England - Richmond-upon-Thames

Tired of the incessant buzz of traffic and humanity in the centre of London? Located further up the Thames and accessible by tube, Richmond offers a marvellous breather thanks to its immense royal park. This peaceful borough of Greater London, popular with artists and celebrities, is a good place for a day of relaxation. Wear a good pair of walking shoes, there's a lot to see!

Twenty minutes by tube from the centre of London, Richmond is a pleasant little leafy rural town set on the banks of the Thames. From its rich aristocratic past it has retained some Tudor-style vestiges, beautiful patrician residences and charm in abundance. Which is why it has always played host to royalty, artists and eminent figures, from Henry III to Virginia Woolf and Bertrand Russell. Today, numerous stars from the worlds of film, stage and music - Mick Jagger and Pete Townshend for starters - have settled on Richmond Hill to enjoy a magnificent view of the Thames. Its been painted time and again by Turner; the only view in the whole United Kingdom to be protected by an Act of Parliament!

Richmond's main attraction remains without any doubt its park, the oldest and largest royal park of the crown of England (1,000 hectares/2,470 acres). Add to that a few old pubs, interesting boutiques, footpaths and cycle tracks and the possibility of hiring a boat and you will realise that Richmond offers a wonderful bucolic daytrip far away from the bustle of London.

On leaving Richmond station (tube and train), turn left immediately into Kew Road. Before exploring Richmond Park, it's worth taking a stroll around the town centre and along the Thames. Rock fans can head straight to the Edwardspub (ex-Crawdaddy Club), where the Rolling Stones gave a few concerts in 1963. In the 1970s there was an embryonic rock scene in Richmond: the Twickenham studio of Pete Townshend of The Who attracted many fast-living musicians. The guitarist still lives at the top end of the town, in Richmond Hill.

Turn right into Duke Street. You are now facing Richmond Green, considered to be the most beautiful urban green in England. It was used as a jousting ground by the Tudors then as a cricket ground. Originally built in 1770 the Cricketers pub is a part of this sporting past. On the other side of Duke Street, the Victorian fa