Day 5 - Richmond, England

Richmond is a borough in South West London.  It's a beautiful, historic town and one of London's most expensive places to live.  It's home to many attractions such as Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and Palace, National Trust Ham House and Gardens, and my favorite, Newens Maids of Honour Tea Room/Restaurant/Bakery.  Since 2020 it has become a destination for fans of the sports-comedy-drama TV series, Ted Lasso, which is filmed there and entering its 4th Season.

When my daughter and I visited in 2015 we went to Ham House & Gardens [built in 1610] and had Afternoon Tea at Maids of Honour Tea Room that has been in business for over 160 years. It was featured in Bruce Richardson's The Great Tea Rooms of Britain.

My youngest son is a fan of the Ted Lasso show [having been a football coach himself], so he asked if we'd go to Richmond and take pictures of some of the film locations for him.  He had a Ted Lasso jacket and visor that he loaned my hubby to wear in the pictures.  I've never watched the show, but it's about an American football coach hired to coach an English soccer team.

Having success with the Gloucester Rd. tube station the day before, we decided to give it another try and take the tube to Richmond, and we got there with no difficulty.

We passed the beautiful Richmond Theatre while walking to the pub used in the Ted Lasso show.

~ Richmond Green Park across the road from the pub ~

I saw a park bench that I couldn't resist taking a picture of.  It was given in memory of a deceased loved one and the tribute plaque was beautiful.  In addition to the plaque, the quote "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within" was engraved on the bench.

A kind father in Green Park with his young son graciously agreed to be our photographer.

The court in front of the 300-year-old pub, The Prince's Head.  In the Ted Lasso show it's called Crown & Anchor.  When we arrived the pub hadn't opened yet so there weren't a lot of people in the courtyard.  That all changed when it opened at noon.  People [tourists] were lined up to get in. 

~ Inside the Pub ~ 

Several Ted Lasso fans liked the jacket and visor Jerry was wearing and wanted to know where they could buy it. We could have easily sold it a couple of times because licensing prevents the sale of Lasso memorabilia in England.  A Ted Lasso fan from Texas [origionally Taiwan]  asked if she could have her picture taken with us.  ;-)

We ordered a Mango, Black Bean and Avocado Salad to eat before going back out in search of more Ted Lasso filming sites. Close to the pub is a narrow pedestrian lane called 'Paved Court' where Ted's TV flat is located.  In real life it's 11-A but in the show it's 9 1/2.  Any Tea Lasso fans among my readers?

Then we were off to Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and Palace.  Kew is a district in Richmond.  

The beautiful gardens are spread out over 300 acres.  

A few Kew Botanic Garden pictures which was founded in 1759 by King George III's mother, Princess Augusta.

~ Palm House ~

~ Water Tower beyond Palm House Pond ~

Hercules and Serpent Fountain in Palm House Pond with Botanical Cafe in the background [formerly Museum no. 1].

The Orangery entrance and exit with self-serve check-out counters inside.

The Orangery exterior.  

The interior is lovely, but the self-serve experience isn't as elegant as the Orangery at Kensington Palace. We got a cold beverage and an Apple Crumble Muffin.

~ Walkway to Kew Palace ~

Kew Palace is the smallest of all the royal palaces.  It was built in 1631 for a wealthy London silk merchant and was known as The Dutch House.  In 1729, King George II and Queen Caroline leased the palace as a private home away from public life.  In 1782 it was bought for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.  They, along with their 15 children, enjoyed it as a summer retreat.  King George III and Queen Charlotte were the grandparents of Queen Victoria.  She had the palace redecorated and opened it to the public in 1898.

The palace was closed for a 10-year restoration and was reopened to the public in 2006, following an 80th birthday dinner for Queen Elizabeth II, hosted by her son, Prince Charles. All three floors were open for touring, and the tour takes less than an hour. 

Photography was permitted inside the palace.  Bust of King George III pictured below, created by Madame Tussaud.

~ Portrait of Queen Charlotte ~

I took a lot of photos but will just share a few.  Tea service and tea caddy in Queen Charlotte's Drawing Room.   Queen Victoria's parents were married in this room.

Queen Charlotte's bedroom where she died in November 1818.   

Plaque in her room that reads:

This tablet is placed here by command of

Her Majesty Queen Victoria in memory of her grandmother

Her Majesty Queen Charlotte consort of

His Majesty King George III

She laid in state in the palace dining room [on the first floor] before being buried in St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.  Her husband, King George III, died at Windsor Castle in 1820.  

~ Garden Behind the Palace ~

We ran out of time and didn't get to see Queen Charlotte's Cottage or the Great Pagoda.  From Kew Gardens we had about a 10-minute walk to Newens Maids of Honour Tea Room.  We ordered a pot of tea, sausage roll and the legendary Maids of Honour pastry tarts.

Henry VIII was the first to use the name, Maids of Honour Tart, when he met Ann Boleyn and the other Maids of Honour eating the tarts from a silver dish.  He tasted one and was so delighted with them that he had the recipe kept secretly locked in an iron box in Richmond Palace.  By the early 18th century the recipe was disclosed to a bakery in Richmond.  Robert Newens did his apprenticeship in that bakery.  When he opened his own shop in 1850, he made and sold the pastry tarts.  Newens tea room/restaurant/bakery has remained family owned for several generations and the longstanding specialty 'Maids of Honour Tarts' are still served with the recipe remaining a closely guarded secret.

The puff pastry shells are said to be filled with sweetened milk curds or cheese curds.

From there we got on the tube for our ride back to Gloucester Station and our hotel.  It was a lovely day!

Next post: Covent Garden and St. Paul's Cathedral...