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Home , Richmond Palace, Richmond Park, Richmond Theatre, Twickenham Stadium

Breaking news at calgaryherald.com BEST of BRITAIN Saturday, May 19, 2012 I3 CITY MEETS COUNTRY Qua! a pint in posh Richmond Burrough lures harried urbanites for it parks, patios pubs and

JODY ROBBINS FOR THE CALGARY HERALD

ows meander in the fi elds, lazily munching on the Cmeadow, as small boats glide e! ortlessly past. A refresh- ing breeze wafts o! the cool waters, providing a much needed tonic to those sprawled across the wide expanses of grass, content to while away the day in this pastoral setting. Is this really , you wonder? Actually, this is Rich- mond. Courtesy, The Petersham An ancient borough in the far The view from Richmond Hill with the regal looking Petersham hotel in the foreground overlooking the . west-end, Richmond is a smart, stylish suburb fi lled with designer shops, posh pubs and former royal estates fl anking the Thames. It’s also the home of new royalty (a.k.a. celebrities) such as, Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall and Pete Townshend. With a thriving theatre scene and ample green space, including , it’s no wonder come the weekend, Londoners fl ock here, nursing pints at the many pubs, patios and gardens. If you’re in town for the Olym- pics, you just might want to es- cape to this relaxing retreat, too. Must-dos The high street o! ers ample op- portunity to stock up on designer duds, ranging from Margaret Howell to bespoke tailors to much Courtesy, The Petersham loved U.K. brands such as, Laura Even if The Petersham is too posh for your pocketbook, at the very Ashley, Ted Baker and Top Shop. least, pop in for its afternoon tea, fi t for royalty. Be sure to meander through the warren-like, cobblestone alley- for a Calgary tech company, Sarah world city, but Richmond feels ways fi lled with bookshops, mil- Rawlinson would make a beeline quintessentially English — like a Jody Robbins, for the Calgary Herald liners and sweet shops. for Richmond Park shortly after tourist imagines to be,” Cross the Richmond Bridge for a hearty Italian meal at A Cena. Or, remove yourself from the touching down. This vast National says Rawlinson, hustle and bustle of the high street Nature Reserve was an ideal safe Travelling with a sports fan? but prettiness comes at a price of costume jewelry-like chains. and head up Richmond Hill for running spot for her. It also has Catch a match with 82,000 other and you’ll pay more for the added Tucking into steak and chips at commanding views of the River two 18-hole golf courses plus fans at Stadium, the charm. La Buvette, you’d be forgiven if Thames and access to historic horseback riding, bike rentals and largest rugby arena in the U.K. and Bed down at the Bingham for a you thought you were at a smart Richmond Park. uninterrupted views of St. Paul’s home to the national team. You designer stay in a former Geor- Parisian bistro. While dishes are During her years spent com- Cathedral. can tour the stadium, peeking in- gian townhouse overlooking the predominantly French, borders are muting from Calgary to Richmond “In London, you could be in any side England’s dressing room and Thames. Within easy distance of occasionally stretched to include view the world’s largest collection the high street, this boutique hotel other Mediterranean infl uences. of rugby memorabilia. o! ers contemporary bedrooms Described by Vogue magazine East-elder Andrew Clark, makes along with in-room treatments. as “a tangly, yet ordered Edward- the trek to Richmond simply for Holding court atop Richmond ian walled garden of the kind you it’s theatre. Hill, The Petersham, with its see in the pages of Beatrix Potter,” “Too many west-end elegantly appointed rooms and Petersham Nurseries Cafe dishes are crazily expensive with no glorious views of Petersham up seasonal, organic fare for at all. is Meadows, makes you feel as likes of Madonna, Stella McCart- brilliant — great shows, big names though you’ve been transported ney and their broods. and plenty of leg room. And it’s on to a stately . Until the To get there, walk along the tow the green, next to a pub. Bonus!” end of June, celebrate the Queen’s path from Richmond Bridge, past diamond jubilee in style, sam- the infamous cows into a bucolic Sleep pling regal lunches and dinners garden setting, where mouth-wa- based upon recipes from the royal tering dishes miraculously appear Beyond a day visit, you can stay household. If you can’t a! ord to from the converted garden shed- in Richmond as a nightly retreat stay, at least pop in for afternoon cum-kitchen. from all the Olympic hullabaloo. tea, a feast fi t for a queen. Cross Richmond Bridge (the Situated across from Richmond oldest bridge on the Thames in Park, adjacent hotels, Richmond London) for a family style Italian Dan Kitwood, Getty Images Gate and Richmond Hill, o! er Nosh meal at A Cena. Stand-out dishes Fallow deer walk in Richmond Park west of London. Londoners head free access to Cedars, a high-end High rents in Richmond have include fusilli in a pomodoro to the western burrough for its greens spaces. private health club with swim- forced many independent restau- sauce, grilled sea bass and polenta ming pool (a rare fi nd for Lon- rants into neighbouring communi- fritta, cornmeal fritters dusted don). Richmond Gate has much ties. Fortunately, there are still a with fresh tomato, spring onions Richmond Park’s royal connection nicer rooms than Richmond Hill, few gems twinkling amid the glare and Parmesan.

