Richmond, London

Not to be confused with Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Richmond
Richmond Riverside
Richmond is located in Greater London
Richmond
Richmond
Location within Greater London
Area5.38 km2 (2.08 sq mi)
Population21,469 (North Richmond and South Richmond wards 2011)[1]
• Density3,991/km2 (10,340/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTQ1874
• Charing Cross8.2 mi (13.2 km) ENE
London borough
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townRICHMOND
Postcode districtTW9, TW10
Dialling code020
PoliceMetropolitan
FireLondon
AmbulanceLondon
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°27′22″N 0°18′04″W / 51.456°N 0.301°W / 51.456; -0.301

Richmond is a town in south-west London,[nb 1][2][3][4][5] 8.2 miles (13.2 km) west-southwest of Charing Cross. It stands on the River Thames, and features many parks and open spaces, including Richmond Park, and many protected conservation areas,[6] which include much of Richmond Hill.[7] A specific Act of Parliament protects the scenic view of the River Thames from Richmond.[8]

Richmond was founded following King Henry VII's building in the 16th century of Richmond Palace (so-named in 1501), from which the town derives its name. (The palace's manor itself took its name from King Henry's earldom of Richmond, North Yorkshire, the original Richmond.) The town and palace became particularly associated with Queen Elizabeth I (r. 1558–1603), who spent her last days there. During the 18th century, Richmond Bridge connected the two banks of the Thames, and many Georgian terraces were built, particularly around Richmond Green and on Richmond Hill. Those that have survived remain well-preserved and many have been designated listed buildings on account of their architectural or historic significance. The opening of Richmond railway station in 1846 was a significant event in the absorption of the town into a rapidly expanding London.

In 1890, the town of Richmond, formerly part of the ancient parish of Kingston upon Thames in the county of Surrey, became a municipal borough, which later extended to include Kew, Ham, Petersham and part of Mortlake (North Sheen).[9] The municipal borough was abolished in 1965, when local-government reorganisation transferred Richmond from Surrey to Greater London.[10]

Since 1965, Richmond has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. As of 2011 it had a population of 21,469 (in the North Richmond and South Richmond wards). It has a significant commercial and retail centre with a developed day and evening economy. The name "Richmond upon Thames" often refers, incorrectly, to the town of Richmond: in fact (unlike the case of nearby Kingston upon Thames), the suffixed form should properly apply only to the London borough.

  1. ^ Census Information Scheme (2012). "2011 Census Ward Population figures for London". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  2. ^ "London Government Act 1963 (c.33) (as amended)". Office of Public Sector Information. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  3. ^ "London Initial proposals summary" (PDF). Boundary Commission for England. September 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  4. ^ Fifth Periodical Report Cm 7032B (PDF). Boundary Commission for England. March 2007. ISBN 9780101703222. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  5. ^ Mayor of London (April 2009). "A new plan for London: Proposals for the Mayor's London Plan" (PDF). Greater London Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Conservation Areas" (PDF). London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Richmond Hill Conservation Area 5" (PDF). London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  8. ^ Richmond Libraries' Local Studies Collection (22 October 2020). "The view from Richmond Hill". London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference vob_borough was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Young, K. & Garside, P. (1982). Metropolitan London: Politics and Urban Change 1837–1981. London: Edward Arnold. ISBN 9780713163315.


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