You’ve probably seen it in the background of a dozen period dramas without even realizing it. That perfectly manicured rectangle of grass, framed by red-brick Georgian houses and the white-on-black signs of old pubs. It’s Richmond on the Green—or just "The Green" if you’re a local—and honestly, it’s one of the few places in London that feels like a time capsule that actually works.
Most people stumble upon it after getting lost looking for the Riverside or while trying to find the "Ted Lasso" pub. But there is a lot more to this 12-acre space than just being a pretty backdrop for Hollywood.
The Jousting Matches You Missed
Before it was a spot for sunbathing and overpriced lattes, this was basically the Vegas of the Tudor era. In the Middle Ages, Richmond on the Green was a tournament ground. Think knights, heavy armor, and actual blood. It sat right next to Richmond Palace, which was the favorite haunt of Henry VII and Elizabeth I.
The palace is mostly gone now, dismantled after the Civil War, but the Gate House still stands. If you walk through it today, you’re literally walking where the Tudors walked. It’s weirdly quiet back there. You can still see the old "Wardrobe" buildings where they kept the royal clothes.
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Cricket, Riots, and 200 Guineas
Cricket has been played here since at least 1666. That is a ridiculously long time. In 1731, a match between a Richmond XI and the Duke of Richmond’s team ended in a full-blown riot. The stake was 200 guineas—which was a massive fortune back then—and players ended up with their shirts literally torn off their backs.
Nowadays, the drama is a bit lower-key. You’ll see local clubs like the ones affiliated with The Prince’s Head or The Cricketers playing on summer afternoons. If the sun is out, the atmosphere is peak England. People sit on the benches, dogs run off-leash (sometimes too much), and you can hear the "clack" of the bat from the other side of the square.
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Where the Screen Meets Reality
If you feel like you've been here before, it’s because you have. At least through a screen.
- Ted Lasso: The "Crown & Anchor" in the show is actually The Prince’s Head. It’s right on the corner of the Green.
- Sanditon: Much of the Regency-era street scenes were filmed around the houses bordering the Green.
- Poirot: David Suchet spent plenty of time strolling along these paths in his signature patent leather shoes.
The architecture here is so well-preserved that location scouts don't have to do much work. Maids of Honour Row, a line of four houses built in 1724 for the ladies-in-waiting of the Princess of Wales, looks exactly as it did three centuries ago.
The "Other" Richmonds
Just a quick heads-up: if you’re Googling "Richmond on the Green" and seeing stuff about Georgia or Virginia, you've gone off track. While Richmond, VA has a cool new community space called The Green at the Science Museum of Virginia, it's a totally different vibe involving native plants and urban heat mitigation.
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In Augusta, Georgia, there is a historic venue called The Richmond on Greene. It’s a banquet hall with a ballroom and a veranda. Great for a wedding, but you won't find any 17th-century cricket riots there.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
In a city that is constantly building glass skyscrapers, Richmond on the Green is a lung. It’s 4.8 hectares of open grassland that hasn't been turned into a luxury flat complex. That’s a miracle in London.
The 2026 season for local cricket is looking packed, with midweek T20 matches usually happening on Tuesdays or Thursdays. If you’re visiting, these are the best times to go because the crowds are thinner than on weekends, but the vibe is still very "village green."
Actionable Tips for Your Visit:
- Don't just stay on the grass. Walk through the Old Palace Yard. It’s tucked away and feels incredibly private, even though it’s public.
- Pick your pub wisely. The Cricketers has a better view of the match, but The Prince’s Head is the one for the Lasso fans.
- Check the Richmond Theatre schedule. It’s right on the edge of the Green. The building itself is a Victorian masterpiece designed by Frank Matcham.
- Avoid the midday weekend rush. If you want that "hidden gem" feeling, get there before 10:00 AM on a weekday. You’ll have the mist, the historic houses, and the silence all to yourself.
Richmond on the Green isn't just a park. It’s a survivor. From Tudor jousting to Apple TV+ film crews, it has managed to stay exactly what it needs to be: a place to breathe.