Ham Common Richmond TW10 A Three-bedroom house Two-bedroom apartment with terrace First floor with terrace One-bedroom apartment Four-bedroom three-storey house Ground floor with guest bedroom/study with balcony and terrace and terrace Two-bedroom apartment Two-bedroom apartment Second floor with terrace First floor with balcony Three-bedroom apartment Two-bedroom apartment Ground and first floor with study and terrace Second floor with balcony Two-bedroom three-storey house Two-bedroom apartment with study and two terraces Ground floor with terrace Two-bedroom house Three-bedroom apartment with Juliet balcony and terrace First floor with balcony Two-bedroom house Two-bedroom apartment with sun room, balcony, terrace and garden Second floor with roof terrace Two-bedroom apartment Ground floor with terrace Drawing is not to scale. Landscaping is indicative only. Introducing Orford Place, an exclusive collection of 23 elegant, new and beautifully-converted houses and apartments, set in three acres of mature, walled gardens. Enjoying a superb location fronting Ham Common, Orford Place offers a unique opportunity to secure a home with heritage, designed exclusively for the over 55s. Built in 1730, Orford House has been home to many notable residents including Francis Love Beckford, Sir Weldon-Dalrymple Champneys and Vice Admiral Sir John Sutton, Captain of the HMS Egmont during the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1945, the house was owned for a year by Lilian Maud Glen, wife of the 5th Duke of Wellington, before it became a school and, latterly, St Michael’s Convent. Beechcroft’s careful restoration and conversion has transformed the house and its outbuildings into nine homes including seven, luxurious, two and three-bedroom apartments and two spacious three-storey houses. Beechcroft has also created 14 brand new houses and apartments, designed to complement the original buildings. All the homes feature outside space – either a terrace, balcony, roof terrace or private garden. The fully-maintained communal walled gardens feature sweeping lawns, informal and formal planting, a kitchen garden, fruit trees and mature trees, including a 300-year old Mulberry. A home with heritage 1 View of Ham and Petersham, and the sweeping curve of the River Thames 2 1 Taking its name from the old English word ‘Hamme’ meaning a place in the bend of a river, Ham’s lands once stretched to the other side of what has become Richmond Park. From Richmond Hill, the spectacular view of Ham and Petersham, tucked in a sweeping curve of the River 2 Thames, has been protected by an Act of Parliament since 1902 – as have swathes of land along the river from Ham to Petersham. Today, locals and visitors alike enjoy Ham Lands, the communal riverside meadows which have become a nature reserve, and the 120 acres of grassland 3 and woodland on Ham Common. This abundance of green space and a sense of rural tranquillity make it difficult to believe that London’s West End is only 10 miles away. 4 Given the stunning location, it is hardly surprising that affluent members of society in the 17th and 18th centuries chose to build their grand houses here. Of these, the National Trust’s Ham House is the most spectacular, built in 1610 and virtually untouched for 400 years. In summer, it’s possible to travel by pedestrian ferry to Marble Hill House, 5 a Palladian villa in Twickenham. Also in Twickenham is Strawberry Hill House, a Gothic-style castle with fairy tale turrets set in beautiful gardens. The gardens of Hampton Court Palace, along the river, host musical events, a winter ice rink and a summer flower 1. Richmond Park show – and the Royal Botanic Gardens in The largest of London’s Royal Parks Kew, on the banks of the River Thames, was created by Charles I in the are a delight all year round. 17th century as a deer park 2. Tedding ton L ock Three locks with footbridge linking Ham with Teddington Rural tranquility and 3. Ham Lands A 72-hectare nature reserve lying a celebrated view in the bend of the River Thames between Richmond and Kingston 4. Marble Hill House Twickenham, Home of Henrietta Howard Countess of Suffolk and mistress of King George II 5. Ham House Built in 1610 but transformed by William Murray, childhood friend and advisor to King Charles I, who gifted him the lease in 1626 3 4 1 With its village common, ancient pond and historic 18th century inn, Ham Common has all the character, charm and appeal of a quintessential English village. At the heart of the village, the common is a place to walk and ride, a venue for the annual summer fair and the backdrop for