Walks Near Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide (2023)
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Looking for the best walks near Richmond? Richmond is situated along the River and is known for its abundance of green spaces, including the largest Royal Park in London – Richmond Park. In this blog post, I’ve rounded up the best Richmond walks for you to try!
Although Richmond is located near one of the busiest cities in the world, it’s home to many walks and large green spaces. From a light stroll in Richmond Park to a riverside Thames walk, there are so many Richmond walks to keep you active!
Below I have listed the best walks near Richmond, including ones you can enjoy after your hearty Sunday roast or an afternoon in the pub! So, let’s get started.
Visiting Richmond, London? You might also like…
- Best Putney Sunday Roast: A Local’s Guide
- Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide
- Best Brunch in Putney: 11 Recommendations from a Local
- Best Pubs in Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide
Best Walks Near 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, Richmond has plenty of shops to keep you occupied.
Walking in Richmond is popular activity amongst all ages. Due to the abundance of green space and parks, there are plenty of Richmond walks to try.
Related posts: Wimbledon To Richmond: Step-By-Step Guide | Putney To Richmond, London: Step-By-Step Guide
Where to stay in Richmond, London
If you want to stay in Richmond whilst visiting London, here are some of my favourite accommodations and top picks:
- Comfortable modern apartments: located just 500m from Richmond town centre. The perfect space for solo travellers or couples! ➡ CHECK PRICES NOW!
- The Selwyn: for a beautiful hotel stay in Richmond. ➡ CHECK PRICES NOW!
- Richmond Riverside Apartment: for couples or small groups wanting to stay along the River Thames in a modern and well-located apartment! ➡ CHECK PRICES NOW!
Getting around Richmond
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.
We rent our cars from this company if you’re looking to hire a car in London. 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 in Richmond 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!
Best Walks Near Richmond
1. Richmond Park loop
Walking a loop of Richmond Park will take around 2-3 hours, depending on how fast you walk. It’s a total of 7.5 miles, and you can start from any of Richmond Park’s entrances. Most of the path is paved and easy to walk on, so it’s also a good trail to cycle if you hire a Santander bike (or have your own).
Fancy a hot drink? The best spot in Richmond Park for a coffee stop is Colicci’s cafe near the Roehampton entrance, which is a popular spot amongst cyclists.
Walk off the track for woodlands and hidden gems in Richmond Park, but just be sure to drop a pin on your map to remember where you came from!
Related posts: Wimbledon To Richmond: Step-By-Step Guide
2. Teddington and Richmond Park
If you want to extend your walk near Richmond a bit further, start in Teddington. Teddington is around 2 miles from Richmond Park, and you’ll walk through parks and past a number of pubs, restaurants and bars if you want to stop off.
The views along the walk differ between trees, residential streets and flowering paths. It’s great to do on a Sunday afternoon after a roast! Although the walk from Teddington to Richmond Park is over 12km, it’s an easy walk for anyone with moderate fitness.
Related post: Best Pubs in Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide
3. Richmond and Twickenham Thames Circuit
The Richmond and Twickenham Thames Circuit is one of my favourite places to run (I actually completed my Couch to 5k on it!) and the views are some of my favourites. It’s a 7.6km circular walk to and from St Margaret’s Station, and most of it is level (which is why I love running it).
The majority of the walk is along the River Thames, so it’s an amazing one to do at dusk when the sun is setting!
4. Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is only a stone’s throw from Richmond and is one of the best places in southwest London to visit on a budget. Walk around the centre and enjoy over 50,000 species of plants, a treetop walkway for the not-so-faint-hearted, and regular exhibitions and seasonal events.
Open from 10am-6pm every day (although last entry is at 5pm), tickets start at £13.50 online for adults. You can book tickets for your Kew Gardens visit here.
5. Ham Lands
Ham Lands is a Local Nature Reserve, around a 10-minute drive from Richmond Station. Adjacent to the Thames, Ham Lands is a mix of woodland and wetlands, and contains a diverse number of plants and animals.
Open all year around, Ham Lands is the perfect stroll for a Sunday afternoon walk, or used as a countryside escape in London. Using public transport? Grab the bus from either Richmond or Kingston station (check out the numbers 65 and 371).
6. Old Deer Park
Despite the name, Old Deer Park doesn’t actually have any deer in it (and you’ll have to head to Richmond Park to see them) but it is still one of the best parks in Richmond-upon-Thames.
