Sunday, September 26, 2010

Enjoy The Beautiful Richmond Upon Thames

By Bob Duke

Richmond Upon Thames is a great place to visit for anyone looking for a weekend of luxury and relaxation.

The surrounding area is picturesque and serene, including many different towns which all have their own unique character.

For an overnight stay, we recommend the Carlton Mitre Hotel. It has excellent views, an outside sun terrace and a restaurant that serves an exquisite modern European menu. In this area, it's one of the most accessible hotels that is the best placed to allow easy travel to all the great local landmarks.

The Carlton is just across the road from Hampton Court Palace which is one of the most impressive buildings in the UK and a must see attraction for anyone who's looking to stay in the region.

There is loads to see in the grounds of the palace, including the famous maze, and many beautiful gardens filled with flowers and fountains. You could even take a picnic to enjoy in one of the many open fields.

If you plan your visit carefully you might even be able to catch one of the many festivals and concerts occurring at Hampton Court. In the past the Palace Festival has attracted guests such as Simply Red and Tom Jones, but make sure you book tickets early as they do tend to sell out fast.

Alternatively, for those botanically inclined, the award winning Hampton Court Flower Show arrives every July. It's a world renowned exhibition and you'd be mad to miss it.

You could take advantage of the Palace's fantastic location just off the Rover Thames and enjoy a boat trip too, travelling along the river as far as Westminster Pier. If you have some experience you could stand at the helm yourself, or of course allow someone else to do the hard work for you. Along the way, make sure you stop at the Anglers Pub in Teddington: floating on an island in the middle of the river, it's a unique place to visit.

By now you've probably worked up a bit of an appetite, having seen the grounds of the Palace and had a trip down the river, but you'll be happy to hear that you're spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat in this area.

There's a lovely place called The Albany which is close to Hampton Court and sits just on the bank of the River Thames. It's beautiful location means you can sit and enjoy some great food and local ales and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

If you fancy sampling some fine cuisine and wines, however, head to its sister restaurant in Surbiton, Hart's Boatyard. This lovely place also provides some wonderful views along with a friendly, vibrant atmosphere.

This area really does give you the best of both worlds, as London is only a short trip away by train. This makes it a perfect location to set up camp if you're after a weekend exploring the capital too, so why not start planning your weekend today?

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