Richmond Palace

I love Richmond! I had to walk along the Thames to get here which was just so scenic and serene.

If you're walking along the riverside in beautiful Richmond, continue until you come to Old Palace Lane. Turn-in, keep alert, and after a few paces, on the right-hand side, you'll notice an understated pale plaque on the wall.


In pale lettering it informs you that this is the site of the former Richmond Palace, where Queen Elizabeth I spent many of her days and where she died in 1603. Sadly, most of the Palace was demolished after Charles I was executed and the plans for its later rebuilding, designed by Sir William Chambers, never came to fruition. However, if you wander up to the top of the very pretty lane you'll see some remaining walls together with a smaller, light-blue plaque commemorating the site.


I stop here on most occasions when I'm in the area. It never fails to move me and to transport my imagination to how people lived then; to envisage late Tudor times and the experiences - sad and joyous - of the 'Virgin Queen'.

Ratty and Mole would love this place. On a sunny summer's day, with the river lazing it's way through Richmond, what better way to spend an hour or two but rowing along the river? You can comfortably make it up to the tranquility of Petersham Meadows and back in under an hour. And unlike the river in Windsor, we weren't troubled by Toad and his friends in their fibreglass gin palaces. Prices are £5 per adult per hour, kids half price.

Truly a great experience especially with young children. The scenery is breath taking and very cheap thus making it a great deal to kill afew hours.

Just walking down the riverside or may be even having a jog, its fantastic to make those sceneries part of your day. This is a truly centennial place. Beautiful