Richmond, Kew and Hampton Court is probably the London you barely knew existed and it feels like a countryside escape less than 1 hour away from the city center. That said, cramming all three into a single day is not realistic. So, here’s an in-depth rundown of what to see in each area, followed by practical itineraries to help you make the most of a day out, without feeling rushed.

1) Kew

📍 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most renowned botanical gardens, Kew Gardens are a absolute must if you love flora (and even if you're not a plant person to be honest). The Palm House, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Chinese Pagoda and Treetop Walkway (kids will love this one!) are the highlights. Gardens are spanning over 121 hectares so you can easily spend half a day on site!

📍 Syon House

Technically across the river from Kew Gardens, Syon House is a grand stately home with expansive gardens. If you have time, it’s well worth crossing the river for a glimpse into a Tudor-era mansion remodeled in the 18th century. The estate includes 16-hectare gardens, with a lake and a magnificent domed Great Conservatory.

📍 WWT London Wetland Centre

A bit further east from Kew Gardens, this wildlife reserve in Barnes is a tranquil spot for bird-watching and family-friendly trails. If you enjoy nature and want a less tourist-heavy experience, it’s a gem. Kids will love observing the otters swimming and foraging.

🚊 How to get to Kew from Central London

• Tube: District Line to Kew Gardens Station (~30 min from Victoria Station). Make sure you catch the right branch heading to Richmond!
• Train: South Western Railway from Waterloo to Kew Bridge Station (~30 min), then a short walk.

2) Richmond

📍 Richmond town & riverside

Richmond itself is a charming suburban town with a bustling high street full of shops and restaurants. The riverside offers scenic walkways along the Thames with historic pubs and benches to soak in the views. This is arguably one of the most enjoyable stretches of the Thames, especially on a sunny day, when rowers and kayakers take to the river.

📍 Terrace Gardens

Climb up to Terrace Gardens, just behind Richmond Hill, a beautifully landscaped hilltop garden with one of the best views in London overlooking the Thames. It's especially magical at sunset!

📍 Richmond Park

Richmond Park, the largest urban parkland in Europe, is famous for its deer population roaming freely (keep your distance in rutting season around Sept/Oct as males can be aggressive). You'll find a mix of habitats, from neat gardens to woodland and assorted ponds spanning almost 1,000 hectares. One highlight is the Isabella Plantation in April/May when the rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias are in full bloom 🌺

You can also make your way to King Henry’s Mound for one of the best protected views of St. Paul’s Cathedral in the distance or head to Pembroke Lodge for a cup of tea.

📍 Additional sights worth mentioning

If you're into history, this stretch of the River Thames is home to historical villas/mansions that are worth a detour:

• Marble Hill: A Palladian villa set in 60 acres of riverside parkland, offering guided tours of this 18th-century retreat. The grounds and the villa are free to roam, and it’s a lovely spot for a picnic.
• Ham House & Garden: A 17th-century manor on the banks of the Thames, filled with period art and furniture and surrounded by lovely gardens.
• Strawberry Hill House & Garden: A gothic 18th-century villa in Twickenham (near Richmond) that has been totally restored. The staff offers different tours, including the Twilight Tour from Monday to Friday. For homemade cakes and afternoon tea, pop into the Garden Cafe on site.

🚊 How to get to Richmond from Central London

• Tube: District Line to Richmond Station (~40 min from Victoria Station).
• Train: South Western Railway from Waterloo to Richmond Station (~25 min)

3) Hampton Court

📍 Hampton Court Palace

The Hampton Court Palace is Britain's most spectacular Tudor palace. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Tudor Kitchens, the King's Staircase as well as stunning gardens and a 300-year old maze. An audio guide is included in the palace admission to get further historical context. There are 2 cafes within the grounds of the palace (The Tiltyard and the Privy Kitchen Cafe) as well as kiosks selling snacks, ice creams and refreshments. You should plan ~3h to fully enjoy the palace, courtyards, and gardens.

📍 Bushy Park

Located just north of Hampton Court, Bushy Park is the second-largest Royal Park in London. It's known for its water gardens, its roaming herds of deer, and the Diana Fountain. A perfect spot for a picnic or a peaceful walk if you have extra time after visiting the palace.

🛥️ Riverboat Ride

One of the most underrated ways to hop between these areas is by boat. From April to October, there’s a scenic ferry that runs from Westminster Pier in Central London to Kew Pier, Richmond Landing Stage and Hampton Court Landing Stage. It’s definitely slower (3h30 journey from Westminster to Hampton Court and 1h30 between Richmond and Hampton Court) and the schedule can be sparse, but if the weather is glorious, it’s a fantastic experience!

You can check timetables and prices on the official Thames River Boats website.

🧭 Itinerary ideas

Here are 3 different day-trip outlines to help you combine these areas without wearing yourself out.

