Greater London is more than the bustle of Oxford Street or the queues for the London Eye. It is also home to pockets of green, historic high streets, and riverfronts that feel more country weekend than global metropolis. Step a little away from the skyscrapers and you will find places where life moves at walking pace, where shopkeepers know their regulars, and where the air carries the scent of trees rather than traffic.
These are places where you can get lost in a park and find deer, where market squares have been trading for centuries, and where a pint in a riverside pub comes with the sound of rowers skimming past. Here are six of the best: Richmond, Greenwich, Kingston upon Thames, Hampstead, Wimbledon, and Chiswick.
Richmond
Richmond is the London equivalent of that person who looks effortlessly good in every photo. The Thames takes a leisurely curve here, flanked by Georgian terraces and a riverside path that seems purpose-built for aimless strolling. On a sunny day, you can watch paddleboarders sharing the water with swans, or simply claim a bench and let the view do all the work.
Richmond Park is a world of its own – 2,500 acres of rolling grassland, ancient oaks, and deer that wander about as if they own the place (which, to be fair, they probably do). The town centre has a mix of smart shops, cosy pubs, and enough coffee spots to keep you happily over-caffeinated.
It is hard to believe you are only a short train ride from Waterloo.
1. Wander through Richmond Park
London’s largest Royal Park is a world of its own. Home to free-roaming red and fallow deer, sweeping grasslands, and ancient oak trees, it’s the perfect place for a long walk, cycle, or picnic. Don’t miss King Henry’s Mound, where there’s a protected view straight to St Paul’s Cathedral, ten miles away.
2. Stroll the riverside and Richmond Green
The Thames at Richmond meanders past leafy towpaths, perfect for riverside walks or lazy pub stops. The nearby Richmond Green has been a village common since the Middle Ages and remains the perfect place to sit with fish and chips on a sunny day.
3. Explore the delights of Kew Gardens
Technically just next door in Kew, the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens are an easy walk or quick bus ride away. Explore exotic glasshouses, treetop walkways, and seasonal floral displays — it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason.
4. Discover historic Hampton Court Palace
A short boat trip or cycle along the river takes you to Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s grand Tudor residence. Wander the Tudor kitchens, baroque apartments, and lose yourself in the famous hedge maze. It’s one of London’s most atmospheric historic sites.
5. Catch a performance at Richmond Theatre
The beautifully restored Victorian Richmond Theatre is one of the UK’s finest. From big-name plays and comedy to ballet and opera, it’s a perfect way to round off a day in Richmond.
Greenwich
Greenwich wears its history proudly. The Cutty Sark, all gleaming masts and polished wood, stands as a reminder of Britain’s maritime heyday. The Old Royal Naval College is a masterpiece of baroque architecture, and the Painted Hall is so lavish you half expect to see someone dusting the gold leaf as you walk in.
Up the hill in Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory marks the Prime Meridian – you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere, though most visitors are really here for the view. From this spot, London stretches out in a panorama of domes, towers, and bridges, the river looping lazily through it all.
The covered market is a joy, full of artisan food stalls, antiques, and the occasional busker whose voice echoes off the old market hall walls.
1. Visit the Royal Observatory and stand on the Prime Meridian
Discover where East meets West at the historic Royal Observatory. You can straddle the Prime Meridian Line, explore fascinating timekeeping exhibits, and enjoy sweeping views across London from Greenwich Park.
2. Explore the Cutty Sark
Climb aboard the world’s last surviving tea clipper, once the fastest ship of its time. Today it’s a beautifully restored museum ship where you can walk beneath her gleaming copper alloy sheathed hull and learn about life at sea.
3. Wander Greenwich Park
One of London’s oldest royal parks, Greenwich Park is a gorgeous green escape. From its hilltop you’ll find one of the best views in the city: the classical architecture of the Old Royal Naval College set against the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
4. Admire the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College
Known as the “Sistine Chapel of the UK,” the Painted Hall is a masterpiece of baroque art. The vast ceiling and wall paintings depict a dramatic vision of British history and naval triumphs.
5. Browse Greenwich Market
Packed with independent traders, Greenwich Market is a lively spot for art, antiques, and handmade crafts. The food stalls are a highlight too, serving everything from world street food to local delicacies.
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston is where London meets royal history. It is said to be the coronation site of several Saxon kings, and the ancient coronation stone still sits proudly in the town centre. The market square has been in use since the Middle Ages, and it still hums with traders selling everything from fresh bread to flowers.
The riverside here is particularly inviting, lined with pubs and restaurants that spill out onto terraces in summer. You can hire a boat, take a river cruise, or just watch the rowers glide past while you work on a plate of fish and chips.
Kingston’s shopping is excellent, but it never loses its market-town feel, a rare balance for somewhere so close to central London.
1. Stroll through Richmond Park
London’s largest Royal Park is famous for its herds of free-roaming red and fallow deer, ancient oak trees, and wide-open spaces. Don’t miss the view from King Henry’s Mound, where you can see all the way to St Paul’s Cathedral.
2. Visit Kew Gardens
Just a short walk or bus ride from Richmond town centre, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore glasshouses like the Palm House, treetop walks, art exhibitions, and stunning seasonal displays.
3. Explore the riverside and Richmond Green
The Thames here is at its prettiest, with pubs, cafés, and leafy towpaths perfect for a relaxed stroll or boat trip. Nearby Richmond Green, once a jousting ground for Elizabethan royals, is now a favourite spot for picnics.
4. Discover Ham House and Garden
A beautifully preserved 17th-century mansion on the riverbank, Ham House is filled with period furnishings, art, and stories of intrigue. Its formal gardens are some of the finest in London.
