Description
St Peter's Church has a picturesque setting from where footpaths lead across farmland to Petersham Meadows. The walled churchyard has some fine trees and numerous gravestones and chest-tombs including that of Lord Buccleuch and the simple tomb of Captain George Vancouver (d.1798) of the Royal Navy, an explorer who discovered the island off the west coast of Canada that is named after him. Others buried here include Revd. Albert Henry Scott, (d.1864), whose carved granite tomb was designed by his father the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott who lived at the Manor House in Ham. The entrance to the churchyard has a metal arch with lamp erected in 1997 in memory of Murray and Clare Vines, from where a herringbone brick path leads to the church.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Petersham Parish Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | off Petersham Road |
| Postcode | TW10 7AB |
| What3Words | ///salsa.sport.exams |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (District): Richmond then bus. Bus: 65, 371 |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
A tiny church 'of uncommon charm' (Pevsner), St Peter's is on the site of a Norman church of which traces remain. It has a late C13th chancel and otherwise was rebuilt in the early C16th, with tower and transepts added in the early C17th. The building was extended in later years, with the nave and west tower with battlements and octagonal lantern added in 1790 and further enlargements made in 1840. The interior is 'the most atmospheric Georgian village church interior' (Pevsner) including box pews, galleries and two-decker pulpit. Captain George Vancouver settled in Petersham on his return from travelling and lived in The Glen, a cottage in River Lane, where he wrote 'Voyage of Discovery'. A tablet on his grave records that it was restored 'by the native sons of British Columbia, Post No. 2 (Canada). Maintained by the late Major J S Matthews and the City of Vancouver B.C. (Canada)'.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ181733 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Church |
| Site Management | Church |
| Dates | C13th |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: Church |
| 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 | Petersham |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | 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
Petersham Common slopes steeply down to the west towards Petersham Meadows and the River Thames. Formerly land within the manor of Petersham long held by the Earls of Dysart, in 1902 the freehold of Petersham Common was transferred to Richmond Town Council, under the Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act 1902. The 9th Earl of Dysart specified that it was to be managed by Petersham Common Conservators, and this continues to be the case. The common is now conserved woodland.
Petersham Meadows lie alongside the river and form a continuation of Buccleuch Gardens. They are an important part of the riverscape between Richmond and Teddington, and the view of Petersham Meadows has been famous for centuries, praised by Turner and Joshua Reynolds among many others. Cattle have grazed here in the summer for between 300 and 400 years but when the dairy company gave up ownership of the herd in the 1990s, the herd's presence was threatened, and the meadows themselves needed protection from development. In 2001 local residents came together to form the Petersham Trust under the chairmanship of long-distance runner Chris Brasher, founder of the London Marathon, and took on a 125-year lease from Richmond Council for an annual 'rent' of one bunch of wild flowers to be presented on 26 June, St Peter's Day. The meadows are now leased to the National Trust.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
In medieval times this was common land in the royal manor known as Hill Common, even then renowned for its views. There was a seat overlooking the view by the mid C17th and Richmond Terrace Walk was laid out c.1700. Between 1765-75 the top of the hill was developed further and in the 1770s the Terrace Walk was extended. From the early C17th there were brickworks below Terrace Walk. When they closed in 1767 part of the north-west area was taken for private gardens, but the local vestry successfully petitioned King George III to prevent development on the remainder and 3.65 hectares of grazed meadow were given as part of the royal bounty, and became known as Terrace Field. In 1902, an Act of Parliament preserved the view from Richmond Hill.
In medieval times this was common land in the royal manor known as Hill Common, even then renowned for its views. There was a seat overlooking the view by the mid C17th and Richmond Terrace Walk was laid out c.1700. Between 1765-75 the top of the hill was developed further and in the 1770s the Terrace Walk was extended. From the early C17th there were brickworks below Terrace Walk. When they closed in 1767 part of the north-west area was taken for private gardens, but the local vestry successfully petitioned King George III to prevent development on the remainder and 3.65 hectares of grazed meadow were given as part of the royal bounty, and became known as Terrace Field. In 1902, an Act of Parliament preserved the view from Richmond Hill.