On the opposite bank of The
Thames, attractively connected
by Hammerton's passenger ferry,
lies Marble Hill House, elegant
Palladian villa built in 1720s by
Henrietta Howard, the beloved
mistress of King George II.
Kew Gardens, the world's first
and greatest botanic gardens,
originated in the late 17th century.
Princess Augusta and Lord Bute
established the site as the first
botanic gardens in 1759. Kew
Palace, the earliest surviving
building inside the Gardens, was
once home to King George III,
Augusta's son known as 'mad
King' due to a rare blood disorder,
porphyria, the symptoms of
which were tragically taken for
madness.
The world-famous Hampton Court
Palace, surrounded by amazing
gardens on the banks of the
River Thames, was the residence
of Henry VIII, Mary II and other
royals from around 1500 to the
first half of 18th century.
Ham House
kings
and
queens
For hundreds of years Richmond upon
Thames has been a favourite retreat of
the Royalty and has been associated
with the rich and famous from the
past and the present. There are many
magnificent historic buildings in and
around the borough to choose from
and be taken back in time to the Tudor,
Stuart or Georgian times.
A 20 minute walk along the river from
Richmond town centre will take you to
Ham House & Garden, an atmospheric
Stuart mansion from 1610. NT John Hammond
--- 4 - visitrichmond.co.uk