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The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames lies to the southwest (8 miles/13 km) of central London and to the east (8 miles/13 km) of Heathrow airport. Richmond is adjacent to Kingston upon Thames with which it shares convenient access to many points of interest. The borough's official online guide for visitors lists attractions, events and services in and around Richmond for visitors.
The South London Tourism web site is another good resource for planning travel in this area.
The Orleans House Gallery is set in a scenic locale near the River Thames and is a popular attraction for visitors to Richmond.
The Riverside Gallery hosts paintings, prints and photographs by local artists.
The Museum of Richmond has exhibits celebrating unique heritage of Richmond, Ham, Petersham and Kew with displays spanning prehistoric times to the present.
The Landmark Arts Centre, at Teddington Lock, is housed in a gothic style church and offers cultural programs throughout the year.
The Museum of Rugby at nearby Twickenham is a popular attraction for fans of this sport. It is located in the Twickenham Rugby Stadium.
The National Archives (Public Records Office) is the national archival collection for the UK. Its archival collections span 1000 years of British history, from Domesday Book to government papers recently released to the public and hosts a range of temporary exhibitions, events and costumed tours. The archives are located close to Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens rail and Underground stations.
The Twickenham Museum presents exhibits telling the rich and long histories of the villages of Twickenham, Whitton, Teddington and the Hamptons situated by the River Thames.
Nearby Bushy Park and Richmond Park are two of London's Royal Parks offering a variety of experiences and wildlife to visitors.
Wimbledon, home of the All England Club and Mecca for countless tennis fans, is to the southeast of Richmond on the eastern side of Richmond Park.
Hampton Court Palace dates from the early 16th Century and for 200 years was the heart of court life and politics that influenced British history. The state apartments, the riverside gardens and the maze have attracted many visitors to this area.
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are a favorite destination for lovers of gardens. A popular route to this attraction is by ferry from Westminster along the Thames. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's Cottage are located within the gardens.
Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare is set in an 18th Century pleasure garden adjacent to the River Thames and celebrates the life of the actor David Garrick.
National Trust properties: Ham House is a rare example of a 17th century Stuart House situated in acclaimed gardens in Richmond. Osterley Park is in Hounslow, between Richmond and Heathrow airport.
Kneller Hall in Twickenham is the home of the Royal Military School of Music. Concerts are held here in the summer.
Marble Hill House a Palladian villa in Twickenham was built in 1728 and was the riverside retreat of Henrietta Howard, mistress of King George II. This is an English Heritage property.
Royal British Legion Poppy Factory in Richmond manufactures poppies for sale on Remembrance Day is support of ex-servicemen and women
The Royal Star and Garter Home in Richmond Hill was founded in 1912 to provide care ex-service men and women. The building is of historical and architectural interest.
Strawberry Hill House is a historic house built for Horace Walpole, a writer of Gothic novels and the son of Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is regarded as the most important building of the Gothic Revival.
Transportation:
South West Trains operate from London Waterloo to Richmond and to the south and west of England calling at Basingstoke, Feltham (for bus connection to Heathrow airport), Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance and Watford Junction. There are connecting services from Southwest stations to London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick and Southampton airports.
The District Line of the London Underground has stations at Richmond and Kew Gardens.
See also the travel information page on the Visit Richmond web site.