Richmond vs Twickenham

Richmond and Twickenham are neighbouring towns on opposite sides of the Thames in the same borough, and both offer riverside living, green space and a settled, family-friendly atmosphere. Richmond is the more famous, expensive and connected of the two; Twickenham is quieter and better value.

Richmond scores higher for connectivity, with the District line, the Overground and fast South Western Railway trains to Waterloo. Twickenham has South Western Railway trains only, with slightly longer journeys and no tube. Richmond also has Richmond Park, Kew Gardens nearby and a larger town centre with a theatre and more restaurants.

Twickenham usually costs noticeably less, whether you want one bedroom or two. It has its own riverside charm, with Church Street, Eel Pie Island, Marble Hill Park and York House Gardens, and its homes often offer more space for the money, including Victorian terraces and interwar semis that rarely come up in Richmond at similar rents. Match days at Twickenham Stadium bring huge crowds, busy trains and road closures. Both towns are affected by aircraft approaching Heathrow on some days, depending on the wind.

Richmond's extras — the District line and Overground, Richmond Park, a bustling town centre and one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames — are worth the premium for many people. Twickenham is the better answer for those who want a quieter, more affordable riverside town with good schools and more space, and who are happy to commute by rail and live with the crowds on rugby match days.