Richmond borough crowned best place to live in London by The Sunday Times
By Tilly O'Brien 20th Mar 2026
Richmond borough has been crowned the best place to live in London by The Sunday Times in its 'Best Places to Live in the UK 2026' list.
The paper separates the list into sub-categories based on regions and each region has a regional winner – Richmond is the regional winner for London.
Other regions include the Southeast, East, Southwest, Midlands, Northwest, North and Northeast, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
So why did Richmond borough come on top in London?
The Sunday Times said: "It's the river, obviously. Or maybe the park. Either way, the gilet-clad residents of Richmond are spoilt for ways to enjoy a break from concrete and cars in this most serene corner of the capital. No wonder this is regularly voted the happiest borough in London.
"You can stroll beside Old Father Thames to Kew or Teddington Lock, or patrol the magnificent 2,500-acre royal park, keeping your eyes peeled for the resident red and fallow deer. A bit of aircraft noise — and you do get used to it — is a small price to pay for such riches."
The paper also praised the borough for its travel, mobile, and broadband connections.
It wrote: "At the heart of things is the Green, a picturesque backdrop for cricket, alfresco drinks and picnics.
"It's lined by grand Georgian rows, friendly hostelries and the elegant Richmond Theatre, where Jodie Comer recently trod the boards (shortly after Ian McKellen appeared at the nearby Orange Tree).
"Expect carousels, charity barbecues and a fiercely contested dog show at the Richmond Green May Fair, which kicks off with a black-tie ball that has raised more than £1 million for charities in the area.
"The high street has enjoyed fluctuating fortunes since the closure of House of Fraser, but the former store is now home to a Third Space gym and Lindt & Sprüngli's new UK HQ. Its ground-floor chocolate shop is taking on Hotel Chocolat, Venchi, Knoops and the independent Danieli's — a tasty retail offering.
"There's a spring in Richmond's food scene too.
"Already thrilled by the advent of Ottolenghi last February — more exciting than an Ivy, though Richmond has one of those too — foodie residents are in raptures about the wood-roasted turbot at the Tower House, a sister restaurant to London celebrity magnet Gold, with a splendid waterside terrace for soaking up the summer sun.
"Head up to the charming Roebuck pub to enjoy the sweeping Thames view immortalised by JMW Turner two centuries ago."
Moreover, the paper highlights Richmond's famous links, including celebrity residents David Attenborough and Richard Osman, and the fact that it is used as the setting for TV series Ted Lasso.
It says that the best address in Richmond borough is Grand terraces on Montague and Onslow Roads, up Richmond Hill, which cost £3.35 million to £7 million.
As per dining out options, The Sunday Times said: "For a special occasion, try the seafood platter at the opulent Scott's (as in of Mayfair) or a no-menu Venetian-style banquet at Al Boccon Di'Vino. The Michelin inspectors have given a Bib Gourmand to Mignonette's refined French food, a star to the Dysart Petersham's seasonal cuisine and a green star for sustainability to Petersham Nurseries, surely the world's most sophisticated garden centre. Ladies (and lads) who lunch can enjoy discounts with the MyRichmond LoveLocal Card."
Speaking about the borough's shopping scene, it wrote: "Indulge your appetites at the Good Wine Shop and Teddington Cheese, up Richmond Hill, and do your bit for the planet at the Source zero-waste store. There's a Waitrose near the station and M&S is expanding its food hall into the clothing aisles — more sourdough crackers, less undercrackers. Fashion fans can console themselves at MHL, Toast, Zadig & Voltaire, Reiss, Anthropologie and the newly opened Free People.
The paper also praised the borough's schools, saying: "Thomas's College is a new independent secondary from the prep-school chain whose alumni include Prince George and Princess Charlotte (from £32,601 a year).
"Two independent schools down the road in Twickenham make the top 200 in the Sunday Times Parent Power league tables, St Catherine's (girls; £24,984 a year) and Radnor House (from £28,752 a year).
"Local preps include King's House School (from £20,175 a year), Old Vicarage School (girls; £20,970 per year) and Radnor House Prep (£23,652 a year).
"Six state primaries make the Parent Power grade: the Russell, the Vineyard, St Elizabeth's RC, Marshgate, Holy Trinity CofE and Deer Park, which places in the top 50. The local state secondary, Christ's CofE, came 163rd in our league table, and nearby Kingston has two selective educational powerhouses, Tiffin Girls (5th) and Tiffin (boys; 11th)."
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