Transport for LondonGetting to the end of the line
Take Richmond, the last stop on one branch of the District line which extended to the southwestern suburbs in 1877.
Twentyone miles of Thames riverbank lies within this borough's boundaries, in addition to Richmond Park, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with herds of deer and Royal connections dating back to the 13th century.
According to novelist and historian Peter Ackroyd, Richmond as a place didn't exist until Henry VII, first of the Tudor monarchs, named it after his Yorkshire earldom in the late 15th century.
Before that, the area was known as Sheen and a medieval palace once stood where Richmond Green is today.
The Thames-side landscape was laid out in the 18th century in Arcadian style with vistas of aristocratic mansions, leafy avenues, parks, gardens, woods and meadows.
In time, as London's suburbs began to encroach, it was threatened by developers, and at the turn of the 20th century, became the focus of what must be one of London's first-ever public envronmental campaigns.
It was known as the 'Indignation' and resulted in the 1902 Richmond, Ham and Petersham Open Spaces Act, protecting the view from Richmond Hill.
Today, the same view and the riverscape is at the heart of the £3.3million Arcadia project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The area has the highest concentration of historic buildings, landscaped gardens and river views in the country.
As a result, 122 separate projects are planned to conserve the towpath and wildlife habitats.
Volunteers are welcome to help with this conservation work - enthusiasm and a stout pair of wellies are all that's required.
For details, contact www.londons-arcadia.org.uk.
You can enjoy walking, jogging or cycling on the towpath and in the parks as both Richmond and Bushy park, south of the river, have bridleways.
To find out more about the area's organised walks call 020 8546 3109.
If you walk to the top of King Henry VIII's Mound, the highest point in Richmond park, you can see St Paul's Cathedral.
Richmond is also the home of the Royal British Legion Poppy factory, which employs 50 people, many of them disabled, making 32 million poppies and 80,000 poppy wreaths a year for Remembrance Day.
As Richmond is the only London borough with two Thames banks, there are lots of riverside activities where the boat-builders used to be.
Alternatively, just wander through Richmond's town centre lanes including Paved Court, Golden Court and Brewer's Lane, with unusual shops and cafés and places to browse.
Go to tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner to find the best way to get around before setting off
Travelling smarter
Richmond is the second of London's boroughs to join forces with Transport for London to encourage residents, schools and workplaces to travel more sustainably.
Smarter Travel Richmond is a three year programme, which launched earlier this year.
It aims to get people to walk, cycle and use public transport more, instead of driving.
The scheme launched following a successful pilot in Sutton.
For more information, go to www.smartertravelrichmond.org
