Situated along River Thames in southwest London, Twickenham is a place often associated with English rugby. This is mainly because it’s the home of England’s Rugby Union and the iconic Twickenham Stadium. Perhaps what many don’t know about this riverside suburb is its interesting rich history, beautiful landscape, and a myriad of breathtaking attractions to explore. Not only is this hidden destination beautiful, but it is also a haven for any tourists looking for a fun-filled and interesting time on their holiday. Here, you can have lots of fun and creative activities to indulge in whether with your friends or even your loved ones. So, whether you’re a rugby fan or just want to enjoy the stunning riverside scenery, go on a shopping spree within the city center and enjoy a stroll around ancient mansions and gardens, Twickenham has you covered. Read on for the top 10 things to do in Twickenham during your visit.
1. Get on a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic rugby stadium and museum
A visit to Twickenham wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the world’s largest rugby stadium. With an amazing capacity of 82,000, the Twickenham Stadium is a sight undeniably worth a visit. This tour gives you the perfect chance to explore some of the stadium’s exclusive sections. Enjoy a seat in the England dressing room, glimpse at the royal box, check out the VIP parts for guests on match days, and catch spectacular panoramic views of the pitch from the top of a stand. Next, take a journey through rugby history at the World Rugby Museum. With the world’s largest collection of rugby history, you get to discover the true story of rugby in the entire world. Check out interactive galleries and exhibits of rugby, making it a must-visit for any rugby fanatic.
Twickenham Stadium and World Rugby Musuem
Address: Stadium, 200 Whitton Rd, Twickenham TW2 7BA, United Kingdom
Website: Twickenham Stadium and World Rugby Musuem
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
2. A memorable family day out at York House Gardens
A lovely mansion built in a lush park, this area has gorgeous gardens for you and your loved ones to enjoy. A 17th-century property, the York House Gardens, makes for a memorable sunny day out. The park boasts extensive rear grounds, with a lawn close to the riverside and the renovated Japanese lawn, providing you with plenty of options to loosen up. At the front location of the gardens, you’ll find a public parking space with a tennis court where you can enjoy a game with your family. The rear gardens are open every day to the general public and offer you a marvelous view of the beautiful River Thames. During summers, this magical and beautiful garden offers the perfect spot to have a nice and relaxing family picnic or enjoy summer open-air plays.
York House Gardens
Address: Sion Rd, Twickenham TW1 3DD, United Kingdom
Website: York House Gardens
Opening hours:Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
3. Admire diverse art collections in a relaxing atmosphere
Another popular tourist spot in Twickenham, the Orleans House Gallery is a unique local gallery with an interior design dating back to the 18th century. It features a superb little café where you can have a quick bite, fun sports activities memorabilia, an art gallery, and holds countless exhibitions. It has an outstanding Baroque Octagonal room, designed by the renowned architect James Gibbs. This sought-after enchantment even features a beautiful garden area, and usually, it is a great spot for a relaxing afternoon exploring a variety of eclectic art collections. It’s free to enter with a restaurant within the stables.
Orleans House Gallery
Address: Riverside, Twickenham TW1 3DJ, United Kingdom
Website: Orleans House Gallery
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
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4. Experience one of London’s royal sights
Designed in an incredibly gothic style, Strawberry Hill House is a sight to behold inside and out. Once on the inside, you’ll find a superbly adorned and magically lit interior with a unique series of renaissance glass and gothic aesthetics. With eccentric interiors dating back to the 18th century, the residence is amazingly pleasing to the eye. Discover a royal bed chamber which was never slept in. Get lost in hallways that were purposely left dark to emulate a medieval atmosphere of doom and gloom. The residence overlooks a gorgeous garden, where you can enjoy a calming stroll and have some food at the café.
Strawberry Hill House & Garden
Address: 268 Waldegrave Rd, Twickenham TW1 4ST, United Kingdom
Website: Strawberry Hill House & Garden
Opening hours: Sun - Wed & Fri: 11am - 4pm; Thu:7am - 9pm (closed on Sat)
Price: 12 USD
5. Explore the iconic Eel Pie Island Museum
Conveniently accessible by footbridge, The Eel Pie Island Museum is a favorite destination for many locals as well as foreign tourists. Discover the role played by the Eel Pie Hotel during the 1960s British Blues scene. Here, you’ll also get to know how this island contributed to the discovery of some of the renowned music superstars such as Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones. The Eel Pie Island Museum brings this tremendous history to existence. Visit and discover just what this charming island in the heart of Twickenham has in store in terms of musical and river-associated heritage and the creative, resourceful nature of lots of its inhabitants.
