Richmond upon Thames Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Richmond upon Thames?

Richmond upon Thames is considered an affluent borough that can offer a high standard of living for residents.

One of the standout features of the area is its expansive green spaces. Richmond Park, the largest royal park in London, is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, offering stunning views, woodland walks, and a variety of wildlife. Other parks in the area include Bushy Park, Kew Gardens, and Marble Hill Park.

In addition to its parks, Richmond upon Thames also has a number of popular attractions, including historic landmarks such as Hampton Court Palace and the Twickenham Stadium, home to England’s national rugby team.

For shopping, the town centre of Richmond is a popular destination for high street shopping, with Duck Pond Market offering a range of handmade and artisanal products, while Kew Village is a charming shopping district with a variety of independent shops and boutiques.

In terms of the cost of living, Richmond upon Thames is generally an affluent area with a high standard of living. As a result, the cost of living can be high, particularly in some of the more prestigious areas. However, there are also more affordable areas within the borough, such as Feltham.

The borough relies mostly on National Rail and bus services for public transport, though Richmond and Kew Gardens are on the District Underground and the Overground lines.

Richmond upon Thames is also home to a variety of schools, both state-run and independent, many of which are highly regarded for their academic performance and extracurricular activities.

This guide provides an overview of important statistics about the borough and how it compares to other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Richmond upon Thames?

Properties in Richmond upon Thames on average cost £736,499.00, ranking the borough as the 29 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Richmond upon Thames is considered an affluent area with high property prices, but there are still some areas that are more expensive than others. Richmond Hill and Petersham are two of the most sought-after areas with grand Georgian and Victorian homes. Barnes, Twickenham, and Kew are other areas that tend to have higher property prices. However, there are more affordable areas such as Hampton, which is popular with families and offers a range of housing options. Feltham and Whitton are also more affordable areas that offer a mix of housing options.

How much does it cost to rent in Richmond upon Thames?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,002 per month to rent which ranks 11 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,320 per month to rent which ranks 14 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,790 per month to rent which ranks 22 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,303 per month to rent which ranks 22 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £3,871 per month to rent which ranks 27 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Richmond upon Thames?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 87000 in total, ranking 28 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 40.0% of households are owned outright
• 35.2% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 10.1% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 10.1% of households are privately rented

Is Richmond upon Thames a good place to live?

Although determining whether an area is a good place to live is subjective, we can use data on personal wellbeing collected by the ONS through the Annual Population Survey as an indicator to compare boroughs:

• Richmond upon Thames ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Richmond upon Thames ranks 17 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Richmond upon Thames ranks 18 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Richmond upon Thames ranks 25 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Richmond upon Thames and are they good?

In total Richmond upon Thames has 82 schools, which are broken down into:

• 45 state primary schools
• 11 state secondary schools
• 23 independent schools

Richmond upon Thames is home to a variety of primary, secondary and independent schools. Some notable primary schools include The Vineyard School, Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, and Marshgate Primary School. For secondary schools, Richmond upon Thames School and Orleans Park School are well-regarded for their academic performance, while The Lady Eleanor Holles School is a renowned independent girls’ school. Other independent schools in the borough include the German School London and Hampton School, which offer a range of educational approaches and specialisms.

For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.

Is Richmond upon Thames polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Richmond upon Thames ranks 11 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Richmond upon Thames ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Richmond upon Thames ranks 10 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Richmond upon Thames?

The employment rate in Richmond upon Thames is 75.1% which ranks 18 of 32 boroughs in terms of highest employment rate.

Employment rate is important to know for those considering moving to the area, as it can provide an indication of the job market and economic opportunities available in the borough.

Is Richmond upon Thames a wealthy area?

The average income in Richmond upon Thames is £90,400 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 4 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Richmond upon Thames is generally considered to be a wealthy area. It has a high average household income and property prices are among the highest in London, with many large and luxurious homes located in the borough. The area is also known for its affluent residents and high-end retail and dining options.

Is Richmond upon Thames a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Richmond upon Thames has a mix of cultures and religions, with its Muslim and Hindu populations in particular being significant. According to the ONS:

• 51.3% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 3.6% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 2.1% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 7.3% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Richmond upon Thames?

Richmond upon Thames is 57.4 km2, making it the 8th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 205,051 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 29 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 3,572, ranking it 29 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Richmond upon Thames safe?

