Located on a River Thames meander just over eight miles from Charing Cross, the affluent town of Richmond is positioned within the London borough of Richmond upon Thames.
In 2021 the average price for property in Richmond was £1,050,177, which was higher than the £931,313 average recorded across the borough of Richmond upon Thames. Richmond was significantly more expensive than the district of Hanworth, which recorded an overall average property price of £405,895, however it was notably more affordable than property in Petersham, where the average home would set you back £2,039,268.
Flats accounted for the majority of sales that took place in Richmond in 2021, and they reached an overall average of £588,811. Richmond is also home to a good selection of terraced and semi-detached properties, which fetched £1,041,544 and £1,459,067 respectively.
Overall prices in Richmond fell slightly from 2021, and placed them on a par with the £1,043,377 average recorded in 2019. While purchasing for investment purposes may not make the most sense here, it should be heartening to see that property in Richmond holds its value very well.
What is living in Richmond like?
Richmond came into existence following the construction of Richmond Palace by King Henry VII, and today it is home to numerous open spaces and protected conservation areas. Comprised of North and South Richmond, the area is among the most affluent in London and is home to numerous shops, restaurants, cafés and bars.
It would be remiss to begin talking about Richmond without first focusing on the areas of open space, as this is one of the town's most prominent features. Richmond Park was established as a deer park in the 17th century by Charles I. At more than 2,300 acres, it is the second largest park in London and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a national nature reserve and a Special Area of Conservation.
Old Deer Park covers 360 acres and has an array of notable features including a lido, athletic ground and informal sports area. Old Deer Park is also home to the King's Observatory, which is a Grade I listed building that once housed a terrestrial and astronomical magnetic observatory created by King George III. Notably both of these parks host Parkrun events every Saturday morning.
As a very outdoors-focused area, residents can also enjoy the riverside in numerous ways. Towpaths can be followed on either side of the river and are popular amongst cyclists, walkers and joggers. Additionally, daily boat services call at Richmond on their way to Hampton Court Palace and Kew.
In terms of amenities, Richmond is home to numerous independent and well-known high street names. Heron Square hosts a farmers' market every Saturday, with vendors selling an array of local produce. The Thames-side walkway offers easy access to numerous footpaths, greens, pubs and terraces while offering beautiful views of leafy Corporation Island, which sits between Richmond Bridge and Richmond Railway Bridge.
Living in Richmond pros and cons
Pro: There are numerous excellent schools within a one mile radius of Richmond
For families with school-age children education provision is an important consideration, so you'll be pleased to learn that there are numerous options in this beautiful part of the city. Some of the most impressive offerings include Barnes Primary, St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary and Thomson House School, all of which Ofsted have rated as 'Outstanding'.
One disadvantage is that there are fewer secondary schools within a few miles of Richmond, however Ark Putney Academy, Christ's Church of England Comprehensive Secondary School and Fulham Cross Academy have all secured 'Good' ratings from Ofsted.
There is also a selection of independent schools in the local area, including Falcons School for Girls, Ibstock Place School and Tower House School.
Con: Richmond often gets very busy
As Richmond is home to numerous notable locations and has a long, very rich history it can get extremely busy, particularly during summer weekends. Plus, from Richmond Park's bridle paths to the array of football pitches, boating opportunities and cycle paths in the area, Richmond is also a huge draw for people living in the surrounding areas. Richmond Hill is another popular hot-spot, with both locals and tourists alike flocking to the area to enjoy the spectacular views from Terrace Walk.
Pro: Richmond is home to an array of notable locations
Orange Tree Theatre and Richmond Theatre host a variety of musicals and plays, both new creations and almost-forgotten classics. The area also benefits from several cinemas alongside the Museum of Richmond, which hosts a program of rotating exhibitions celebrating the local area.
Is Richmond a safe place to live?
In the North Richmond SNT area there were 1,670 crimes reported during the same two-year period. This total includes 386 vehicle offences, 377 violent crimes and 350 cases of theft. Overall, crime in this part of Richmond was lower than in North Richmond. Cases were relatively up and down throughout 2021, with peaks of around 80 cases per month seen in March and November.
In South Richmond there were 2,513 criminal incidents reported between February 2020 and January 2022. This figure includes 848 cases of theft, 510 violent crimes and 378 vehicle offences. Throughout 2021 crime in South Richmond remained fairly stable apart from two peaks seen in June and November, when there were 160 cases recorded in a four-week period.
In November 2021 there were 25 incidents of theft from a vehicle, 19 cases of theft from a person and 16 cases of miscellaneous theft recorded in South Richmond. There were a few notable crime hot-spots including around Richmond Theatre and Richmond station. Stats also show that there were 14 crimes per 1,000 residents recorded in this part of Richmond in November 2021. This is higher than the five crimes per 1,000 residents recorded across the borough of Richmond upon Thames, and the eight crimes per 1,000 residents seen across the wider London area.
Which celebrities live in Richmond?
Richmond is one of those areas of London that has seen an incredible array of notable people purchasing and renting property. From musicians Anastacia, Rick Astley and Pete Townshend, to actors Jane Horrocks, Amanda Holden, Richard E. Grant and Anna Chancellor, the list really is endless.
And this is before we even get started on the long list of Royals who chose to live in Richmond over the centuries, including Anne of Cleves, Queen Elizabeth I and Edward VII.
Things to consider when moving to Richmond
While most of Richmond is outside the ULEZ zone, it is very much on the border which means that drivers of vehicles that don't meet emissions standards may need to pay the daily charge to drive within the area. To counter this however, Richmond boasts excellent transport links, including Overground services to Stratford and District Line Underground services to Kew Gardens and Upminster. There are also several bus routes running through the area.
Crime is relatively high in the area, particularly when compared to the rest of the borough of Richmond upon Thames. With that said, it is perhaps unsurprising that incidents of theft are typically the most common, particularly as this affluent area sees such a high level of tourist footfall throughout the year.