx 3 -4 hours. 
• From Kew Pier and Richmond Landing Stage, gives 3 to 3.5 hours at Hampton Court. 
• Single or return tickets are available. 
• Single tickets are around £12 to £23 and returns are around £17 to £30 for adults.
• NOTE: A range of different services are available, check the website for the timetable and boat availability and seasonal changes. 
• Westminster – Kew – Richmond – Hampton Court – Service 30
• Kew – Richmond – Hampton Court – Service 126
• Trips between Kingston, Richmond and Hampton Court.
• Single tickets are around £10 and returns are around £14 for adults.
• NOTE : A range of different services are available, check the website for the timetable and boat availability and seasonal changes. 
• Service links:   Turks timetable
• Hampton Court Palace is located on the A308 with good signpost directions. 
• Follow the brown tourist road signs. 
• From the M25 either, exit 10 (onto the A307) or exit 12 (onto the A308). 
• From the A3, take the A309. 
• Takes about 45 mins, depending on the traffic, to drive from Central London to the Palace. 
• There is limited paid parking on site. 
• Card-only payment, a few pounds daily charge. 
• Accessible parking is available for UK Blue badge holders.
• Hampton Court Green. – 500 metres from the palace has hourly paid parking. 

NOTE : It is recommended to take public transport to the Palace during peak busy times. 

If you prefer to take a tour of Hampton Court Palace or book entrance tickets, follow the link below to book with Get Your Guide . Tours/tickets to include: 

• Palace and Gardens Entrance Ticket. 
• Royal Hampton Court Guided Tour with Afternoon Tea.
• Secrets of Hampton Court Palace Guide Tour. 
• Hampton Court Palace: Private Guided Tours.
• Windsor Castle & Hampton Court Palace VIP Black Taxi Tour .

Read next – Best day trips from London by train

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