Royal roots run deep in this a royal residence from 1299 until neck of the woods. Richmond it was sold by Commonwealth Park, the oldest of , Parliament in the 17th century. The dates back to King Edward in the was then demolished and SEPTEMBER 18 – 30, 2012 14th century. This former hunting its few remains have been made Exclusive 7 Night Luxury Cruise • Budapest to ground was enclosed by Charles I into a private residence, not open Europe + when he brought his entire court to the public. Traces, such as the to Richmond to escape the plague; remnants of the gatehouse, lay Sale EXCLUSIVE UNIQUE JOURNEYS 4 Night Prague Sightseeing Tour turning it into a park for his red and between the Thames and Rich- SAVE $100 PER PERSON on a fallow deer. mond Green. Street names, such European Vacation 10 days or longer* Cruise & Land: $4097 + $154 Port Tax Today, the open space still as Old Palace Lane and Old Palace serves as roaming ground for the Yard, attest to the existence of the Call Marlin Travel at 1-877-622-8014 Call Today - Limited Cabins Available monarch’s deer. Actively used by Palace. or visit www.marlintravel.ca the Tudors, was — Jody Robbins *For complete details visit www.marlintravel.ca. Marlin Travel is a division of Transat Distribution Canada Inc. ON Reg. #50015084, BC Reg. #23567. Head Of!ce: 191 The West Mall, Suite 710, Etobicoke, ON, M9C 5K8 CALSAE25326_1_1 Www.UniqueJourneys.ca If You Go Phone: 403-269-2122

CALCH077276_1_1 N Both Air Canada and British Airways fl y direct to London from several Canadian cities. N Take the tube to Richmond via ms Oosterdam the or the train from Waterloo Station via South West Trains. N Check Transport for London for live travel news and journey planning assistance: www.tfl .gov. uk. VANCOUVER TO SYDNEY N For an unhurried, scenic jour- ney, take a riverboat to Richmond CRUISE, HOTEL & AIR PACKAGE from central London: www.wpsa. 25 nights – September 30, 2012 co.uk. N For more information, visit the BALCONY Vancouver, Hilo, Honolulu, INSIDE following websites: * Samoa, Tonga, New * N www.visitrichmond.co.uk, Visit $ Caledonia (5 ports), Sydney $ Richmond CAD4349 374CAD9D N www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/ Amenities: $50 pp beverage card & Pinnacle Grill dinner richmond-park, Richmond Park Prices include roundtrip Calgary air, 3 nights N www.rfu.com/TwickenhamSta- (4 star) hotel, 22 night cruise & all taxes dium, N www.petershamhotel.co.uk, Pe- ASK ABOUT EXTENDING YOUR STAY IN tersham Hotel AUSTRALIAAND/ORNEWZEALAND! N www.akkeronhotels.com, Rich- CRUISEPLUSOFFERSBIGAGENCYDEALSWITHASMALLAGENCYFEEL! mond Gate and Richmond Hill Hotels N www.thebingham.co.uk, Bing- 1-800-854-9664 ham Alberta trip ideas, recipes, great offers www.cruiseplus.ca N www.petershamnurseries.com, and more. One of Canada’s Top Agencies for 13 years! Petersham Nurseries Cafe *New bookings only. Prices are per person based on 2 sharing and are subject to availability at the time of booking. Fuel surcharges (if reinstated by the cruise line) would be additional. PRICES IN- N www.labuvette.co.uk, La Bu- Visit travelalberta.com to read, download or order CLUDE TAXES - however, should the cruise or airlines increase them after booking, those increases would be additional. Ships registry: Netherlands. CruisePlus Management Ltd. BPCPA # 3325-0 vette your copy of Travel Alberta’s summer magazine today. CALSAE32367_1_1 N www.acena.co.uk, A Cena

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