Richmond upon Thames
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Richmond upon Thames from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Richmond upon Thames' most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry. Skip this section and go to place by numbers
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Hounslow
The official listing for all World Heritage sites is held by UNESCO and can be found on their website.
Phase 1, Queen's Road Estate, Richmond upon Thames
Richmond upon Thames
Phase 1 of the Queen's Road Estate -developed between 1971 and 1983 by London and Quadrant Homes Ltd for Richmond Parish Lands Charity and designed by the architects Darbourne and Darke -...
The Wilderness House
Richmond upon Thames
Estate house, thought to have been built circa 1700, with an extension of circa 1770 and another of the 1960s; the 1960s extension is not of special interest.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond upon Thames
Kew Gardens, established in the early 18th century, expanded under Sir William Hooker. It was a royal park and site of early 20th-century women's rights protests.
Old Brew House, Bushy Park
Richmond upon Thames
The Old Brew House at Bushy Park, built by the Earl of Halifax, is a surviving 18th-century estate building integral to the Upper Lodge, despite losing some internal fixtures.
Air raid shelter
Richmond upon Thames
Air raid shelter, built in 1939 and extended in late 1940- early 1941, to serve St Leonard's Court which was built in 1934-38 by local builder Mr F.G Fox.
Royal Mews and Great Barn
Richmond upon Thames
Former Royal Mews and Great Barn. Royal Mews 1537 for Henry VI, Great Barn dated and inscribed 'Elizabethe Regina 1570'.
Hampton Court Palace
Richmond upon Thames
Hampton Court Palace, a historically significant royal residence, showcases exceptional craftsmanship and architectural innovation, with connections to figures like Cardinal Wolsey and Henry...
Herbarium Complex, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Hunter Ho…
Richmond upon Thames
The Herbarium complex at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, comprising the mid- to later C18 Hunter House, and purpose-built accommodation of 1877 by John Lessels (Wing C), of 1902-1903 (Wing...
The Gate House the Old Palace
Richmond upon Thames
The Gate House at The Old Palace on Richmond Green incorporates remnants of Henry VII's 1501 palace, featuring 18th and 19th-century architecture, Tudor Gothic windows, and a restored...
Bushy Park
Richmond upon Thames
Bushy Park, a royal deer park with 15th-century origins, was expanded by monarchs and figures like George London and Henry Wise.
Rutland Lodge and Entrance Gate and Piers to Rutland Lodge
Richmond upon Thames
Rutland Lodge, a late 17th-century house, was rebuilt after a 1967 fire. It features a grand entrance with a wrought-iron gate and decorative brick piers.
Former Hampton Wick Local Board offices and UDC office
Richmond upon Thames
Local Board offices, later the Urban District Council (UDC) office, 1884 by Richard T Elsam, Surveyor to the Board, in Jacobean revival manner.
York House
Richmond upon Thames
York House is a historic 17th-century mansion with gardens developed over centuries, featuring notable owners like Sir Ratan Tata and sculptures by Italian artist Marabitti.
Church of All Hallows
Richmond upon Thames
The Church of All Hallows features a tower re-erected in 1940 and furnishings from Lombard Street, including works by Grinling Gibbons.
Arethusa Or 'diana' Fountain
Richmond upon Thames
Sculpted fountain, set in the Great Basin at Bushy Park, 1712-13, under the supervision of Sir Christopher Wren.
Garrick's Villa
Richmond upon Thames
Garrick's Villa, a Grade I listed building in Hampton, features gardens designed by David Garrick and advised by Lancelot Brown, with alterations by Robert Adam.
Richmond Park
Richmond upon Thames
Richmond Park, established by Charles I, served royal hunting needs and later became a public space. It supports abundant wildlife and offers cultural and historical significance.
Hampton Court
Richmond upon Thames
Hampton Court, a 16th-century royal palace in southwest London, features gardens developed by historical figures including Henry VIII, Charles I, and Sir Christopher Wren.
Hampton Court Lion Gates
Richmond upon Thames
The Hampton Court Lion Gates, designed by Wren in the early 18th century, feature Portland stone piers with armorial plaques and lions, adorned with wrought-iron gates bearing monograms of...
King Henry VIII's Mound, Richmond Park
Richmond upon Thames
King Henry VIII's Mound is a possible round barrow, with subsequent reuse as a landscape feature documented from the C17 onwards.
Kew Gardens Station
Richmond upon Thames
Kew Gardens Station, built in 1868-9 for the London South-Western Railway, features symmetrical design with brick and stone, arches, and distinctive cast iron canopies.
Montrose House
Richmond upon Thames
Montrose House, a late 17th-century three-storey central block with wings, features brown brick with red dressings and distinctive architectural details.
Terrace and Buccleuch Gardens
Richmond upon Thames
Terrace Gardens and Buccleuch Gardens (collectively known as Terrace and Buccleuch Gardens) is a public park and made up of the grounds of three C18 and C19 estates.
