Richmond
Things to do in Richmond, Greater London
Photo © Mark Curl, Google Maps
Richmond is known for its castle, a great Norman fortress that still looms over the River Swale and the cobbled market town below. This is the gateway to Swaledale, and the town itself has the compact, hilly charm of somewhere built around a river gorge, with steep streets leading down to the water and out towards the open dale country beyond.
Richmond Castle itself is the obvious first stop, with views straight down over the river. Richmond Park offers a gentler pace for walking, and families tend to gravitate towards the Richmond Mystery Treasure Trail and Richmond Treasure Hunt Trail, both good ways to explore the town's lanes and yards with children in tow. The Station, Richmond's old railway building, has been repurposed as a hub for shops, cinema, and gatherings. Stag Lodge Stables gives visitors a chance to see the dale on horseback, one of the better ways to take in the surrounding hills.
Richmond suits a stay of a few days rather than a flying visit: enough time to walk the castle grounds, get out into Swaledale, and still have an evening or two to sit down properly in town.
Where to stay in Richmond(12)
All hotels in Richmond →About staying in Richmond
Most visitors base themselves in the town centre, where guest houses like the Bingham, Kew B&B, and Last Cottage put you within walking distance of the castle and the market square. Out in the surrounding villages, places such as Bolton Arms in Downholme, Fox Hall Inn, and Holly Hill Inn offer a quieter, more rural stay with the dale on your doorstep. For those who prefer to camp, there is real variety scattered through the valley, from Swaledale Yurts and Dale2Swale Glamping to Millfields Caravan and Camping, Brompton Caravan Park, and the remote Tan Hill Inn, said to be one of the highest pubs in England.
Bingham
61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond
Black Lion Hotel
12 Finkle Street, Richmond
Kew B&B
271 Sandycombe Road, Richmond
Premier Inn London Richmond
136-138 Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond
Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa
152-158 Richmond Hill, Richmond
Richmond Hill Hotel
144-150 Richmond Hill, Richmond
Shoulder of Mutton
Kirby Hill, Richmond
The Buck Hotel
27-29 Newbiggin, Richmond
Things to Do in Richmond(8)
All attractions in Richmond →
Where to Eat in Richmond(29)
All restaurants in Richmond →About eating out in Richmond
Eating out in Richmond runs from tearooms to proper sit-down restaurants. Drummer Boy Tea Room and Deja Brew Cafe are suited to a slower afternoon, while Edwina's Cakes covers anyone after something sweet. For a full meal, Barkers of Richmond and Capri Italian Restaurant are well established, and Amontola and Elixir add some variety to the town's dining scene.
Attractions Near Richmond
All attractions in Richmond →Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Richmond.
0 mi
Snakes and Ladders Play Centre
Brentford · ⭐ 4.2
1 mi
The Musical Museum
Brentford · ⭐ 4.8
1 mi
Syon Park
Brentford · ⭐ 4.5
1 mi
London Museum of Water & Steam
Brentford · ⭐ 4.6
1 mi
Mella Mella's Pottery, Play & Cafe
Chiswick · ⭐ 4.4
1 mi
Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre
Brentford · ⭐ 3.4
1 mi
Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub
London · ⭐ 4.5
2 mi
Boom Battle Bar Ealing
London · ⭐ 4.8
Camping in Richmond(1)
All campsites in Richmond →
Apps Court
⭐ 4.2
Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site
⭐ 4.2 · from £22/night
Laleham Camping Club
⭐ 4.0 · from £15/night
Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site
⭐ 4.4 · from £15/night
Chertsey Caravan Park
⭐ 4.4
Aldenham Country Park
⭐ 4.3 · from £22/night
Home Farm Glamping
⭐ 4.8
Wyatts Covert Caravan and Motorhome Club Site
⭐ 4.4
Self-Catering Cottages in Richmond
All cottages in Richmond →
Twicken Townhouse
4 bed · sleeps 9
Hill Rise Cottage
4 bed · sleeps 12 · from £3,786
Gascony Getaway
2 bed · sleeps 6
The Bean Flat
2 bed · sleeps 6 · from £1,376
Riverbank
6 bed · sleeps 11 · from £2,052
St Mary’s Crescent House
4 bed · sleeps 8 · from £2,273
St Mary’s Avenue House
4 bed · sleeps 8 · from £2,273
Farthing
2 bed · sleeps 4
Common questions about Richmond
How many campsites are there in Richmond?
We list 1 campsites in and around Richmond, of which 1 offer glamping.
Where can I stay in Richmond?
We list 12 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Richmond.
What is there to do in Richmond?
We list 8 attractions and things to do in and around Richmond.
Where can I eat in Richmond?
We list 29 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Richmond.
Staycation ideas for Richmond
Adults Only Staycations: Where to Find Genuine Quiet
Adults only means different things at different properties, from a formal age policy to simply being somewhere children would be bored. How to tell which you are booking, and where the quiet places are.
Staycations for the Over 60s: Comfortable, Not Compromised
Fewer stairs, shorter drives, better food and somewhere worth walking to. Where those come together, what to check before booking, and why the shoulder seasons are the best time to go.
Christmas Light Trails in the UK: Where to Go in 2026
Illuminated after-dark trails through gardens and parkland have become a fixture of the British December. The best-known for 2026, what they cost in time and planning, and how to choose.
The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations
Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.