5. Enjoy the view from Richmond Hill
The only view in England protected by an Act of Parliament, Richmond Hill’s panorama takes in the winding Thames, meadows, and woodland. It has inspired generations of painters and poets, and it’s still breathtaking today.
Hampstead
Hampstead feels like a village that accidentally got enveloped by the city but decided to keep doing its own thing. Narrow lanes wind past Georgian houses, small squares hide bookshops and cafés, and the air seems just that bit fresher than elsewhere in London.
The star here is Hampstead Heath, 800 acres of meadows, woodland, and ponds. You can climb Parliament Hill for one of the best views of the city, go for a wild swim, or just wander aimlessly until you forget there is a Tube station nearby.
Hampstead has long been a haunt for writers and artists, and it retains that creative, slightly bohemian feel. You may leave with a new favourite café and a very strong urge to move in.
1. Wander Hampstead Heath
One of London’s great wild green spaces, Hampstead Heath is all rolling meadows, ancient woodland, and big-sky views. Climb up to Parliament Hill for a sweeping panorama of the city skyline.
2. Take a dip in the Hampstead Ponds
The Heath’s swimming ponds are a London institution. Choose from the ladies’, men’s, or mixed ponds and enjoy an invigorating outdoor swim that feels worlds away from the bustle of the capital.
3. Visit Kenwood House
This stately home on the edge of the Heath houses a superb art collection, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Turner. The house is free to enter, and its landscaped gardens are perfect for a stroll.
4. Explore Hampstead’s village streets
Cobbled lanes, Georgian houses, and cosy pubs give Hampstead its village charm. Don’t miss Flask Walk with its boutiques and cafés, or hidden gems like Burgh House and its local history museum.
5. Step into literary history at Keats House
Romantic poet John Keats lived here from 1818 to 1820, and it’s where he wrote some of his most famous works. Today the house is a museum dedicated to his life and poetry, with tranquil gardens to sit and reflect.
Wimbledon
Wimbledon is, of course, world-famous for tennis, but it is more than strawberries and centre court. The village green and surrounding streets have a genteel air, with independent shops, pubs, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage if you happen to be here during certain events.
Wimbledon Common offers wide open spaces, woodland walks, and even a windmill – all a short stroll from the centre. In summer, it is dotted with picnics, joggers, and the occasional impromptu cricket match.
The mix of sporting prestige and laid-back village life is surprisingly harmonious, and it is possible to spend a day here without even glancing at a tennis ball.
1. Visit the All England Lawn Tennis Club & Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Step inside the world’s most famous tennis club, tour the grounds, and explore the museum with its fascinating collection of trophies, historic rackets, and interactive exhibits.
2. Explore Wimbledon Common
This vast green space of heath, woodland, and ponds is perfect for long walks, cycling, or a picnic. You’ll also find the charming Windmill Museum inside the 19th-century Wimbledon Windmill.
3. Wander Wimbledon Village
With its boutique shops, stylish cafés, and traditional pubs, Wimbledon Village feels more like a countryside market town than part of London. It’s a great spot for leisurely browsing and dining.
4. Discover Cannizaro Park
A hidden gem just off the Common, Cannizaro Park is a landscaped historic garden filled with ornamental ponds, sculptures, and exotic plants. It’s especially lovely in spring and summer.
5. Catch a show at New Wimbledon Theatre
An ornate Edwardian theatre with a packed calendar of musicals, plays, and comedy, the New Wimbledon Theatre is a local cultural gem and one of London’s most beautiful playhouses.
Chiswick
Chiswick is leafy, well-heeled, and quietly confident. The high street is lined with a mix of independent boutiques, food shops, and restaurants that range from cosy brunch spots to sleek dinner destinations. The Thames curves gracefully nearby, with pubs that have been serving riverside pints for centuries.
Chiswick House and Gardens is a gem; an 18th-century villa set in grounds that are a masterclass in landscaped elegance. You can wander among the formal gardens, admire the glasshouse, and then retire to the café for something restorative.
It is the kind of place where you might “pop out” for bread and come back two hours later having explored half a dozen side streets.
1. Explore Chiswick House and Gardens
This elegant 18th-century villa, designed by Lord Burlington, Chiswick House is one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian architecture in England. Its landscaped gardens are perfect for a peaceful wander among fountains, statues, and ancient trees.
2. Stroll along the Thames Path
The riverside in Chiswick is especially picturesque, with leafy walks, riverside pubs, and rowing boats gliding by. It’s a classic west London escape, particularly lovely at sunset.
3. Visit Hogarth’s House
Once home to the satirical artist William Hogarth, this small but fascinating museum showcases his prints and personal life. The garden, with its mulberry tree dating back to Hogarth’s time, adds extra charm.
4. Browse Chiswick High Road
Packed with independent boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, Chiswick High Road combines village atmosphere with a cosmopolitan feel. It’s a great place to shop, dine, or just watch the world go by.
5. Relax in Dukes Meadows and Chiswick Farmers’ Market
This riverside park has wide open spaces, sports facilities, and a playground, while the nearby Sunday food market offers artisan food, fresh produce, and street eats – a local favourite.
Why Greater London’s towns deserve more of your time
These six “towns” prove that Greater London is more than its famous landmarks. Richmond’s riverside elegance, Greenwich’s maritime history, Kingston’s market heritage, Hampstead’s creative charm, Wimbledon’s green-and-tennis mix, and Chiswick’s leafy grace all offer a slower, more personal take on the capital.
The best way to explore them is on foot, with plenty of pauses for coffee, cake, and the odd pint. Because sometimes the greatest surprises in London are not in the centre at all, but tucked away in the corners where life feels just that little bit gentler.
