Well last Thursday Christy and I hopped on the train with South Western Railway and we had the best day! Seriously. Every time I go to Richmond it gets better and better! I keep finding new little spots. I’ll be honest with you, when we lived there 6 years ago, there wasn’t half as much as there is now. But above all of that, Richmond’s real charm is its natural beauty. It’s so quintessentially British and life by the river must be so delightful. So technically we lived in St. Margaret’s (it was right by Richmond bridge) and only for a few months as we couldn’t afford it anymore. It was a small basement apartment in a huge old house. It was our first place when we moved back from Australia after living with Daniels parents for a few weeks. I loved it! We’ve drove past a few times and the memories come flooding back.
I was genuinely over the moon when South Western Railway asked if I would like to do a little project with them because A: I have been travelling with them constantly for the last few years living in Surrey .B: It was giving me the opportunity to head off for the day, discover and wander a beautiful location and give me the creative freedom to document it all! We thought it would be a fun idea to do a poll on my Stories a few weeks ago. I chose Cobham and Richmond as two of my favourite locations on their train map. You guys chose Richmond! I thoroughly recommend making use of the fantastic public transport system we have so available to us and going on a day trip. There are some gorgeous towns and villages to be discovered if you follow their destination map. My Dad and I travelled to Bath with them too a few weeks ago! We booked those tickets in advance and here is the link to see how you can save up to 50% if you pre-book your tickets online.
So we changed at Staines and then needed to wait a bit as there had been an incident at Mortlake. The staff were (and always are) SO helpful and they put us on the right train, the minute they knew what was happening. Now we were on our own, but I’d just like to make a note of the fact that when I have the pram, they always go out of their way to help me. I travel on South Western Railway on my own with three kids under 5 so I’m always asking for help! I have seen them take care of people in wheelchairs too into and off the train and they have been calm and so lovely.
It was pouring down with rain the whole day, but I think that made it cosier! Richmond is probably my favourite place to go on a Sunday. First stop for us was Petersham Nurseries! Now as with everything, I have an emotional connection! I used to work here when I was pregnant with Saoirse! I served the food and worked on the till in the tea house. How gorgeous is this! I’d recommend it for everything and anything – couples romantic evening meal, they even a solo evening meal (I eat out on my own when I’m working late in London so ALL for that) family Sunday lunch etc. And the garden shop!! So magical.
We walked over to Richmond Park after that and spotted some deer. I was too afraid to get closer to them and I wouldn’t want to be getting in their way anyhow. It’s their house after all!! This park is such an iconic London spot. We take a picnic here during the summer and it’s a wonderful place to work out too. Lots of people jogging and cycling. David Attenborough lives up Richmond Hill and we were trying to guess which house was his on the way down to Hollyhock Cafe!
Now this place is tucked away into the trees and isn’t it just like something from The Lord of the Rings? Christy was very happy with the gluten-free and vegan options! The coffee is really good too! I need to come back here more often. the cosy fire just made it!
After that, we walked down to the river from Richmond Bridge with a belly full of cake. These old little huts where they fix the boats are like something from a movie.
So many cute British pubs down by the river and up the lanes onto the high street. It was quite quiet when I went on Friday, but normally at weekends it’s so busy and especially in the summer, it is packed by the riverside, there’s music on the cobbled pavement and everybody has either a Pimms, an ice cream or a pint in their hand!
You know this little day trip reiterated to me how much I absolutely ADORE living in England. I am on a mission to discover more (especially after Bath a few weeks ago too!) and yup, I’ll be doing so with South Western Railway. That was a bit cringy…but I actually will be!!!!