Richmond Hill, London facts for kids
Richmond Hill is a famous hill located in Richmond and Petersham, London. It starts gently in the north and north-east parts of Richmond town. The hill then goes through what used to be fields, orchards, and even a vineyard. It reaches a point just inside Richmond Park, which is a large deer park that was fenced off by King Charles I.
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What Makes Richmond Hill Special?
Richmond Hill is known for its incredible views. It offers the only view in England that is protected by a special law! This law, called the Richmond, Ham and Petersham Open Spaces Act, was passed in 1902. It helps protect the land on and below the hill, making sure the beautiful views to the west and south stay clear for everyone to enjoy.
Glover's Island: A Protected Spot
Two years before the law was passed, a local person bought a small, wooded island in the middle of the view. This island is called Glover's Island (or Clam Island). The owner then gave it to the local council, the Richmond Corporation. In return, the council promised never to build on the island. This helps keep the view just as it is.
Famous Artists and Inspiration
The stunning scenery of Richmond Hill has been painted by many famous artists. These include John Wootton, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and J. M. W. Turner. The famous writer Sir Walter Scott even called it "an unrivalled landscape," meaning it was a view like no other.
This view was so inspiring that it even led to the naming of Richmond, Virginia in the United States. The person who founded that city, William Byrd II, noticed that a bend in the James River there looked a lot like the curve of the Thames from Richmond Hill.
Exploring Terrace Gardens and Terrace Walk
You can enjoy the amazing view from a special path called Terrace Walk. This path was created in the 1700s near the top of the hill. Below the path are the lovely Terrace Gardens. Both Terrace Walk and Terrace Gardens are very important historical sites. They are listed as Grade II* in Historic England's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. This means they are considered places of special historical interest in England.
A Look at Richmond Hill's Past
As the town of Richmond grew after King Henry VII built Richmond Palace in the early 1500s, the hill became a popular place to live and do business. Many large, fancy homes were built there over the centuries. Some of these homes belonged to famous or important people. Even today, new homes and buildings are added, but they must fit in with the area's style. The area around Richmond Hill is a "conservation area," which means it's protected to keep its special character.
Some of the very first homes on Richmond Hill were set back in an area now called The Vineyard. These included Clarence House, Halford House, Michel's Almshouses, and Vineyard House. Richmond Hill shares its postcode, TW10, with nearby Ham and Petersham.
How Richmond Hill Got Its Name
The name "Richmond Hill" actually has a bit of a secret! The words "mond" and "hill" both mean a large hill. So, saying "Richmond Hill" is a bit like saying "Hill Hill." This comes from a place in France. The name "Richmond" became popular in England because of a noble title, the Lord of Richmond, which was connected to Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Later, King Henry VII held the title of Earl of Richmond. He built Richmond Palace to replace an older palace called Shene Palace. Because of this, the area around the palace started to be called Richmond too. For a while, people would even say "Shene otherwise called Richemount" to refer to the place.
Images for kids
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The south-westerly section of the view from Terrace Walk on Richmond Hill
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A small corner of the Terrace Gardens
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The former Royal Star and Garter Home for disabled ex-servicemen on top of the hill
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Robert Kirsch's memorial bench, Terrace Gardens
