This affluent Richmond suburb sits just to the west of the River Thames between Twickenham and Hanworth. With plenty of green space in the form of Fulwell and Strawberry Hill golf clubs, and Twickenham Green, and leafy streets of large interwar homes, the neighbourhood is a popular spot for well-to-do- families. The local high street of Heath Road provides all the conveniences one would need, and nearby Strawberry Hill station runs regular trains into Waterloo, making the neighbourhood a haven for commuters who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city. Residents enjoy an abundance of local pubs and restaurants, such as The Sussex Arms or Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill, and with Twickenham town centre just a short walk away, there’s no shortage of enjoyable ways to spend an evening.

In 1747, the politician Horace Walpole purchased a house in the area that had once been owned by the retired coachman of the Earl of Bedford. He named the house Strawberry Hill after the strawberries that once grew in the locality. Walpole continually added to the already substantial house, creating a Gothic marvel that became known throughout the continent. Walpole died in 1797, leaving his house and the landscaped 9-acre grounds to the Waldegrave family. The station was built in 1863, some say at the behest of the owners, which generated housebuilding throughout the surrounding area, continuing throughout the 20th century. Strawberry Hill House has recently been restored in a £9 million project, and is open to the public.

The area’s reputation and riverside location has attracted some famous faces over the years. One of whom was the late actor Edward Woodward (1930-2009), who was famous for his stage work in numerous Shakespeare stage productions, as well many famous films such as The Wicker Man (1973) and the 1984 film, King David. Brinsworth House, a retirement home for entertainment professionals has also housed many former actors and comedians including Teddy Johnson, Thora Hird, and Emily Perry.

While Strawberry Hill station does provide reasonably regular services into central London, its position on the South Western Railway line means that travel can be very expensive, especially for those who commute at peak times. The line is also rather prone to delays, which often causes complaints from local residents.

The planned redevelopment of the Twickenham Riverside to the north of Strawberry Hill is set to regenerate the underused and underappreciated area. While the site has seen a number of redevelopment initiatives get scrapped in the past, such as proposals by Francis Terry in conjunction with Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher, and earlier Terry scheme, Hopkins Architects’ proposal for the site regeneration has been approved and plans for its initiations are in the pipeline. That said, the project has gained some controversy from local groups. The Twickenham Riverside Trust, a local residents group that also holds a leasehold over part of the land, announced in late 2021 its decision to oppose the scheme rather than proactively engage with the authority on the redevelopment’s latest incarnation. This decision was prompted by the group believing that compensation the Council proposed for the redevelopment of Diamond Jubilee Gardens, included in their leasehold, was inadequate. The group is seeking to have the gardens removed from the Council’s brownfield register but a final decision on the matter has not been announced. Other locals have also begun protesting against the project’s on nearby Eel Pie Island and its accessibility, which is currently reached by bridge. The Council assures that accessibility will remain excellent but residents disagree. As of now, the project’s initiation is still uncertain.