The Eel Pie Island Museum
Address: 1-3, Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 3AB, United Kingdom
Website: The Eel Pie Island Museum
Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Mon, Tue & Wed)
6. Discover innovative structural engineering
Twickenham Bridge has a remarkable constructional interest because it’s the UK’s first large concrete bridge constructed on the three-pin principle. One of the bridge’s most distinguishing visible features is the ornamental bronze cover plates, accomplished in Art Deco design, that emphasize the three structural hinges at the crowns and springing of every arch. By drawing interest to those hinges, the architect, Maxwell Ayrton gave prominence to the bridge’s technical virtuosity because the first huge three-hinged concrete arch bridge to be constructed inside the United Kingdom. As such, it’s a fine exposition of the intersection of structural and architectural engineering. Walk across the bridge and catch beautiful views of Richmond and the River Thames.
Twickenham Bridge
Address: Twickenham Rd, Richmond, Twickenham TW1 1SD, United Kingdom
7. Enjoy a summer Shakespeare performance made by wonderful actors
Located a few steps from the River Thames, Mary Wallace Theatre is a lovely little theatre with comfortable seating and a decent size stage. This is a must-visit place especially if you are a Shakespeare fanatic or a casual theatre-goer as the theatre offers several fantastic shows each season. Just in front of the theatre, there is a small foyer area with a nice bar where you can enjoy a few pre-show drinks before heading in for the ultimate theatre experience. Inside, you’ll get to watch great performances from actors in an intimate setting. There is a myriad of nice restaurants within walking distance where you can have a tasty dinner.
The Mary Wallace Theatre
Address: The Mary Wallace Theatre, The Embankment, Twickenham TW1 3DU, United Kingdom
Website: The Mary Wallace Theatre
8. Discover interesting memorabilia of Twickenham
Situated close to River Thames, this small charming museum in an ancient house has some amazing displays and exhibitions about Twickenham’s history, giving information about Eel Pie and its famous musical past. The theatre holds up to eight full-scale shows comprising a lavish outdoor play in the summer. Here, you’ll experience startling revelations of the town’s past over the decades. Displays are changed regularly, so you’ll always find something new to learn or discover the local area whenever you visit. The ancient Georgian house itself is also worth seeing. This lovely theatre is easily accessible by bus, train, or tube.
The Twickenham Museum
Address:25 The Embankment, Twickenham TW1 3DU, United Kingdom
Website: The Twickenham Museum
Opening hours: Tue & Sat: 11am - 3pm; Sun: 2pm - 4pm (closed on Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri)
9. Marvel at the Palladian villa’s unique ambience and architecture
Set on a perfect location in close proximity to Orleans House, Marble Hill House treats you to a fascinating blend of impressive Palladian architecture with mahogany, chinoiserie, superbly carved woodwork, the royal Hanoverian values and the strong resilient character and lives of the mistresses. In the dining parlor, you’ll find gorgeous hand-crafted Chinese wallpaper and the stunning Henrietta’s classic portrait. There are ample parking areas and an extensive riverside walk where you can stroll exploring the beautiful area across the Thames. There is a small restaurant in the stables where you can pop in for a quick bite.
Marble Hill House
Address: Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 2NL, United Kingdom
Website: Marble Hill House
10. Discover a fascinating side of Turner’s life and art
Built-in 1813, Turner’s house used to be a getaway home for one of England’s greatest painters from the pressures of the art world in London. A visit to this house gives you a glimpse into Turner’s fascinating life and art history. Here, you’ll get to learn more about Turner’s life in Twickenham and how the local landscape and gorgeous features inspired him to create one of his all-time best artworks. You also get to marvel at the collection of beautiful landscape paintings done by Turner.
Turner's House (Sandycombe Lodge)
Address: 40 Sandycoombe Rd, St Margarets, Twickenham TW1 2LR, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: From 4 USD
Discover all that Twickenham has to offer
Beyond rugby, Twickenham has plenty of fun and exciting things to do and places to explore for visitors of all ages. No matter which activity you choose to experience, you’re assured a fantastic visit to Twickenham. All these places are in an excellent location that’s easy to access and experience all the suburb has to offer.
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