Set on a bend of the River Thames is Twickenham, a wealthy suburban town with a village-like ambiance. Attend a rugby match at Twickenham’s famous arena and take guided tours of its stately mansions. Sip on a pint of real ale at a waterfront pub and visit fascinating museums that recount the suburb’s history.
Sports fans flock to Twickenham Stadium, which is the headquarters of Rugby Union Football and the world’s largest rugby arena. Take your seat among the 82,000 spectators to watch the England rugby team and club matches of the Premiership Rugby competition. If there’s no sporting event on when you visit then check the concert schedule. Previous performers include Beyonce and the Rolling Stones.
Get an insight into the history of the town and its neighboring areas at The Twickenham Museum. The Eel Pie Island Museum celebrates the boatyard and 1960s music heritage of Eel Pie Island. Browse examples of fine and contemporary art at Orleans House Gallery, housed inside an 18th-century Palladian-style villa. Performing arts enthusiasts can catch interpretations of Shakespearean plays at the Mary Wallace Theatre.
The town’s affluence becomes evident when visiting its glorious mansions. Join a guided tour of Marble Hill House, admire Georgian-era paintings and enjoy the beautiful greenery of Marble Hill Park. Strawberry Hill House, the Gothic-style former home of novelist Horace Walpole, is also open for tours. Stroll along the riverfront pathways of York House Gardens and watch a local cricket match at Twickenham Green.
When hunger strikes or you get thirsty, there are dozens of characterful pubs to choose from. Several have flower-filled gardens and patios that open onto the riverside and become the go-to places on sunny days. Chat with locals while sampling real ales and hearty British pub food.
Twickenham falls within the London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. Travel here by overground train and bus from Central London. Parking restrictions apply on the town’s streets so it’s best to arrive by public transportation.
