What if I told you that this green space has been a silent witness to centuries of royal history, sporting glory, and community life? That space is Richmond Green. Described as one of England’s most beautiful urban greens, Richmond Green has architectural, historical, and landscape significance.
Now, standing here on Richmond Green, it’s hard to believe that this tranquil space was once a stage for medieval jousting tournaments. English monarchs resided in Richmond, or visited what is now called Richmond, during that time. Imagine knights in shining armour, charging across the Green. The thunder of hooves. The clash of lances.
For over 400 years, houses and businesses were built around Richmond Green. They provided accommodation for people serving or visiting Richmond Palace. In 1625, King Charles I even moved his court here to escape the plague in London. By the early 18th century, Richmond Green became home to minor nobility, diplomats, and court hangers-on.
Take a look around. See the mix of period townhouses, historic buildings, and commercial establishments that frame Richmond Green and Little Green. Note Richmond Lending Library and Richmond Theatre too. The Green now forms the heart of The Richmond Green Conservation Area. It was designated back in 1969.
An elegant series of early-19th-century cast-iron bollards and rails once bounded all four sides of Richmond Green. They carried the monogram of King William IV. Sadly, most of these were removed for the War effort in 1940. They were later dumped in the Thames Estuary because they were unsuited for making steel. The Green is visually and historically poorer without these bollards and rails.
The south-western side of Richmond Green has remaining parts of King Henry VII’s rebuilding of the Palace of Shene. You will also see the well-known Maids of Honour Row from 1724, and other highly graded, historic listed houses dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
Notice the houses on the south-eastern sides of Richmond Green. They are mostly late-17th and 18th century. Old Palace Terrace is one of them. Many houses between Duke Street and Paved Court, known as Greenside, have long been in business use as offices. The Cricketers and Prince’s Head public houses are both historic.
The north-western side of Richmond Green comprises Pembroke Villas. These are five pairs of listed, semi-detached, mid-19th century houses. The northern part of the north-eastern side comprises Portland Villas. These are two pairs of listed, semi-detached, mid-19th century houses.
Cricket has been played on Richmond Green since the mid-18th century and continues today. The earliest reference to cricket on Richmond Green is from a letter in May 1666. Sir Robert Paston wrote to his wife mentioning that their son played in “a game of criquett (sic) on Richmond Green”. Richmond Green hosts the traditional May Fair.
Today, Richmond Green is home to two village cricket teams. They are affiliated with Richmond pubs, The Prince’s Head and The Cricketers.
The construction of the railway in the mid-19th century cut the Green off from Old Deer Park. The A316 road, built in the early 20th century, worsened this separation.
Even today, Richmond Green plays a starring role. The Green and Little Green have Georgian splendour, stately listed buildings and paved alleyways. That makes it a magnet for film crews. Richmond Green has featured in Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Simon Schama’s Power of Art and Peter Rabbit 2. The sports comedy TV series Ted Lasso is set in Richmond. Several filming sequences take place on The Green.
As you leave Richmond Green, remember that you’ve walked on a ground where royalty strolled, knights jousted, and villagers celebrated. It’s a space that embodies the rich history and enduring spirit of Richmond.