16 Fun Things to do in Richmond, London (By A Local)

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Looking for the best things to do in Richmond, London? You’re in the right place! Living close to Richmond has given me the opportunity to experience all of the wonderful things it has to offer.

As we live just a short 15-minute drive away, we often spend our weekends and Sunday afternoons strolling along the River Thames or dining in one of Richmond’s best brunch spots.

In the following posts, I have detailed a little more information about Richmond and how to get there, as well as listing all of the best things to do in Richmond (written by a local – myself!). So, let’s get started!

Other Richmond, London posts:

• Walks Near Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide
• Shops in Richmond, London: Ultimate Guide
• Best Pubs in Putney: A Local’s Guide
• Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond

Things to do in Richmond: A Summary

Richmond is a town in Southwest London on a meander of the River Thames. It is home to Richmond Park; the biggest Royal Park in London, and Richmond Bridge, which was built in 1777.

Along with an abundance of history that dates back to Henry VIII and the Tudor times, Richmond has been voted the ‘happiest’ Borough of London for many years.

Richmond is one of the most affluent areas in London, with one of the best high streets in the city. From flower stalls to coffee shops, and brunch bars to high-street fashion, it’s the perfect town to explore as a first-timer in Southwest London.

As for things to do; there is an abundance of activities (both free and paid) to keep you busy in Richmond. Even just being in Richmond, walking along the river and appreciating the London views is an experience. It’s one of the best areas in London for tourists to visit if they want a taste of suburban London life.

Fun Things to Do in Richmond

1. Hire a paddleboard on the River Thames

As Richmond is right on the River Thames, one of the best things to do is to hire a paddleboard or kayak. Whether you’re in need of a lesson, or simply want to paddle along the Thames for fun, it’s one of the cheapest activities in the area for backpackers and tourists in southwest London. 

Either pre-book online or turn up to Paddle Richmond to hire paddle boards and kayaks. Prices start at around £17 per hour for kayak and paddle board hire. 

However, I do recommend wearing a wet suit, or some kind of protective gear, as the River Thames isn’t the cleanest (or warmest!) If you’re visiting Richmond for the first time, pair this with a trip to the famous flooding pub (the White Hart, read further below for more info) or a sunny pub lunch along the riverbanks.  

2. Visit the Poppy Museum

Another fun activity (which could take just a morning or afternoon) is taking a trip to the Poppy factory. On the 11th of November each year, poppies are worn in Britain as a sign of respect to all veterans from the First and Second World War. This factory in Richmond is where a bulk of the poppies are made.

By visiting, you’ll be supporting veterans to overcome any employment barriers, especially if they are battling a mental or physical health condition. The poppy factory is a great place to donate to a good cause and learn about the history of the UK. You’ll even be able to make your own poppy!

3. Take a boat trip from Richmond to Hampton Court

Another fun thing to do in Richmond is to board a boat to Hampton Court. Sail along the Thames to the former home of Henry VIII, where the boat will stop and wait for you to return as you check out the palace grounds, eat in the local pubs and walk around Henry’s historic mazes. 

And the best thing? It’s one of the cheapest activities in Richmond, AND has a fully-licensed bar on board. It’s the perfect pre-drinking activity on a summer’s day in southwest London!

Prices start at around £8 for a single journey, or £13 return. You can book your boat tickets here.

4. Admire the view from Richmond Hill

Another free and fun thing to do in Richmond is to walk to the top of Richmond Hill and admire the view. At the top of Richmond Hill, there’s a large green park for you to sit and have a picnic, and a few benches if you want to sit with a glass of wine in hand.

If you don’t mind spending a bit of money, you can even stop off at one of the local pubs right at the top of the hill with the best views (my favourite being the Roebuck). 

Like walking? Check out my post; Walks Near Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide!

5. Spot deer in Richmond Park

Richmond is also home to the biggest park in London, and the only park in London that is home to over 600 deer. Full of woodland and green fields, Richmond Park spans over a crazy 2500 acres. It’s the perfect place to escape the chaos of the city. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the hundreds of deer that have roamed freely in the park since 1637.

Bear in mind the deer are wild animals, and to keep at least 50m away at all times (there will be people standing right next to the deer for selfies).

6. Drink Pimms in the sun and watch the cricket

Southwest London is known for its cricket, and what better way to watch it in the sun than with a jug of Pimms? You can find amateur cricket games being played most weekends during the summer months. Not sure where to go? Check out the Richmond Cricket Club for fixtures.

