The suburban town of Twickenham is a rising area and has become one of the most desirable places to live in southwest London. This may be a little surprise for many people, but given its excellent transport links to central areas and a wide range of amenities, the recent popularity is only to be expected. The flux of new families and couples seeking a house in Twickenham is the inevitable result, showing how great this town is as a place to live.

1. What Makes Twickenham Unique?
2. Things To See In Twickenham
3. Nightlife In Twickenham
4. Sport In Twickenham
5. Food In Twickenham
6. Shopping In Twickenham
7. Culture and Entertainment In Twickenham
8. Cost of Living In Twickenham
9. Transportation In Twickenham
10. Explore The UK From Twickenham

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1. What Makes Twickenham Unique?

Rugby

Twickenham is where Rugby Football Union, the governing body of England's rugby union, is based. The England national team also plays their home matches at Twickenham Stadium, the biggest dedicated rugby stadium in the world. For English sports fans, Twickenham means rugby, and rugby means Twickenham.

Riverside beauty spots

This suburban town, which is bordered on the southern side by the River Thames, still retains its old village feel. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Twickenham was known as a fashionable resort spot, leading to the construction of many beautiful riverside mansions, houses, and gardens, many of which have been well preserved until today.

The UK's oldest Roman Catholic university

St Mary's University was founded in 1850, making it the oldest Roman Catholic university in the country. This institution guarantees on-campus accommodation for first-year international students to help them settle into London life.

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2. Things To See In Twickenham

Strawberry Hill House: a period mansion that was built in the 18th century and known for its all-white majestic look. The villa and gardens were opened to the public again in 2015.

Ham House: a 17th-century Jacobean house on the bank of the River Thames. The Nation Trust claims it to be "the most complete survival of 17th-century fashion and power".

Eel Pie Island: a small island in the Thames. Only accessible by footbridge or boat, the island is now home to small arts clubs and rowing clubs.

3. Nightlife In Twickenham

Twickenham has an incredible pub scene for a suburban town, with a lot of options for fine wines, cocktails, and excellent food. Nightlife venues in Twickenham come in all shapes and forms: from genuine gastropubs, rugby-themed pubs to traditional pubs with terraces that overlook the River Thames and even pubs with Belgian beer and moules-frites.

One of the locals' favourites is The Cabbage Patch, which this name because there was a cabbage patch where the Twickenham Stadium is now. Located on Whitton Road, just south of the stadium, The Cabbage Patch is usually full of rugby fans on match days thanks to its large beer garden and rugby-themed interior.

If finding an available table in this popular pub is too hard for you, The Shack 68 on the opposite side of the road is also a popular choice on match days, when it offers a solid selection of cocktails and excellent burgers. The Shack 68 also features regular live music when there is no rugby match taking place.

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The Bloomsbury is a solid suggestion for anyone, not just residents of Twickenham but also people living in surrounding areas. It's close to Strawberry Hill and provides plenty of drinks options (including several fine ales), handmade pizzas, a great Sunday roast, and outdoor seating options. The Brouge, a Belgian and British hybrid gastropub, is also nearby. It serves some of the best moules-frites you can find in London on top of excellent Belgian brews.

Head to the Barmy Arms opposite to the Eel Pie Island if a riverside pub is what you're craving. It's a lively waterside pub located within shouting distance of the Twickenham Stadium and offers a wide selection of craft and cask beers.

Go down a little further, and you will run to The White Swan, a historical pub that dates back to the 17th century. This traditional venue gets its appeal from the open fireplace in winter, a large beer garden and veranda in the sunnier months. Given its small size, its menu of beers is quite impressive. With several ciders, lagers on tap, and more than a dozen ales, and Pimm's during the winter, The White Swan is among the finest pubs in the region.

The Crown is set inland towards Richmond Road and serves some of the greatest pub food in Twickenham. This Georgian-era pub was reopened in 2013 with dedicated dishes on rugby match days on top of the regular menu that includes mains, starters, and sharing plates.

Photo credit: Twickenham Stadium

4. Sport In Twickenham

When you arrive at Twickenham train station, you will be greeted by a sign that reads "Home of England Rugby". This western London town is synonymous with rugby union as the headquarters of the Rugby Football Union and the largest dedicated rugby stadium in the world - the Twickenham Stadium - are both located here.

This stadium is also the home ground of the England national team, where it played its first match in 1910. Visitors can take part in behind-the-scenes tours at the Twickenham Stadium, including the World Rugby Museum in the East Stand.

This 82,000-capacity stadium also hosts rugby sevens matches, domestic and European fixtures, school and university finals, the Premiership Rugby final, charity events, and concerts. The ground provides many food and drink options while there are several pubs nearby that usually become crowded during match days. As high-profile games usually sell out fast, even months in advance, make sure to keep tracks of your favourite match and book ahead.

Photo credit: Twickenham Stadium

5. Food In Twickenham

Twickenham gives its residents a diverse selection when it comes to restaurants and cafes, including romantic dinners, all-day breakfasts, sumptuous cakes, artisan coffee, Sunday roasts, curries, cool cafes, and fresh sushi.

Masaniello is an Italian restaurant that leans on recipes and ingredients from Campania. Founded in 2009 on Church Street, this cosy restaurant offers some of the tastiest pizza in the whole region. Just take a short walk from the River Thames and Eel Pie Island, and you can get a bite of unique pizzas with oozing burrata served on top. If the weather permits, Masaniello also provides some street seating too.