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:

• 8,698 total reported crimes and 42.42 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 4 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 814 total reported burglaries and 3.97 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 22 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 620 total reported cases of criminal damage and 3.02 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 3 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 161 total reported drug related crimes and 0.79 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 1 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 247 total reported robberies and 1.20 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 2 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 173 total reported sexual offences and 0.84 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 1 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 4,498 total reported thefts and 21.94 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 5 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 2,073 total reported violent crimes and 10.11 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Richmond upon Thames as 1 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Richmond upon Thames have?

There are numerous public transport options available in Richmond upon Thames, with connections to other parts of London via tube, overground, rail and bus services.

Richmond and Kew Gardens stations are both served by the District line and Overground, while the rest of the borough relies on National Rail services. This includes South Western Railway services from the following stations:

• Barnes
• Barnes Bridge
• Fulwell
• Hampton
• Hampton Wick
• Mortlake
• North Sheen
• Richmond
• St Margarets
• Strawberry Hill
• Teddington
• Twickenham
• Whitton

This provides regular connections to London Waterloo and Kingston, as well as other destinations such as Reading and Windsor.

The borough has an extensive network of bus services, with routes connecting to central London and other areas. Specific bus services include the H22, which runs from Richmond to Hounslow, the 33 which runs from Hammersmith to Fulwell, and the R68 which runs from Hampton Court to Kew.

In addition, there are several riverboat services that run along the Thames, stopping at piers in Richmond, Twickenham, and Hampton Court. There are also several cycle routes in the borough, including the Thames Path and the National Cycle Route 4.

What places are in Richmond upon Thames?

There are several distinct areas in the borough of Richmond upon Thames, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:

• Barnes – A picturesque riverside area known for its village-like atmosphere and independent shops and cafes.
• East Sheen – A residential area with good schools and easy access to Richmond Park.
• Ham – A riverside village with a strong sense of community and plenty of green spaces.
• Hampton – A historic area that is home to Hampton Court Palace and several parks.
• Kew – A leafy area known for its botanical gardens, historic houses, and independent shops.
• Mortlake – A riverside area that is popular with young professionals and families.
• North Sheen – A mainly residential area with good transport links to central London.
• Petersham – A picturesque village with views of the River Thames and Richmond Park.
• Richmond – A bustling town with a range of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, including Richmond Theatre.
• St Margarets – A trendy area with a village-like feel and a thriving independent business community.
• Teddington – A lively town with a strong sense of community and plenty of green spaces, including Bushy Park.
• Twickenham – A vibrant town famous for its rugby stadium and riverside location, with plenty of shops and restaurants.

What is Richmond upon Thames famous for?

Richmond upon Thames is known for its expansive parks, historic landmarks and cultural heritage, such as:

1. Richmond Park: This largest park and one of the most famous in London. Home to hundreds of deer, as well as beautiful landscapes and walking trails.
2. The River Thames: Richmond upon Thames sits on the banks of the River Thames, which is an important part of London’s history and culture.
3. Richmond Bridge: This iconic bridge is one of the oldest in London and is a popular spot for photos.
4. Hampton Court Palace: A grand palace that was home to King Henry VIII and is now open to the public for tours.
5. Kew Gardens: A large botanical garden that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to thousands of plant species.
6. Twickenham Stadium: A famous stadium that is the home of English rugby and has hosted numerous high-profile sporting events.
7. Richmond Theatre: An iconic theatre that has been entertaining audiences since the 1800s and hosts a wide range of performances.
8. Richmond Hill: An area offering stunning views of the River Thames, popular for picnics and walks.
9. Marble Hill House: An 18th-century villa that is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture and is open to the public for tours.
10. The National Archives: An important institution that houses millions of historical documents and is a vital resource for researchers and historians.
11. Petersham Nurseries: A unique garden centre and restaurant offering a picturesque setting for lunch or afternoon tea.
12. Richmond Lock and Weir: A structure that regulates the water level of the River Thames and is an important part of London’s infrastructure.
13. The Old Deer Park Sports Grounds: A large park that is a popular spot for sports and outdoor activities and is home to several sports clubs.
14. Strawberry Hill House: A Gothic Revival villa was built in the 18th century and is a beautiful example of historic architecture.
15. The Richmond Hill Hotel: A historic hotel has been serving guests since the 1700s and is a popular destination for weddings and special events.

What boroughs are next to Richmond upon Thames?

Richmond upon Thames is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Hounslow is to the north
• The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is to the northeast
• The London Borough of Wandsworth is to the east
• The London Borough of Kingston upon Thames is to the south

The borough also shares a border with the county of Surrey to its south.