Anyone can turn up to any game, even if you don’t know anyone playing! (And it’s free!) Want even more? Head to The Cricketers pub on Richmond Green for post-match drinks and atmosphere!

7. Watch a show at one of Richmond’s theatres

Richmond is home to two theatres, and both have nightly and weekly performances of a variety of shows. Choose from either Richmond Theatre or the Orange Tree Theatre. Pre-book your tickets and enjoy a sophisticated night out in Richmond.

8. Go shopping on the high street

Richmond has some of the best shops in southwest London. Full of boutiques and independent stores, it’s one of my favourite places to shop for clothes, plants, books, home decor and everything in between. However, prices in Richmond are considerably more expensive than in some other areas further out of London.

Want to know what shops are in Richmond before you arrive? Check out my post: Shops in Richmond, London.

9. Drink a pint in the ‘pub that floods’

The White Cross in Richmond is located right on the riverbank. And if you time it right, you can watch the tide come in and ‘flood’ the pub.

The beer garden becomes engulfed by the River Thames, and you’ll have to move inside to ensure your feet don’t get wet! It’s definitely an experience and one of the best things to do in Richmond.

Related post: Best Pubs in Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide

10. Go on a boozy pub crawl from Richmond to Twickenham

Twickenham is home to English rugby, and on game days, you’ll find plenty of fans doing the Richmond to Twickenham pub crawl. Rugby days in themselves are a great excuse for a big day out, even if you don’t have tickets to the game.

Enjoy yourself from the Orange Tree pub in Richmond all the way to The Shack pub, The George or Barmy Arms in Twickenham to continue your night. Even if it’s not a game day, mapping out a pub crawl along the river is always fun!

11. Have a picnic along the river

Another cheap thing to do in Richmond is to sit and have a picnic along the river. There are plenty of expensive bars and restaurants, but if you’re on a budget, there’s greenery and benches along the river to stop off and have a picnic.

For the best picnic spots, head towards Gauchos from the White Cross pub, walk for about 400m, and keep an eye out for empty benches and green space on your left (directly opposite the river). Be warned, it can get pretty busy on sunny days!

Richmond Green is also a a popular place for picnic-goers if the riverside is too busy.

12. Dine out in a fancy restaurant along the river

If you’ve saved more of your London budget for Richmond, I recommend visiting one of the restaurants along the river. Our favourite is Gauchos (especially for their Sunday roast), but there are also Steins, Bills, Bingham Riverhouse and Peggy Jeans.

13. Party in Viva

The nightlife in Richmond isn’t as crazy as its neighbours Twickenham and Kingston, but it does have Viva, a small modern club that’s open until 2 am.

If you’re not looking for a club but still want a late-night cocktail, check out Slug and Lettuce, Be At One, So Bar, Dropkick Jonnys or Pitcher and Piano.

14. Treat yourself to a bottomless brunch

Richmond has many pretty brunch spots and cafes. Whether you opt for a bottomless brunch (food served with unlimited alcohol) or just want a meal and a coffee, Richmond has plenty of brunch spots to choose from. Not sure where to brunch in the area? These are my recommendations:

• No 1a Duke Street
• Slug and Lettuce
• The Ivy
• Pitcher and Piano
• Bill’s
• The Fat Badger

15. Take a dip at a local lido

In the summer months, London can get hot. And Richmond is one of the only towns in London to be home to an outdoor pool! Located in Old Deer Park and just a 6-minute walk from Richmond Station, the lido is open 365 days a year. The outdoor pool is heated, so you can even enjoy a dip in winter!

Entry to the lido is around £6 per person. You do not need to be a member to visit.

16. Eat crepes and drink wine at the Duck Pond Richmond Market

We stumbled upon the Duck Pond market by mistake one Sunday lunchtime, and were so pleasantly surprised! It’s only a small market, but the local and independent stalls offer everything from crepes, cakes, biscuits, tapas and hot sauce.

Stroll around for food and drink, as well as hand-made bags, clothing, paintings and artwork.

The Duck Pond Market is on every Saturday and Sunday between 10.30-4pm in Richmond, London.

How to get to Richmond from Central London

Richmond is easy to reach from Central London. You can either sit on the underground or get a fast overground train.