Originally a hunting park created by James I in 1604, Old Deer Park is 360 acres of land still owned by the Royal family. Most of the park is used for sports pitches and events, but there are trails you can follow to walk around the park and admire the views. It’s also the perfect park to watch a game of cricket during England’s summer months!
Old Deer Park is open all year round and, in my opinion, is one of the best Richmond walks.
7. Putney to Richmond Thames walk
As we live in Putney, we love doing the Putney to Richmond Thames walk. It’s one of the easiest, flattest and prettiest walks near Richmond, and is popular amongst dog walkers and runners.
Start your walk from Putney Bridge, and continue to walk along the river for 10 miles to reach Richmond. Depending on how fast you walk, it can take between 3-4 hours to complete and can be completed either Putney to Richmond or Richmond to Putney.
If you have the time, stop off in Barnes. Barnes is another beautiful town in southwest London, and is worth walking around to see the small local food markets, pubs and independent cafes.
Looking for other walks in Putney? Check out my post; Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond.
8. Richmond to Strawberry Hill Loop
If you like adding a bit of history to your walks, I recommend the Strawberry Hill House loop. Start your walk from Richmond, and continue on for around 2.5 miles to reach Strawberry Hill House & Garden. Created in the 18th Century, the famous house has been open to visitors for over 250 years.
Either admire the Georgian Gothic architecture from the outside or buy tickets to view the collection of paintings and objects inside. When you’ve finished at Strawberry Hill House, you can loop back around to Richmond, making it a perfect Sunday afternoon activity.
Looking to go shopping in Richmond? Check out my post: Shops in Richmond, London: Ultimate Guide.
9. Richmond to Barnes Bridge
Barnes is halfway between Putney and Richmond, and is the perfect place for a stop off on a Richmond walk.
Start your walk from the White Swan pub in Richmond, and simply walk along the winding paths of the River Thames.
Like the Putney to Richmond walk, it’s one of the prettiest in the area, with woodlands, Thames views, quaint houses and traditional English streets.
Once you’ve made it to Barnes Bridge, treat yourself to a pint in Rick Stein’s restaurant (Steins), overlooking the famous bridge and surrounding area.
10. Richmond Centre walk
This one isn’t necessarily a walk, but it is one of the best things to do in Richmond. If you have an hour to spare, just walk the streets of Richmond town centre! There are so many nooks and crannies to explore, and even though I’ve been visiting for years, there’s always something new to find!
Plus, there are some amazing bookstores, plant shops, home decor and clothes shops in Richmond. Do a bit of shopping, stop off for a coffee and admire the view from Richmond Hill. It’s definitely one of the prettiest towns in London to walk around (and it’s exceptionally safe).
Looking for more things to do in Richmond? Check out my post: 16 Fun Things to do in Richmond, London (By A Local).
Walks near Richmond London: FAQs
1) Is Richmond nice to walk around?
Yes, even if you don’t want to do a long walk, Richmond is a pretty place in London to walk around. Richmond is situated right on the River Thames and has a number of restaurants, bars, cafes, green spaces and pubs on the water.
Walking up to Richmond Hill offers some of the best views of the river and surrounding area, and from there you can explore another row of pubs and restaurants. Richmond is a great place to walk around in London!
2) Can you walk along the Thames at Richmond?
Yes. Richmond-upon-Thames is situated right on the river, and you can either walk, paddleboard, kayak or even swim it! There are plenty of pubs and restaurants along the river which you can stop off and enjoy the riverside views from. There are also a number of bridges to cross from Richmond towards Twickenham.
3) How long is the walk around Richmond Park?
If you loop and walk the entirety of Richmond Park, it will take you around 2-3 hours (depending on how fast you walk!) The distance is approximately 7.5 miles, and there are different entrances to start from.
If you’re coming from Richmond Station, you’ll most likely enter via Cambrian Road on the northwest of the park.
4) How long does it take to walk along the Thames?
Well, not in one day, but it is possible. Walking along the Thames will rack up over 185 miles (298 km), and walking 15 miles per day will allow you to finish the route in 14 days. The Thames’ source is way up in the Cotswolds, so it isn’t an easy task!
5) What is Richmond London famous 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.
6) Is Richmond a nice part of London?
Yes, Richmond is one of the nicest areas in London. It has a high street full of bars, restaurants and cafes, with some overlooking the River Thames. Whether you want to eat dinner whilst watching the sunset on the river or jump in to do some paddleboarding or a boat tour, Richmond is one of the nicest areas in London. It is also home to London’s largest Royal Park, Richmond Park.
7) 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.
8) 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!
9) 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!
Walks near Richmond: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best walks near 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
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
