The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames includes Richmond, Kew, Barnes, Ham, Sheen, Mortlake, Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton and Hampton. We think it's the greatest borough in Greater London. 

The name was 'created' in 1963, although interestingly Twickenham has twice the population of Richmond and is the home of the Borough Council offices for Richmond upon Thames - in York House (see below).

There are 405km of roads, 10.3km of riverbank, 517 hectares of parks and open spaces and 17,000 street trees to maintain in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames.  Every year the council deals with around 4,000 planning applications, and 1,900 building regulation applications involving over 12,000 inspections and 400 health and safety inspections!

For us Richmond Park is the greatest place to visit in Richmond upon Thames as well as being a national treasure!  2,500 acres of parkland with an incredible 300 red deer, 250 fallow deer and 1000 oak trees.  It's even a Special Area of Conservation for the Stag beetle.  During King Edward's reign (1272-1307) the Richmond Park area was known as the Manor of Sheen, and the name changed to Richmond Park during Henry VIII's reign.

There are over 100 parks and open spaces within the boundary of Richmond upon Thames and 21 miles (34 km) of river frontage - five times more green and open space than any other London borough.

Since 1965 York House has been the municipal offices of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, housing the Mayor's parlour, staff social club, Council chamber, committee rooms and two public halls. By 1990 most of the council staff had been transferred to a new Civic Centre next door, allowing major restoration and renovation work to be carried out in York House.