Richmond is a leafy south London neighbourhood that has been named the best place to live in England, and with parks and lots of history is well worth a visit in 2025.
Richmond was named by The Times as England’s best place to live, on account of its green spaces, low crime rates and well-performing schools.
But if you want to explore Richmond and see it for yourself, there are plenty of reasons why it should be on your London hit list for 2025.
Richmond was named by The Times as England’s best place to live, on account of its green spaces, low crime rates and well-performing schools. (Image: PA)
Located within London’s Zone Six, Richmond has that unique mix of looking and feeling like the countryside, whilst still being accessible with a tap of an Oyster card.
We’ve rounded up some of the reasons why we think Richmond is worth a visit this year, if you fancy seeing this popular riverside borough for yourself.
It’s easy to get to
One of the reasons why Richmond was named as a popular place to live by The Times and to retire by The Telegraph was due to its travel links to central London and other areas besides.
Richmond offers travel links by Underground, Overground and National Rail, as well as by bus and even Thames riverboat services from Richmond Landing Stage pier.
Thames riverboat services are available from Richmond Landing Stage pier. (Image: Google)
There’s plenty of green spaces to walk in
Richmond is known for being one of London’s most green suburbs with half of it being open spaces to walk in.
Richmond is home to 22 Green Flag Parks as well as the very popular Richmond Park, known for its 650 roaming deer, with plenty of woodland areas, lakes and open spaces to explore either on foot or by bike.
Richmond is home to 22 Green Flag Parks as well as the very popular Richmond Park, known for its 650 roaming deer. (Image: PA)
You can visit the world’s largest botanic garden
If that’s not enough green space for you, you can visit the world-famous Kew Gardens, known for being the world’s largest botanic garden, with opulent Victorian hot houses, landscaped gardens and even a nearly 400-year-old palace to see.
Kew Gardens is known for being the world’s largest botanic garden. (Image: RBG Kew)
Kew is a popular attraction to visit all year round, from its colourful spring bulbs to its popular Christmas at Kew light trail that runs from November until January.
Kew is a popular attraction to visit all year round. (Image: RBG Kew)
In February, the gardens will host its popular annual Orchid Festival, where you’ll be able to see a huge plethora of colourful orchids with this year’s spotlight being on Peru.
In February, the gardens will host its popular annual Orchid Festival. (Image: RBG Kew)
It has lots of historic properties you can visit
Richmond is well known for its many historic buildings to visit within the borough and nearby, if you’re looking to delve into some history.
Ham House, owned by the National Trust, is a 17th century house on the banks of the Thames, created by the Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale.
Ham House is a 17th century house on the banks of the Thames, created by the Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale. (Image: National Trust Images / Chris Davies) Here you can browse a large collection of objects from paintings to furniture, bought by the Duke and Dutchess during the course of their time at the property.
Here you can browse a large collection of objects from paintings to furniture. (Image: National Trust Images / Chris Davies)
But if you get fed up of being inside, Ham House also has gardens to explore, with a maze and kitchen garden as well as a café in the outdoor orangery.
But if you get fed up of being inside, Ham House also has gardens to explore. (Image: National Trust Images / Chris Davies)
Not far from Richmond, you’ll find Strawberry Hill House, an 18th century Gothic style home with Eastern influences.
Not far from Richmond, you’ll find Strawberry Hill House, an 18th century Gothic style home with Eastern influences. (Image: Kilian O’Sullivan)
Its Michelin-starred restaurants
Richmond is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants – Dysart Petersham and Petersham Nurseries Café – where you can find seasonally changing dishes within a rustic and cosy setting.
Richmond is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants, including Petersham Nurseries Café. (Image: Nancy Brownlow)
The Michelin Guide also featured three other restaurants, including Mignonette where you can find affordable French fare created by chef John McClements.
At Dysart Petersham you can find seasonally changing dishes within a rustic and cosy setting. (Image: Dysart Petersham)
But if pubs are more your thing, The Victoria was also featured in the guide, this cosy pub serves up a menu of classic British dishes as well as a Sunday roast.
In the colder months you can cosy up by the log burner, and being right next to Richmond Park it makes for the perfect post-walk stop off.
The Victoria was also featured in the guide, this cosy pub serves up a menu of classic British dishes as well as a Sunday roast. (Image: Google)
You can visit a famous pub that floods – and drink in it whilst it’s flooding!
Another pub worth visiting is the very famous one that you might have seen on TikTok – The White Cross in Richmond.
Another pub worth visiting is the very famous one that you might have seen on TikTok – The White Cross in Richmond. (Image: Roche Communications)
The beer garden in this riverside pub is famously known for flooding during high tide, but that doesn’t stop the staff from serving drinks and the punters from enjoying them.
The beer garden in this riverside pub is famously known for flooding during high tide, but that doesn’t stop the staff from serving drinks. (Image: Roche Communications)
During high tide, punters are invited to don a pair of wellies and climb up on the tables in the beer garden in a bid to stay dry – think ‘The Floor is Lava’ but for adults with alcohol.