cricket matches played at the 200-year old Ham and Petersham Cricket Club. A good selection of village shops supply 2 all the daily provisions you’ll need – along with artisan breads, cakes, pastries, cooked meats, delicious cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables, fine wines and hand-made chocolates. On Upper Ham Road, there’s a branch of Sainsbury’s and Ham Pantry delicatessen. If you want the taste of home-made food without 3 the fuss, a ‘Cook’ shop is located next door to the delicatessen and there’s a choice of fine wines on offer at Taylors wine merchant. For something a little different Ham Parade hosts a monthly market where you’ll find food and crafts. Ham village is also home to a local dental practice, 4 a medical surgery and an optician’s – and Richmond, with a host of shops and services, is less than two miles away. Meeting friends for morning coffee, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner? You won’t need to travel far. On Petersham Road, there’s the traditional home-cooked 5 food of The New Inn or The Dysart Arms. The casual glasshouse restaurant at Petersham Nurseries is renowned for its seasonal, Italian inspired food but, for a light lunch or coffee and cake, the Orangery Café at Ham House is ideal. Shop, eat out and relax into life on the Common 1. Ham and Petersham Cricket Club The 200 year old club play on Ham Common 2. The New Inn A traditional pub dating from 1786 3. Petersham Nurseries Famous for its food and supper clubs as much as its flora 4. A splendid place for dog walking 5. Ham Village local shops All the shops and services you’ll need on a daily basis 5 With a picturesque stretch of the River Thames on hand, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor sports – and to ‘mess about’ on the water. Richmond Bridge Boat Club attracts rowers of all ages but, if you don’t want to power your own boat, there’s the Richmond Yacht Club on Eel Pie Island. As one of the oldest motor cruising clubs on the River Thames, it offers a programme of events, on and off the water. For golfers, there’s a stunning parkland course at Richmond Golf Club, adjoining Richmond Park and Ham Common along with a club house, Sudbrook House, that’s one of the country’s finest examples of 18th century Palladian architecture. For a different perspective on Richmond Park and Ham Common, take to the saddle; Ham House Stables is just one of the local riding schools. If you’re more of a spectator when it comes to horses, there’s no better place to watch ‘The Sport of Kings’ than Ham Polo Club. There are so many ways of keeping fit in the area, whether you prefer to work out in a gym or fitness class – or just walk or ride around the park. The private Cedars Health & Leisure Club on Richmond Hill has a pool, gyms, fitness classes and health spa. The Pools on The Park in Richmond’s Old Deer Park is a local leisure complex with lido, indoor pool, spa and fitness centre. Wimbledon is within easy reach – but Ham and Petersham Lawn Tennis Club play on courts near Ham House and, in the summer, Richmond Lawn Tennis Club shares its ground, adjacent to Kew Gardens, with Richmond’s Archery and Cricket Club. Enjoy the local 1 2 sporting scene… 6 3 4 1. The River Thames 3. For keen golfers Enjoy watersports or Thameside Local golf clubs enjoy spectacular walks in Richmond parkland settings 2. Keeping active 4. Ham Polo Club Richmond offers a wealth of gyms One of the UK’s oldest polo clubs and health and fitness venues 7 In Richmond, it’s easy to relax into 1 4 the ‘café culture’ with gourmet coffees, specialist teas and organic juices on offer at an array of cafés and bars. If you’re lunching with friends or dining out, there’s a mouth-watering selection of places to eat and drink – from pavement cafés to fine dining experiences. Afternoon tea or early evening cocktail? Richmond has it all. In the heart of vibrant Richmond, designer brands and High Street names sit alongside a host of boutiques and independent retailers selling everything from clothing, jewellery and accessories to flowers, fabrics, homeware and furniture. For the weekly shop, there’s a branch of Waitrose. Richmond’s lively cultural calendar is perhaps the best on offer outside London. West End shows often preview at Richmond Theatre and The Orange 2 Tree Theatre with its seating ‘in the round’. One of Richmond’s three cinemas, The Curzon, received an LBC award for the ‘Best Neighbourhood Cinema’. For those who enjoy quiet pursuits, Richmond is home to several galleries, a museum and wonderful riverside walks. Café culture, fine dining and retail therapy 3 8 1.