Description
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.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | The Riverside |
|---|---|
| Site location | Thames Path from Richmond Bridge/Petersham Road, Richmond |
| Postcode | TW10 6TS |
| What3Words | ///wiring.owners.basic |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Cafés |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (District): Richmond then bus. Bus: 65, 33, 190, 337, 371, 391, 419, H22, H37, R68, R70 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2015 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
These are a series of gardens on the Richmond side of the Thames, all accessed from the Thames Path and are situated between Richmond Bridge and Buccleuch Gardens (q.v.)
Adjacent to Richmond Bridge, Bridge House Gardens (0.51 hectares) has an upper terrace known as O'Higgins Square for the statue erected to Chilean freedom fighter General Bernardo O'Higgins (1778-1842) who lived and studied in Richmond in 1795-98; a plaque has the inscription: 'Chilean Statesman, Liberator of his Country'. This was created as a paved area with terraces to the river, with some ornamental /exotic planting. A café at the lower level under the arches of Richmond Bridge is shaded by two massive plane trees.
Mears Walk at Northumberland Place is a sloping terraced garden opposite Richmond Landing Stage and next to Canyon Restaurant, which has a Japanese style garden with a large plane tree, grass and trees, with a gate at the top leading to Petersham Road.
Midhurst Site is next to River Side Café snack bar, a series of 3 flat terraces with a semi-circular rose bed and shrubs planted at the upper level, walled all round, dilapidated, broken steps to each level, and disused old gate on Petersham Road, with garden long drop from road. Some trees including yew.
Riverdale Gardens (0.23 hectares) is a sloping lawn with some large trees including 2 cedars, a modern shelter on the riverside with plaque in the shelter erected in 1965 by G A Renton 'in memory of my mother Janet Alston Renton of Glasgow and East Sheen', designed by G S Weddle, borough engineer of Richmond. This garden has recently been refurbished with new seating and a footpath, and has an entrance on Petersham Road, with railings and steps.
Adjacent to Richmond Bridge, Bridge House Gardens (0.51 hectares) has an upper terrace known as O'Higgins Square for the statue erected to Chilean freedom fighter General Bernardo O'Higgins (1778-1842) who lived and studied in Richmond in 1795-98; a plaque has the inscription: 'Chilean Statesman, Liberator of his Country'. This was created as a paved area with terraces to the river, with some ornamental /exotic planting. A café at the lower level under the arches of Richmond Bridge is shaded by two massive plane trees.
Mears Walk at Northumberland Place is a sloping terraced garden opposite Richmond Landing Stage and next to Canyon Restaurant, which has a Japanese style garden with a large plane tree, grass and trees, with a gate at the top leading to Petersham Road.
Midhurst Site is next to River Side Café snack bar, a series of 3 flat terraces with a semi-circular rose bed and shrubs planted at the upper level, walled all round, dilapidated, broken steps to each level, and disused old gate on Petersham Road, with garden long drop from road. Some trees including yew.
Riverdale Gardens (0.23 hectares) is a sloping lawn with some large trees including 2 cedars, a modern shelter on the riverside with plaque in the shelter erected in 1965 by G A Renton 'in memory of my mother Janet Alston Renton of Glasgow and East Sheen', designed by G S Weddle, borough engineer of Richmond. This garden has recently been refurbished with new seating and a footpath, and has an entrance on Petersham Road, with railings and steps.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ178745 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Richmond |
| Site Management | Environment Planning & Review, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | Pre 1933 |
| 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 | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Thames Policy Area |
| Other LA Designation | Bridge Gardens and Midhurst: proposed areas of environmental improvement |
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
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.
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.
St Mary Magdalene is the old parish church of Richmond. A chapel existed here by 1220 when the parish was known as Shene, later renamed Richmond. The churchyard was enlarged on the west side in 1745, and in 1790 a new burial ground was consecrated nearby at Vineyard Passage. Among the important tombs in the churchyard is that of Sir Matthew Decker and his grandson Viscount Fitzwilliam who founded the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; and that of Sir Richard Levett of Kew whose estate became part of the Royal Gardens.