🚇 If you’re opting for the London Underground (also known as the ‘tube’), you will need to board the District Line. This is the dark green line, and Richmond is the final stop. The District Line can be taken from Embankment, Victoria, Blackfriars, Tower Hill, St James’ Park and many other Central London stations. Just make sure you board a train that is heading to ‘Richmond’.

🚉 If you don’t have as much time and would like to board the quicker, overground train to Richmond, head to Waterloo. From Waterloo, the overground train to Richmond shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes. If you get a fast train (one that only stops at Richmond and a couple of other stops) it is a simple 16-minute journey from Waterloo to Richmond.

You can pre-book train tickets for the London Overground on this website.

Related posts: Wimbledon To Richmond: Step-By-Step Guide

Getting around Southwest London

Southwest London isn’t as tricky to drive in as Central London, and most people in the area own a car. If you’re visiting for a short amount of time, it may be worth hiring a car to get around to some of the parks, attractions and museums. 

If you’re looking to hire a car in London, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in London now!

If you don’t want to drive, there are regular trains until midnight and buses 24 hours a day. You can use your contactless card on both trains and buses in London. 

For cheap train tickets to and from London, check out Trainline. We book with them whenever we are leaving the city, and want to get to other locations in the UK (including airports). ➡ CHECK TRAIN PRICES NOW!

Where to stay in Richmond, London

If you’re visiting Southwest London for the first time and need a place to stay, here are some of the best-located apartments and hotels.

• For a cosy apartment just a few minutes away from Putney High Street and the woodlands of Putney Heath: ➡ BOOK APARTMENT NOW!

• If you’d rather stay in Richmond, a stone’s throw from the River Thames and Richmond Park, check out the beautiful Richmond Hill Hotel. ➡ BOOK A HOTEL ROOM NOW!

• For a fun and budget hostel in Southwest London, check out the PubLove @ Clapham! ➡ BOOK A HOSTEL ROOM NOW!

Things to do in Richmond: FAQs

1) Is Richmond worth visiting?

Yes! Richmond is so worth visiting if you are in London. Whilst it’s not in the centre and takes a little while to reach, Richmond is known as one of the prettiest areas in London, and attracts thousands of tourists each year. From having a picnic along the river, paddle boarding the Thames, and spotting deer in Richmond Park, Richmond is definitely worth visiting.

2) Is Richmond a posh area?

Richmond is located in Southwest London, which is known for being the ‘posher’ and more affluent side of London. It’s known for its high-end shopping, big houses and fine dining restaurants. An average 2-bedroom house in Richmond-upon-Thames is upwards of £650k. Therefore, Richmond is home to some of the most expensive houses in London, and is above the average UK housing prices.

3) How do I spend a day in Richmond London?

If you only have one day to explore Richmond, start with brunch at one of the many breakfast cafes on the high street. Do some shopping, browse the bookstores and if it’s the right season, watch cricket on Richmond Green.

Stroll along the River Thames, hire a paddleboard, or just watch the world go by at one of the riverside bars. If you have time, head to Richmond Park; London’s biggest Royal Park, one that is home to hundreds of wild deer. 

4) What is Richmond best known for?

Richmond is most famous for its Royal Park. Richmond Park is home to hundreds of wild deer, over 2500 acres of field and woodland, and for being Henry VIII’s old hunting ground. It is the largest Royal Park in London. 

5) What celebrities live in Richmond England?

As Richmond is one of the nicest areas in London, plenty of celebrities have set up camp and bought houses in the area (exceptionally big, expensive houses, I should add). Some well-known celebrities who live in London include Sir Richard Attenborough, actor Tom Hardy, Mcfly artist Dougie Poynter, actress Amanda Holden and even actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt owned a house in Richmond!

6) Is Richmond in London expensive?

Yes, Richmond is one of the most expensive areas in London. Housing prices are above the average. Richmond is known to be one of the most affluent areas in London, but also one of the nicest! 

7) Do I need a SIM card to travel around London? 

Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

Things to do in Richmond: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best things to do in Richmond. When you’re planning a trip to Southwest London, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more London content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Southwest London posts:

• Is Putney a Good Place to Live? A Local’s Advice (Review)
• BEST Restaurants in Putney: Local’s Guide
• Best Brunch in Putney: A Local’s Guide
• Best Pubs in Putney: A Local’s Guide