Free tour

Richmond. Palaces, Parks and the River.

5.00

Excellent(1)

London

Duration: 2 hours

Languages: English

Guru: Tom

Registered on 5 December 2025

My name is Tom, and I have lived and worked in London for almost 40 years, and have always found it to be a special place. When I first came here I loved exploring both the area of Richmond, and also the whole city, and have spent decades being constantly surprised by the things I find. I was a Primary School teacher in a local school for nearly all of that time, and have had a lifetime of finding things out, sharing them, and then discovering more. I have always enjoyed noticing new things, ever since always wanting to be in the front seat of the car as a young child. I never wanted to miss things, and was fascinated by everything that was pointed out to me. All places were interesting then, and still are. And some places are special. I hope that I can share some of those places with you.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Do what royalty, nobility, and almost all the people of London have been doing for hundreds of years; leave the crowds of the city centre behind, and come out to Richmond for a great day out. Come and see why Richmond is a special part of London, and discover its charm, historic sites and hidden secrets. I have been exploring Richmond for almost 40 years , and have lived and worked in the local area for most of that time. With a limit of only 5 people there will be lots of time for exploring at a relaxed pace, taking lots of photos, and for answering questions in detail. So book this tour, and find out about this special town, part of London, but somehow separate as well.

On this tour you will explore the history of Richmond through the ages.

Richmond Little Green - WhyRichmond was for centuries a royal manor called ‘Shene’.

Old Palace Gate - The first Palace of ‘Shene’.

Old Palace Yard - The Tudor Palace, and stories about Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I.

Old Palace Lane - How one small cottage changed over time.

The King’s Observatory - The Observatory that had an important impact on the world.

Cholmondeley Walk - How Friars Land, and the houses on it, changed over time.

Riverside Development - The changing face of the riverside.

Mears Garden - The setting of a mysterious story from 1895.

The Vineyard - How a street on the hill changed over time.

Richmond Green - The Green from the time of the Palace to the present day.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Richmond Little Green

I will be standing outside Richmond Theatre wearing a light blue hat.

Outside visit

Little Green

The first Palace of ‘Shene’ up to the reign of Henry VII.

Outside visit

Old Palace Gate

The Palace of Henry VII, and stories about Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I.

Outside visit

Old Palace Yard

The Palace of Henry VII, and stories about Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.