Strawberry Hill

Richmond, Kew & Hampton Court


With its snow-white walls and Gothic turrets, this fantastical and totally restored 18th-century creation in Twickenham is the work of art historian, author and politician Horace Walpole. Studded with elaborate stained glass, the building reaches its astonishing apogee in the gallery, with its magnificent papier-mâché ceiling. For the full magic, join a twilight tour (£25). Last admission to the house is one hour before closing time.

For homemade cakes, quiche and afternoon tea (from £5), pop into the Cloister Garden Cafe (open 9.30am to 4pm Sunday to Wednesday) and don't overlook exploring the garden. The house is a five- to 10-minute walk from Strawberry Hill train station; otherwise take bus R68 from Richmond tube station.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Richmond, Kew & Hampton Court attractions

1. Ham House

0.88 MILES

Known as ‘Hampton Court in miniature’, much haunted red-brick Ham House was built in 1610 and became home to the first Earl of Dysart, unluckily employed…

2. Marble Hill House

1.19 MILES

An 18th-century Palladian peach conceived as an idyllic escape from the hurly-burly of city life, this majestic love nest was originally built for George…

3. World Rugby Museum

1.2 MILES

This museum at Twickenham Stadium boasts 41,000 items of rugby memorabilia, the most extensive collection in the world. Interactive exhibitions and events…

4. Bushy Park

1.52 MILES

Hampton Court Palace presses up against 445-hectare Bushy Park, a semiwild expanse with herds of red and fallow deer.

5. Petersham Meadows

1.62 MILES

Once part of the Ham House estate, pastoral Petersham Meadows – where cows still graze – is a perfectly bucolic slice of rural England, especially if you…

6. Pembroke Lodge

1.73 MILES

Set in a beautiful 13-hectare garden and affording great views of the city from the back terrace, Pembroke Lodge was the childhood home of Bertrand…

7. Richmond Bridge

1.75 MILES

This five-span bridge, built in 1777, is London’s oldest surviving crossing and was only widened for traffic in 1937. According to the Richmond Bridge Act…

8. Richmond Lock

1.8 MILES

Dating from 1894, 250ft long Richmond Lock and footbridge is open during the day to pedestrians.