Richmond is a suburban pocket of London that’s become a strong favourite amongst families. Easily reached by the Underground at Richmond station, the area feels serene but connected. The streets are lined with beautiful terraced houses, many of which have private gardens. For those that don’t have their own outdoor space though, the small but well-maintained Richmond Green is always available. If willing to walk to the neighbouring areas, there’s also the lush Kew Gardens and expansive Richmond Park. Aside from the area’s family friendly vibe, there is still plenty going on in the neighbourhood. If spending a relaxing weekend in the locality, you’ll definitely want to catch a performance at the beautiful Victorian style Richmond Theatre, followed by a delicious meal at White Swan. For young professionals that have moved to get away from the hustle and bustle of central London, they can still grab a pint with friends at The White Cross while enjoying the view of the Thames.

Richmond is believed to have gotten its name from Henry VII, who was the Earl of Richmond in Yorkshire. The area grew into a village known for its beautiful location along the banks of the Thames. However, many of the homes that were being built throughout the 18th century, were large mansions. It wasn’t until later in the 19th century, that the presence of smaller homes and shops grew. This growth and industry helped lead to the formation of the Richmond Electric Light and Power Company, which brought electricity to the neighbourhood by the end of the 19th century. Today, many of the beautiful old homes still exist.

The famous 20th century authors, Virginia and Leonard Woolf lived in the area for much of their lives. Some of Virginia’s most well-known works include Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.

Unfortunately, this neighbourhood sits in the flight path of Heathrow Airport, resulting in a noisy environment. Nevertheless, residents quickly get used to the sounds of airplanes, and some even enjoy being able to spot which flights are heading out!

In recent years, the neighbourhood has begun attracting many large tech companies in search of spacious office facilities. eBay, Paypal, and Gumtree now all have offices in the neighbourhood. This has been leading to interest in the area from not just other tech companies but also young professionals. We should expect to see this tech scene grow further in the coming years. In 2021, restoration of Richmond Royal Hospital was privately initiated to transform the historic site into a set of new homes called Richmond Square. Comprising of 56 new residences, the restoration and conversion includes a grand, four storey Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse, as well as other surrounding historic buildings of merit.