Description
Michel's Almshouses were established in 1695 by Humphrey Michel, the original block of 10 almshouses fronting The Vineyard. They were rebuilt in 1810/11 and are 2-storey, brick buildings with pitched slate roofs comprised of 2 ranges, with a central pediment over a slightly advanced centre with a cartouche containing a carved coat of arms above a large stone inscription. A later block of 6 additional almshouses was built at right angles in 1858-60, similar in appearance including the front wall, railings and entrance gates. The gardens to the front have trees, mixed shrub and flower borders and have won Gold in the Richmond in Bloom communal building category on a number of occasions.
Practical Information
| Site location | The Vineyard, Richmond |
|---|---|
| Postcode | TW10 |
| What3Words | ///maps.lots.comb |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for residents only |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (District): Richmond then bus. Bus: 33, 65, 337, 371, R70, R68 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In addition to owning property in The Vineyard, the Michel charity owned property in Maiden Lane, which now forms part of the Adelphi Theatre. On his uncle's death, John Michel gave another endowment to the charity, and in 1727 William Smithet bequeathed three houses and land in Kew Foot Road and Michel's Row, Rosedale Road and Benn's Cottages were built there. Six almshouses were built on the site of Benn's Cottages in 1983, known as Benn's Walk.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ180745 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | The Richmond Charities |
| Site Management | Contractor: Bridges Landscaping |
| Dates | 1695; 1811 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Michel's Almshouses, and front wall, railings and entrance gates |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Richmond |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Richmond Hill |
| Tree Preservation Order | To be checked |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Riverside Gardens, or The Riverside, are a series of gardens on the Richmond side of the Thames, all accessed from the Thames Path and situated between Richmond Bridge in the north and Buccleuch Gardens to the south. The Richmond Borough Byelaws of 1933 mention Bridge Gardens, Mears Walk and Riverdale Gardens as pleasure grounds.
Vineyard Passage Burial Ground was created as an extension to the Richmond parish churchyard of St Mary Magdalene. It was consecrated in 1790 and later enlarged in 1823. It includes table tombs, sarcophagi, an obelisk and a large Grecian tomb of T. Cundy, 1825, the architect of Pimlico and his family. There are also monuments to members of the French émigré community who settled in Richmond in the 1790s. The graves line a footpath leading up to The Vineyard, with the vault arches visible in the brick wall alongside the path. The area to the east is grassed with fewer trees, a low wall to the boundary and some seats. It was recently restored with funds donated by the MPGA.
Cambridge Gardens was laid out on the former grounds of Cambridge House, itself once part of a C17th riverside estate. In 1751 the house and parkland were purchased by Richard Owen Cambridge and was renamed Cambridge House after he died in 1802. The estate was later divided in 1835 when his son sold the main house and land to Henry Bevan who modernised the house, built a large conservatory and embellished the grounds. After Sir Edward Dean Paul inherited the estate he aggravated Twickenham Local Board by erecting railings each side of the towpath to prevent people crossing his lawns until an agreement of 1887 led to creation of a 12ft wide footpath, maintained by the Board.