Ham House
Richmond upon Thames
Ham House, built in the early 17th century for Sir Thomas Vavasour, was expanded and remodeled under the Earl of Lauderdale. The historic gardens underwent restoration starting in 1975.
Grotto or shell house in the grounds of Thames Eyot
Richmond upon Thames
Later C18 or early C19 grotto or shell house at Thames Eyot, formerly the site of Poulett Lodge.
Richmond Gate Lodge, Screen Walls, Gate Piers and Gates
Richmond upon Thames
Richmond Gate Lodge, screen wall, gate piers and gates, designed 1795 and dated 1798, and attributed to Sir John Soane, King's Deputy Surveyor of Woods and Forests.
Mausoleum of Sir Richard and Lady Burton, Churchyard of S…
Richmond upon Thames
The mausoleum of Sir Richard and Lady Burton, designed like a Bedouin tent, features marble and stone with ornate decorations, reflecting Burton's aversion to darkness.
Kneller Hall and Boundary Walls Royal Military School of …
Richmond upon Thames
Kneller Hall, originally built in 1709-11 for Sir Godfrey Kneller, was transformed into a neo-Jacobean structure by George Mair in 1848.
Mound at TQ1891972117, Richmond Park
Richmond upon Thames
A possible long barrow, with some disturbance to the north which could be interpreted as a second barrow.
19,21 and 23, Kew Foot Road
Richmond upon Thames
19, 21, and 23 Kew Foot Road is a terrace of three late 17th or early 18th-century houses with fine architectural details. .
1-14 Marlowe Court
Richmond upon Thames
Marlowe Court, designed by Eric Lyons and Geoffrey Townsend in 1954-55, is a pioneering Span Developments scheme featuring humane design and innovative resident management in Parkleys...
Number 29 (Montpelier House) And Number 30 ( South End Ho…
Richmond upon Thames
Number 29 and 30 form an elaborately detailed block with brick cornices, parapets, Doric pilasters, and a Gothick addition. South End House has five windows and overlooks the garden.
Church of St Stephen
Richmond upon Thames
Parish church, designed 1874, following a limited competition, by Richard Mawson of Lockwood and Mawson, completed 1907, in an eclectic early Decorated manner, typical of the later C19.
Gates and Railings to Oak House Oak House
Richmond upon Thames
Oak House features mid-18th-century architecture with brown brick and red dressings. It includes a Tuscan porch and ornamental iron gates. Possibly designed by Sir Robert Taylor.
Gate and Railings to Old Friars Old Friars
Richmond upon Thames
Old Friars, located at Richmond Green, features late 17th-century architecture, fine wrought-iron gates, and is notable for its historical architectural elements.
Richmond upon Thames through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Richmond upon Thames changes over time. Skip this section and go to aerial photos
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Richmond upon Thames
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground. Skip this section and go to archive images
Kew
The Temperate House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1921
Kew
The Temperate House in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1952
Hampton Court Park
Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Park, 1920
Hampton Court Park
Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Park, 1949
Richmond
The Star and Garter Home and Ancaster House, Richmond, 1924
Richmond Hill
The Star and Garter Home, Richmond Hill, 1947
Ham
Ham House and gardens, Ham, 1927
Ham
Ham House, Ham, 1949
Richmond Park
White Lodge, Richmond Park, 1928
Richmond
White Lodge and Richmond Park, Richmond, 1948
Richmond upon Thames in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Richmond upon Thames' past. Skip this section and go to stories about heritage
Charles George Harper Collection
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1892 - 1933
The Great Gatehouse at Hampton Court Palace, showing the ten heraldic statues, known as the King's Beasts, on the bridge over the moat
Eric de Mare
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of Hampton Court Palace showing a Roman statue on a wall.
John Gay Collection: London
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1961
A young boy hanging on the railings edging the canal to the east of the gardens of Hampton Court Palace
John Gay Collection: Miscellaneous
Kew, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1946 - 1999
Tulips
John Laing Collection
Mortlake, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 12 Feb 1980
An interior view of Watneys Brewery
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: Jul 1890
Two men standing on the bank of the River Thames, with the Richmond Railway Bridge behind
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Hampton Court, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW OF THE MAZE
Charles George Harper Collection
Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1892 - 1933
An atmospheric night time scene showing a woman with a lantern casting a large shadow in the Haunted Gallery at Hampton Court
Eric de Mare
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior perspective view of Hampton Court Palace from the west.
John Gay Collection: London
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1960s
A view along an avenue of pollarded trees looking towards Hampton Court
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: Jul 1890
A view looking south-east across the River Thames towards the Star and Garter Hotel and surrounding buildings, with a man seated on the grassy...
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Hampton Court, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1904 - 1909
GENERAL VIEW OF THE MAZE
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Richmond upon Thames. Skip this section and go to education
The Works of Modernist Architect Eric Lyons
Mentions 1-12 Herrick Court, Landscape at Fieldend
A post-war pioneer who founded Span Developments and set out to make an idyll out of suburbia.
