5 Things to Do in Twickenham (From a Local), Twickenham, England

Most people associate one thing with Twickenham. Rugby. The area in the London borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames is indeed the home of England rugby with thousands of fans converging on the area during rugby matches. But there’s more to the area than just rugby. As someone who lives local to area, I can attest to that and would recommend it to those interested in exploring a historical but less hectic aspect of greater London (on days there isn’t a match on anyway). Twickenham was once a ‘country retreat’ for many rich politicians and aristocracy in the 18th century and as such is littered with a number of stately homes with large parks. Here are some of my picks for things to do in Twickenham which you could combine with a weekend of rugby or simply enjoy on their own.

If you are a rugby fan then a visit to the stadium is must. Built on a former cabbage patch which was bought for just £5,500 in 1907, it is now the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world seating 82,000 people. I have seen England play a few times there and it is a great event to witness (even better if England win!). There is always a great atmosphere and friendly crowds.

It can be difficult to get a ticket for international fixtures. Many are allocated to rugby clubs or sell out very quickly. If you register for an account on the RFU website, you can buy tickets when they are available. It is always worth enquiring at the ticket office for returns. Inevitably on match day you will see ticket touts about who you can purchase from at your own risk. Seeing the Rugby Sevens or one of the less popular matches is a more likely way to attend a match at late notice. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).