Named after The Hermitage, the large house on the corner of Church Terrace and Warrington Road, this was originally built as part of Church Terrace but was radically altered externally in about 1825. Since the owners of The Hermitage also owned the land on which the road was built, it seems clear why it was originally called Hermitage Road; it was renamed The Hermitage in 1930. It is just possible that Hermitage House recalls Queen Caroline’s little hermitage in Richmond Lodge Gardens; she used it to entertain artists and men of learning but like Richmond Lodge, it was pulled down by her grandson George III.
This short road is tucked away on the lower slopes of Richmond Hill between Halford Road and Hill Rise. It runs from Church Terrace close to St Mary Magdalene Church on Paradise Road up to The Vineyard. The majority of the properties on The Hermitage are elegant Victorian semi-detached villas of two styles and sizes with raised ground floors and off-street parking at the front. There are only 26 in total plus an interesting block of six Art Deco flats at the top end of the road adjacent to the Bishop Duppa’s Almshouses on The Vineyard. Richmond’s prosperity is reflected in the very large provision of almshouses in the town. The Bishop Duppa’s Almshouses were rebuilt in the ‘Jacobean’ style by architect Thomas Little. The old gateway and commemorative tablet are brought down from the hilltop site of the original almshouse and re-erected in the 1850s.
The Art Deco block of flats has a tranquil communal garden and dedicated off-street parking. The 10 semi detached villas on the West side, known as Hermitage Villas have four bedrooms and are laid out on four floors going into the eaves with lovely South-west facing gardens backing onto Patten Alley and the stunning grounds of Clarence House. The pale grey brick buildings are very pretty set off by bright white windows surrounds and the original front doors painted in a stunning palette of muted shades. The ten semi-detached houses on the other side are somewhat larger and grander, again with four bedrooms and laid out over four floors and with a creamy shade of brick. Some even have garages as well as off-street parking and a few have been converted into apartments. The gardens at the lower end back onto the glorious garden of Halford House.
At the Eastern end of The Hermitage, at the intersection with Church Terrace is Bethlehem Chapel built in 1797, plus Richmond Guitar Shop and ballet studio on Ormond Road.
Although the road is only moments away from the bustling town centre and the bus station, it’s incredibly peaceful with a real sense of community.
Average Property Prices: £1,502,000 (September 2021)
Local Knowledge & Neighbourhood Haunts:
The Hermitage is perfectly situated for all of the amenities of the town centre. The renowned Al Boccon Di’ Vino and the relative newcomer Diba Persian Restaurant are moments away as is Rincon Bar Espanol on the corner of Church Terrace with paella and live music. Turn right at the top end of the road onto Hill Rise and you’re spoilt for choice with great places to eat like Swagat Indian restaurant, enjoy a cup of coffee at Kapucin, Bhuti to practice yoga and enjoy a pint on a Summer’s evening by the boats outside The Victoria Inn.
The bus station just round the bend on the road on Church Terrace has routes to Petersham Ham, Kingston, Twickenham and Teddington in one direction and Sheen, Putney and Hammersmith in the other. Richmond train station is only a seven minutes stroll.
What the Neighbours Say:
“You can alway tell the local residents walking up and down the road, they don’t bother with the pavements because they know it is so quiet and traffic-free! Halford House offer out their gardens to the local residents for a Saturday in the Summer to organise a garden party and BBQ. A good way to meet local neighbours from The Hermitage, Vineyard, Warrington Road and Halford Road”. Humphrey
“The Hermitage is the perfect road! We are less than three minutes away from the high street, cinema and the river and less than ten from the train station, theatres and park. The road is small which means that we all know each other and so very friendly. We have an active WhatsApp group and neighbours who look out for each other. We had an outdoor party for VE Day and used our lockdown clapping sessions to catch up with each other and ensure that our more elderly neighbours were included. We range in age from very young to nearly 100… What’s not to love!” Bea
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