Option 1: Nature + a good dose of walking/cycling

1️⃣ Morning at Kew Gardens

• Hop on the District line and head to Kew Gardens station. If you're looking for breakfast or a caffeine fix, the Kew Greenhouse Cafe or Cafe Torelli are great options near the station. Otherwise, you can stop at the Victoria Plaza Cafe or the Orangery inside Kew Gardens
• Wander the glasshouses, Treetop Walkway, and the endless flowerbeds at Kew Gardens. I would plan to spend a minimum of 3h on site (you could literally spend the entire day there!)

2️⃣ Lunch at Kew Gardens or in the neighborhood

• You can grab lunch at one of the restaurants inside Kew Gardens (the Orangery, the Pavilion Bar & Grill, the Family Kitchen or the Botanical Brasserie) or pop out to the village for a pub lunch 🍔🍺 at either The Botanist on Kew Green or The Tap on the Line (near the station). If you fancy Italian cuisine, head to Santa Maria 🍕

3️⃣ Afternoon in Richmond

• Take the District Line from Kew Gardens Station to Richmond (just one stop)
• Explore the riverside or head directly to Richmond Park. If you want to cover more ground within the park, rent a bike from stores like Blazing Saddles in Richmond or use a cycle hire app like Lime or Forest for maximum flexibility (no need to bring the bike to a store)
• Alternatively, jump on a local bus (e.g., the 371 or 65) up to Richmond Park. Plan for another 2-3h in the park, especially if you make a pit stop at Pembroke Lodge for tea

4️⃣ Sunset at Terrace Gardens

• On your way back to Richmond, stop at the Terrace Gardens to catch the sunset with a stunning panorama over the River Thames. You can wind down with a drink at The Roebuck, a pub perfectly positioned for soaking in the view.

5️⃣ Return to Central London

• Catch the train from Richmond Station back to Waterloo (or use the District Line if that’s more convenient).
• Alternatively, if you feel like spending some extra time in the area, Richmond offers an excellent variety of restaurants. Some great options:
  • Cocotte Richmond (££) - French cuisine with fresh ingredients from local producers
  • Noci Richmond (££) - Fresh pasta and Sicilian street food-inspired snacks
  • Bingham Riverhouse Restaurant (££) - Modern British cuisine with sustainably sourced produce and a focus on seasonal ingredients
  • The Petersham (£££) - High-end restaurant offering modern British cuisine with views over the River Thames

Option 2: A mix of history & nature

1️⃣ Morning at Hampton Court Palace

• Arrive by train at Hampton Court from Waterloo station (~35 min) or by boat in the summer for a scenic route (keep in mind the journey from Westminster Pier last ~3h30 and will limit how much you can do during that day)
• Explore Hampton Court Palace (you should budget at least 2h30 for a full exploration of the palace and the gardens)

2️⃣ Lunch near Hampton Court

• For classic pub cuisine: The Mute Swan, The Albion or The Albany (riverside terrace) are good options
• For cafes: the Lion Gate Café serves quiches, salads, toasties and pastries with nice views over Bushy Park and Canela Cafe serves avocado toasts, salads and arepas, a type of stuffed Columbian flatbread

3️⃣ Afternoon at Richmond Park

• Take a bus from Hampton Court to Richmond Park. Bus 111 or 411 will bring you to Kingston station where you can hop on bus 371 to reach the south of the park (~35 min in total) at Kingston Gate. Alternatively, you can hire a bike using the Lime or Forest apps
• Stroll or cycle around Richmond Park, spot some deer and visit Isabella Plantation

4️⃣ Sunset at Terrace Gardens

• Head to Terrace Gardens for golden-hour views (see more in option 1 above)

5️⃣ Return to Central London or stay in Richmond for dinner (see option 1 above)

Option 3: History & scenic river walks

1️⃣ Morning at Richmond

• Arrive by train at Richmond from Waterloo station (~25 min) or by boat in the summer (~2h journey)
• For a breakfast by the river, head to the Tide Tables Cafe or Peggy Jean (Aussie cuisine on a restored barge). Alternatively, you can walk further South to Eileen's, an unpretentious cafe serving delicious cakes

2️⃣ Walk or Bike to Hampton Court Palace

• On a sunny day, walking or biking along the Thames Path from Richmond to Hampton Court is just glorious. It’s about 6 miles (~10 km) and will take you ~2h walking or ~40 min cycling
• Depending on which side of the river you pick, you'll pass by Marble Hill and Strawberry Hill House & Garden (west side) or Ham House & Garden (east side) for a first taste of history. If you want to cross the river, Hammerton's ferry operates a ferry between Ham and Marble Hill Park from March to October

3️⃣ Lunch at Hampton Court (see option 2)

4️⃣ Afternoon at Hampton Court Palace

• Explore Hampton Court Palace (you should budget at least 2h30 for a full exploration of the palace and the gardens)
• Pop into Bushy Park to spot some deer

5️⃣ Return to Central London

• Catch a train from Hampton Court Station back to Waterloo (~35 minutes)