fish

We have the opportunity to be in a house in Kew for 3 weeks in August. Any thoughts?

vnh

Just had to reply, albeit briefly as I grew up in Richmond and often used to hang around in Kew. Kew is a really nice part of London, as is Richmond and would certainly come pretty much high up on many people's areas of choice.
There is good transport on the district line and of course, Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and easy access to Hampton Court as well as going into the centre of London in the other area.
There are affluent suburbs and there is a small village-type town centre in Kew which has some lovely little bars/pubs and Richmond is a bit livelier and has a nice selection of shops and is, of course, by the river.
Richmond Park is very expansive and host to all range of projects and opportunities. There are some stables there and the deer roam free. You have to be careful of the deer sometimes too because they can be quite dangerous in rutting season but there is also the Isabella Plantation which is a lovely landscaped garden area in the middle of the park. There is the old White Palace in the centre of the park too which is now used as a school by the Royal Ballet.
I don't really know what else to say although I could go on and on but suffice to say that I think you couldn't fail but be impressed by the area and what is available. I didn't even mention Kew Gardens!
The only downside I can possibly think of is the aircraft noise - Kew and Richmond are in the flight path of Heathrow - however this issue has improved no end since the end of the Concorde flights. It may still be an annoyance but night flights are regulated so at worst it will only be through the day.
Anything else more specific and perhaps I can provide more info!

Kate

Richmond/Kew is very affluent, picturesque area of London (well, Surry really, but who's counting). I would love to live there, but I need to win the lottery first. It's very popular with wealthy London commuters, and there are numerous transport links into Central London (1/2hr into Waterloo).

At the weekends, when the sun is shining, Londoners flock to Richmond for its laidback atmosphere, parkland, riverside pubs and shopping. Kew is obviously home to the glorious Kew Gardens - one of the world's finest horticultural gardens, with victorian glass hot houses and vast parkland for picnics.

I think it sounds like a wonderful opportunity, especially as you have 3 weeks - much nicer than being stuck in The Smoke for that length of time.

I say go for it!

m_kingdom2

Not the ideal location for one without a car, or indeed one with a car (lots of traffic to get into London), however, you present it as a free opportunity, so you mustn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

I'd never live in Richmond, it's too small, too Surrey, and I really don't like the type of people who live there, it's a subtle loathing rather than a full blown hatred. If it's free take it, it's a pleasant enough area, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Kate

"Not the ideal location for one without a car"

Stuff and nonsense, it couldn't be easier to get into London by train and tube.

And you could always hire a car if you want to take drives out south west to see some English countryside. It's an easy drive from Kew down to The New Forest and the south coast.

willit

I lived in Richmond for 4 months, and agree about not needing a car. Easy access to Waterloo for South and South west of England. Not too far from Central London
Good selection of pubs and restaurants.

I can think of few areas of London that I'd rather stay in.

flanneruk

However delightful for some, Kew is still a suburb, even if it has some of the prettiest buildings in suburbia. Even in August, when most of the natives are in Umbria or the Dordogne, getting to and from central London is unpleasant in the rush hours - and the delights of the gardens aren't going to keep you for in Kew for the whole three weeks.

If your idea of a good time involves bopping till the wee hours (or even seeing a decent play, followed by a good meal), getting home from central London can be tricky (night buses take forever, and cab drivers rarely want to take you that far out). The Gardens apart, the immediate vicinity of Kew offers a couple of decent eateries, but is close to a complete desert if you're looking for theatres, concerts, bars, museums or any of the other things that make cities habitable. And, like all suburbs, your house might be 100 yards from the tube. Or it might be a long and tedious walk: fine on a brisk, dry day, but a real pain if you've got shopping, or if it's hot or wet (I've never seen cabs waiting outside Kew station, but maybe that's just me).

The planes really are a nuisance: Heathrow's definition of "night flights" isn't mine, and those 0445 arrivals from the Far East are just as noisy as arrivals in mid-morning - and almost all fly straight overhead Kew until somewhere round 2230. BAA, the airport operator, is clearly playing fast and loose with its promises to give residents a good night's sleep.

If you have got a car, be aware that the Royal Parks people have got into marketing in a big way. Attendances at the Gardens are rocketing - with all kinds of evening events - and those visitors are making it increasingly tough for residents to park, especially round the Green.

It's a great place to bring up a family or to visit for the day. Personally, I wouldn't live there if you paid me.

david_west

Kew village itself is very small and full of not-very-practical shops. However you have Richmond on our doorstep for all your practical needs.

Kew is very pretty (and I wouldn't mind living there - but that's going to require a lottery win, or hitherto unknown millionaire uncle popping his clogs).

The general area is very pretty and very affluent, and you are linked by over and underground trains to the city - where you will have access to all the theatres, restaurants etc. The last trains are around 12.15 I think - so unless you're a night owl you'll be fine.

If you are a night owl richmond has many nightclubs (if you don't mind being surrounded by floppy-haired minor public school tossers and their horse-faced bints).

In short - you could do a LOT worse.

Tallulah

Kew is a lovely place, Richmond is great and you're only about half an hour from central London. I'd say that you'd be an absolute fool if you didn't take it.

As well as London, hire a car and you have the perfect base to explore places like Oxford, Bath etc...

carolyn

The Maids of Honour tearoom is located across the street from Kew Gardens. It is reputed to have been in business since the time of Henry VIII. It's quite charming and the food is good. Don't miss it.