The Life of Sophia Duleep Singh: Princess and Suffragette
Mentions Faraday House and Cardinal House With Wall and Gatepiers to Street, Hampton Court Palace
Discover the legacy of Sophia Duleep Singh, a pioneering suffragette, princess and women's rights champion in early 20th-century Britain.
10 Lesser Known Places Linked to King Henry VIII
Mentions Hampton Court Palace
Discover the lesser-known historic sites linked to Henry VIII, including Whitehall Palace, Windsor Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, and Eltham Palace, London.
12 Places Connected to Queen Elizabeth I
Mentions Hampton Court Palace, The Gate House the Old Palace, The Wardrobe
Discover the locations where Queen Elizabeth I lived and visited, including Hampton Court Palace, Hatfield House and Kenilworth Castle.
The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn in 12 Historic Places
Mentions Hampton Court Palace
Discover the locations where Anne Boleyn lived, including Hever Castle, the Tower of London, and Hampton Court Palace.
The History of Brick Building in England
Mentions Hampton Court Palace
Discover 7 examples of how brick building in England has changed over the centuries.
16 Historic Gardens and Landscapes to Visit
Mentions Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Try these English gardens if you’re looking for somewhere with spectacular garden scenery.
A Brief Introduction to Christopher Wren
Mentions Hampton Court Palace
Christopher Wren was a polymath, scientist and world-renowned architect.
The History of the English Science Lab
Mentions Bushy House
The modern laboratory emerged in the 1680s when the University of Oxford built the first Ashmolean Museum.
The Story of Eleanor Coade
Mentions Statue of Father Thames
The pioneering business woman who successfully adapted a secret formula to manufacture an elegant artificial stone.
7 of the Best Post-war Parks, Gardens and Landscapes in England
Mentions Landscape at Fieldend
Here are seven of the amazing post-war parks, gardens and landscapes that exist all over England.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Evidence of the Second World War
Mentions Air raid shelter
Discover the evidence of how the Second World War had an impact on urban, suburban and rural England which are hidden in plain sight.
Famous Faces From TV and Radio Uncover More About England’s Heritage
Mentions Hampton Court Palace
A series of short films featuring some of the fascinating people and places helped by grants from the Culture Recovery Fund during the pandemic.
The Best of England’s Post-War Parks, Gardens and Landscapes Protected
Mentions Landscape at Fieldend
Newly announced protections by Historic England are the result of a three-year collaboration with The Gardens Trust.
Ancient Burial Mounds in London’s Richmond Park Protected
Mentions King Henry VIII's Mound, Richmond Park, Richmond Park, Mound at TQ1891972117, Richmond Park
King Henry VIII’s Mound along with a second site in the Royal Park have been protected due to their national archaeological and historic importance.
12 of the Best Post-War Schools Listed
Mentions Secondary School Building, the German School
Newly listed school buildings include a plastic classroom known as 'the bubble' in Preston and a 'high-tech' infants school in Hampshire.
Groundbreaking Women of Science Celebrated
Mentions Marianne North Gallery, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Historic England and The Royal Society celebrate International Women’s Day by bringing to light the exceptional achievements of female scientists
Capability Brown Landscapes Celebrated and Protected
Mentions The Wilderness House
To mark Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s 300th year Historic England is celebrating and protecting his landscapes anew.
National Collection of Lutyens’ War Memorials Listed
Mentions South African War Memorial
All 44 First World War memorials designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens are now protected by listing.
Richmond upon Thames' social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area. Skip this section and go to grant-aided places
West Heath School, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
Pupils in a carpentry class at the West Heath School for Young Ladies.
West Heath School, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
West Heath School, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
A gym class at West Heath School for Young Ladies, 1 Ham Common. It became a school in c.1879 under the guidance of the Reverend and Mrs Powers.
West Heath School, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
West Heath School, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
Interior view of a shared bedroom in West Heath School for Young Ladies, 1 Ham Common.
West Heath School, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
West Heath School For Young Ladies, 1 Ham Common, Greater London
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
Pupils in a carpentry class at the West Heath School for Young Ladies.
West Heath School For Young Ladies, 1 Ham Common, Greater London
Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
In 1749 Horace Walpole purchased a small house which he continued to alter and extend until 1766, creating this important early Gothic Revival house.
Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London
Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The Gothic style hotel, originally opened in 1783 by John Christopher and owned by the Ellis family at the height of its popularity in the early 19th...
Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond, Greater London
Skating in Richmond Park, Richmond and Kew, Greater London
Period: 1960s (1960 - 1969)
Four adults and four children walking and skating on the ice on a pond or lake in Richmond Park in winter.
Skating in Richmond Park, Richmond and Kew, Greater London
Royal Botanic Gardens, Palm House, Kew, Richmond And Kew, Greater London
Period: 1960s (1960 - 1969)
A view across lawn to the pond at Kew Gardens looking west to the Palm House, an oriental lion statue to left, framed by trees above
Royal Botanic Gardens, Palm House, Kew, Richmond And Kew, Greater London
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