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Formerly known as Sceon or Sheen by the Saxons, early peoples established the settlement close to the River Thames, in the western part of Surrey. Documents indicate the settlement existed as early as 950 AD.
Henry I frequented the area and Edward I and his entire court took up residence in the manor house here. Edward II constructed a monastery in Richmond during the year 1314. When Edward III became king in 1327, he gave the royal mansion to his mother Isabella. Other members of the royalty used the estate as a country resort, but in 1383, Richard II was the first to make the mansion his primary residence. When his young wife died in 1395, Richard rendered the palace a shambles. Beginning in 1414, other monarchs began reconstruction on the royal estate, but a fire in 1497 destroyed the home once again.
Henry VII constructed a new home in 1501, calling the mansion the Richmond Palace. The village adopted the name of this estate. The town of Richmond slowly grew around this property. A row of residential properties lines open grassland known as the Richmond Green. The homes housed employees of the Palace and those royals making an occasional visit. Charles I and his entourage moved here in 1625 to escape the plague devastating London. From the middle of the 1600s, the green regularly held archery contests, cricket matches and other chivalrous events. The north end of the green had a deer park, used by the royals for hunting.
Overlooking the community, on Richmond Hill, sits the expansive Royal Star and Garter Home building. Implemented as a hospital during WWI for wounded soldiers, the property now contains a nursing home.
Activities and Attractions
The community contains vast numbers of open spaces for cycling and walking. The largest of these is Richmond Park, judged to be three times the size of New York City's Central Park. The park remains the home to herds of deer and majestic buildings that include the Pembroke Lodge and the White Lodge. The White Lodge contains a ballet school and museum. Richmond Park also has two golf courses and a number of horse stables, allowing visitors to tour the countryside on horseback regardless of equestrian experience.
Another attraction in Richmond Park, located near the shoreline of River Thames, is Ham House. Built in 1610, the grand mansion welcomes visitors to explore the rooms filled with seventeenth century decor and furnishings. The landscape includes fruit and nut orchards, a kitchen garden and sculptured shrubbery. Also in the vicinity is the Marble Hill House. The Palladian villa contains a collection of paintings, some created by Panini. Guests may tour the home and spacious gardens.
For a unique auditory experience, the Musical Museum has a variety of historical automated instruments ranging from music boxes to pipe organs. The instruments, belonging to the average citizen and the wealthy alike, play everything from classical music to ragtime jazz.
Places to Stay and Dining
Richmond hotels include luxurious Victorian facilities along the River Thames. Guests are within walking distance to the water, providing the opportunity to join a charter cruise along the picturesque river.
The elegant Bingham Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner meals indoors or on an heated alfresco patio. Delicacies prepared at the venue include Jasmine Panna Cotta and Smoked Eel Risotto.
Accommodation in Richmond
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