Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
overlooking the river, while the
Cricketers
(
&
020/8940-4372
) and
Prince's
Head
(
&
0208/940-1572
) are classic British pubs on Richmond Green. The
Roe-
buck
(
&
020/8948-2329
) on Richmond Hill is a neat, dark, pub where you can
stand outside and enjoy sunsets over the river below, and the
Marlborough
(
&
0208/940-8513
), around the corner at 46 Friars Stile Rd., is a decent gastropub
(with excellent Young's beer) that looks unassuming from its small entrance but
spreads out into a huge, parklike garden.
Where to Eat & Stay
The Bingham
A delicious, heady combination of restaurant and hotel in two
Georgian townhouses by the river. The former, a vision in opulent white, has a
Michelin star, courtesy of chef Shay Cooper. It features striking dinners, with delights
such as roast halibut with parsnip remoulade, walnut gnocchi, lemon purée, and
black trompettes (set menu £45 for three courses; seven-course tasting menu £65);
set lunches (£23 for three courses); breakfasts; and afternoon tea with cucumber
sandwiches (£21).
Individually decorated rooms, some with river views, are cool and modern yet with
a hint of the 1930s about them. The private terrace and landscaped gardens add a
finishing touch of discreet luxury.
61-63 Petersham Rd., Richmond, Surrey TW10 6UT. www.thebingham.co.uk.
&
020/8940-0902.
15
units. £190-£265 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking (limited); otherwise £10.
Amenities:
Restaurant;
bar.
In room:
TV/DVD, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Richmond Hill Hotel
This is a boutique hotel, albeit with loads of rooms, with
views down across the meadows and the Thames winding away into the distance, in
one direction, and Richmond Park in the other. Rooms are in both a Georgian build-
ing and a modern wing (the former tend to be slightly larger), but all have a modern
touch. Suites have a mix of king-sized bed, balconies, and dressing rooms. The
Cedars health club is in the grounds and free for guests. The
Pembroke restaurant
(main courses £10-£20; set menu £19 for 2 courses) does sprightly, brasserie-style
versions of never-fail dishes (Thai chicken curry, fish and chips, grilled salmon).
144 Richmond Hill, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6RW. www.richmondhill-hotel.co.uk.
&
020/8940-2247.
Fax
020/8940-5424. 149 units. £101-£159 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar;
health club; room service.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free for 20 min. per day, then £4.95 for 1 hr.).
6
river
ROCKS
The area of southwest London and Sur-
rey was at the forefront of British rock
music, where London's response to the
Beatles was fermenting in the early
1960s. The Rolling Stones, The Yard-
birds, Downliners Sect, and other cult
names played here regularly. The old
clubs have gone but newer places fly
the flag. The
Eel Pie Club
(www.eel
pieclub.com) is a successor to the place
that existed on Eel Pie Island; it's at the
Cabbage Patch pub, 67 London Rd.,
Twickenham, across from the station,
and has shows by the Downliners and
other survivors. The
Boom Boom Club
(
020/8761-9078;
www.feenstra.co.uk),
a short drive from Kingston, in Sutton,
attracts the likes of the Zombies, Yard-
birds, and even Jefferson Starship to its
small, friendly home at Sutton United
Football Club, Gander Green Lane.