As another bright spot in Twickenham's outstanding Mediterranean food scene, Pincho is a nearby venue that is best-known for its paella and tapas. This rustic restaurant is a great place to take some pictures for your Instagram, with its stylish food presentation, terracotta tiling, and old iron windows.

On the way to St Margarets is Le Salon Privé, a top-notch French restaurant. Customers will never be disappointed with its good-looking decor, thanks to the stained-glass windows, starched tablecloths, and simple white walls. This elegant atmosphere is complemented by all the spectacular food, such as the succulent mix of soufflé, scallops, and snails. The prices at Le Salon Privé are slightly higher than surrounding places, but they just reflect the top food quality this restaurant serves up.

Little Mumbai is the leading Indian cuisine venue in Twickenham. Located on Heath Road, the restaurant offers authentic traditional Indian dishes, including many Tandoori recipes and an impressive menu of wine, tonic, and gin.

Devoted fans of Japanese food or those who simply just want to try out something a little lighter can head to Ke Sushi, a Japanese restaurant on London Road that moved to Twickenham in 2013. It has notched up another success after the relocation thanks to its amazing teriyaki, maki, and of course, sushi at affordable prices. The place has takeaway options, including hotel delivery, while the in-place staff is friendly and attentive.

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6. Shopping In Twickenham

The town centre of Twickenham is tightly squeezed between nearby Kingston and Richmond, both of which are popular shopping destinations, so this unfortunate location turns out to be a great attraction for shoppers. Twickenham doesn't have a dedicated high street or a big shopping centre of its own, but residents can simply head to nearby areas to indulge themselves.

There are several streets crossing Twickenham's town centre before stretching into surrounding areas, such as Heath road, King Street, Church Street, Richmond Road, and London Road. They are the home of brands of M&S Simply Food, Iceland, Waitrose, and Sandys Fishmongers.

The Bentalls shopping centre is nearby in Kingston upon Thames. It was opened in 1992 and houses more than 70 stores spanning technology, food, home, beauty, and fashion. This list contains high-profile names such as Apple Store, WHSmith, Vodafone, Starbucks, and Gap.

This large mall is also known for its impressive features, such as the largest single truss escalator in the world and the central atrium, which is higher than the dome of St Paul's Cathedral or the nave of Westminster Abbey. When it was opened, the Bentall Centre was the first shopping mall in the country to enforce a no-smoking policy in the whole venue.

There are also several shops around the St Margarets station, both on St Margarets Road and Crown Road. They include many independent stores and high street names. Move a bit closer to the stadium, and we have the Ivybridge Retail Park, which features plenty of big-name brands like Asda, Sports Direct, and TK Maxx.

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7. Culture and Entertainment In Twickenham

Orleans House was a Palladian villa built in 1710 by John James, which now houses a public art gallery named Orleans House Gallery. This contains a breathtaking collection covering both local history and contemporary art, including prints, paintings, and photography. There is also a small cafe and shop in place for visitors.

Richmond Theatre is the primary theatre in Twickenham and also the whole borough. This Victorian venue was opened in 1899 with a performance of the comedy As You Like It. Since then, this impressive Grade II building, with its buff terracotta and red bricks, has hosted several plays, family shows, dance shows, and musicals. Richmond Theatre was designed by the renowned architect Frank Matcham and is now among the best-preserved Victorian venues in the capital. The place features more than 40 productions and welcomes more than 250,000 guests each year.

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Not only the home of England's rugby, but the Twickenham Stadium is also a regular name all year round among concert-goers with many big-name music events. Rihanna, Lady Gaga, U2, and The Rolling Stones are among the high-profile acts that have given this stadium a stop in their tours. The venue is one of the best places for live music events in London, thanks to its great transport link, huge capacity, and diverse food and drink options.

8. Cost of Living In Twickenham

Like neighbouring Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames, Twickenham is a highly desirable and expensive suburb in West London. According to Foxtons, the property prices in Twickenham are 11.5% higher than London's average. St Mary's University also suggests a high budget for their students, especially those wanting to live off-campus. The expected prices for leisure activities include:

• Restaurant dinner: £15-35
• A pint of beer: £2-6
• A glass of wine: £4-6
• Musical show tickets: £12-80
• All-day travel: £12.80
• A ride on the tube: £ 2.40
• A bus ticket: £1.50

Source: St Mary's University

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9. Transportation In Twickenham

Train

Residents of Twickenham benefit from four railway stations within the town's boundaries: Twickenham, Whitton, St Margarets, and Strawberry Hill, while Fulwell station is also nearby. All of them provide direct routes to Waterloo station in central London and connections to the Underground network.

Bus

There are a dozen bus routes served by London Buses and operated by London United, Abellio London, and Go-Ahead London. All but two routes serve King Street in Twickenham's town centre.

Air travel

The town is well-placed for both international and domestic flights. Heathrow Airport is just 7 miles away, which you can either travel by car for less than 30 minutes or reach by train from one of Twickenham's train stations.

10. Explore The UK From Twickenham

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Wakehurst Place

Wakehurst Place is a house and botanic garden owned by the National Trust in West Sussex. Also on the ground of the estate is the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest plant conservation programme in the world. All of them are open to visitors, who can get to see wonderful flowers and plants in beautiful manicured gardens.

Painshill

This is one of the finest examples of 18th-century English landscape parks. Located in Surrey near Cobham train station, Painshill allows visitors to wander around its vast vineyards and abandoned abbeys.

Guildford

The historic town of Guilford has deep Saxon roots and houses Surrey's only Norman castle that is directly located in a town centre. You can visit the Guildford Museum to learn more about its rich history before heading to Guildhall, a former courthouse that is now used for local events and ceremonies.