Description
Twickenham was a medieval village around the parish church, and the first settlement here was probably opposite Eel Pie Island, later a favourite place for boating excursions. The old medieval parish church became neglected and the nave had collapsed by the time the current church was built in the early C18th. The church and churchyard are well above the level of the river, thereby protected from the high floods that continue to take place. The churchyard was extended over the years and has some fine tombs among grass with paths running through it and a number of mature trees, including yew.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Twickenham Parish Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | Church Street/Riverside, Twickenham |
| Postcode | TW1 |
| What3Words | ///river.oasis.echo |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Twickenham. Bus: 110, 267, 281, R70, R68, H22, 290, 490, 33 |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2014 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Although the C14th ragstone west tower remains from the medieval church the current building largely dates from 1714-15, when it was rebuilt to designs of John James at the instigation of the court painter Sir Godfrey Kneller, who lived in the locality and was a churchwarden at St Mary's. Inside the church are many fine monuments, including two monuments in the north gallery to Alexander Pope, who lived in Twickenham; one is by Francis Bird to Pope and his parents, and the other is an obelisk by Prince Hoare, erected by Bishop Warburton in 1761. Over the years the churchyard was enlarged a number of times; in 1585 ground was presented to the parish by Charles Duke of Somerset; in 1754 a further 389 feet were given by the Earl and Countess of Northumberland. In 1782 a new parish burial ground was opened at Holly Road, now Holly Road Garden of Rest (q.v.) and later when this itself was full in 1835, Oak Lane Cemetery (q.v.) was opened. A plaque on the external church wall commemorates the 'liberality of Miss Elizabeth Twining of Dial House' who was responsible for restoring the Almshouses for the Aged in 1876. Thomas Twining founder of Twinings Tea is also recognised with a plaque but was buried at Holly Road Burial Ground. Alexander Pope erected a stone plaque to his old nurse Mary Beach (d.1725) on the outer wall of the chancel. Between the churchyard and Riverside is the old glebe garden of the Vicars of Twickenham, now a Garden of Rest, part of which is consecrated for the burial of cremated remains, a pleasant rectangular garden with a raised rose beds, lawns and shrubberies, and numerous seats.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ164733 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.2983 |
| Site Ownership | Church (Diocese of London) |
| Site Management | LB Richmond, Environment Planning and Review, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1585 onwards |
| Designers | LB: Church: John James; churchyard wall |
| 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 | Twickenham Riverside |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Thames Policy Area |
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
Champions Wharf consists of a largely paved terrace with balustrade overlooking the river, with raised beds planted with heathers and shrubs. For a time it was laid out as a small sculpture court and known as Champions Wharf Sculpture Park, displaying abstract sculptures by Guy Rushworth-Harden and Mike Jensen, who were based at Eel Pie Island Boatyard. The garden was re-designed post 2015 and now reflects the proximity of Alexander Pope's villa, with a recreation of Pope's Urn and inscriptions with his quotations on benches. Adjacent to the garden is Champions Wharf Play Beach, laid out in 2013 with play features including a Viking Boat, a Wherry or Victorian Water Taxi and archaeological dig items from Twickenham Museum.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Manor of York was the property of the Crown from Henry VIII's reign and the land leased out from the mid C17th-mid C19th. York House was built in the C17th and by 1661 was one of the largest houses in Twickenham. Over the years it had various illustrious tenants. For a time part of its grounds were detached, but it was reassembled by James Whitchurch in 1746 since when the boundaries have remained virtually unchanged. By early C19th the grounds included a paddock, formal kitchen garden, lawn with gravelled terrace walk, an elm grove with serpentine walks, a small formal garden and many additional buildings and outhouses. When Indian industrialist Sir Ratan Tata bought the house in 1906 he substantially altered the gardens, including a sunken garden near the house and, near the river, a hedged formal garden with a substantial fountain of large female figures, and a Japanese garden. In 1924 York House was acquired by Twickenham UDC and converted for council use, the gardens becoming public open space in perpetuity.
The Manor of York was the property of the Crown from Henry VIII's reign and the land leased out from the mid C17th-mid C19th. York House was built in the C17th and by 1661 was one of the largest houses in Twickenham. Over the years it had various illustrious tenants. For a time part of its grounds were detached, but it was reassembled by James Whitchurch in 1746 since when the boundaries have remained virtually unchanged. By early C19th the grounds included a paddock, formal kitchen garden, lawn with gravelled terrace walk, an elm grove with serpentine walks, a small formal garden and many additional buildings and outhouses. When Indian industrialist Sir Ratan Tata bought the house in 1906 he substantially altered the gardens, including a sunken garden near the house and, near the river, a hedged formal garden with a substantial fountain of large female figures, and a Japanese garden. In 1924 York House was acquired by Twickenham UDC and converted for council use, the gardens becoming public open space in perpetuity.
Diamond Jubilee Gardens is a new public garden created on part of the former site of Twickenham Swimming Pool, which opened in 1935 in commemoration of the Jubilee of George V. The public swimming pool closed for repairs in 1981 but did not re-open and the site became derelict. Part of the land opened in 2005 as a public open space. Following public consultation the new riverside garden was created in 2012, renamed in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee; a black poplar was planted by HRH Princess Alexandra on 23 June 2012. The design of the garden recalls the former use with swimming lanes demarcated in the grass of the main lawn.