The Best Things to do in Teddington, London

Looking for the best things to do in Teddington? From lazy walks along the Thames and independent cafés to kayaking, floating saunas and one seriously underrated London stay, here’s how I’d spend a day (or better yet, a weekend) in this lovely corner of Southwest London.

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Richmond tends to get most of the attention when people start talking about Southwest London.

But keep following the Thames and you’ll eventually reach Teddington—a quieter, greener pocket of the city where mornings involve dog walkers and coffee runs rather than tube platforms, the High Street is still full of independents and you can be paddling down the river before lunch.

It’s been part of Greater London since 1965 (before then it belonged to Middlesex), but Teddington still has that deliciously suburban feeling of being somewhere else entirely.

I personally love coming here when I’m craving London riverside life, minus the crowds of the South Bank. And after finally staying overnight rather than simply popping in for the day, I’ve become even more convinced that Teddington is one of the city’s most underrated weekend escapes.

You’ve got Bushy Park practically on the doorstep, the Thames winding through the neighbourhood, historic houses nearby, a genuinely lovely independent food scene and enough sport and wellness to keep you occupied long after you’ve finished your first coffee.

Best of all? You’re still in London.

So whether you’re looking for somewhere different for a local day out or fancy disappearing to Southwest London for a slow weekend, here’s the best things to do in Teddington, from a Londoner.

Shall we?

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1. Potter about Teddington High Street

As soon as you step out of Teddington station, it’s not long before you’re on the lovely Teddington High Street.

Spanning from Broad Street down towards the river, this is where you can go from book shopping to coffee drinking to dipping into all the local Teddington cafés that give the neighbourhood its charm.

I still love FARA Books for a browse, but there’s been plenty happening on the food-and-coffee front too. Parsnips has a café and deli side-by-side for pancakes, toasties, pastries and locally sourced bits, while MYRA has brought coffee and gelato to the High Street.

Café Benedict is another proper neighbourhood favourite and I will always have a sweet spot for Gosia’s.

Above all, give yourself time for a potter!

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2. Try the Local Teddington Food Scene

Teddington has its fair share of chains, but the independents are what make eating in the neighbourhood so good.

Piazza Firenze has long been a personal favourite—a family-run Italian where the menu leans seasonal and the atmosphere makes it beyond easy to imagine you’ve slipped into Florence for the afternoon.

For something to take home (or, preferably, eat beside the river), stop at The Teddington Cheese for a wedge of farmhouse cheese before continuing towards the Thames.

And for my wine lovers (guilty as charged), make a note of The Good Wine Shop at 47 High Street for bottles from smaller producers and cheese and wine nights too.

And for dinner, head to Red Koyla on Kingston Road for Indian cooking with a contemporary edge.

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3. Roam Bushy Park

You could very easily come to Teddington for Bushy Park alone.

London’s second-largest Royal Park sits less than a 10-minute walk from the station, yet within minutes you can swap the High Street for ancient trees, ponds, open grassland and herds of deer wandering about as though this isn’t technically Zone 6.

The Diana Fountain is one of the main landmarks, but this is really a park for walking without too much of an agenda.

It’s also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so the wildlife goes far beyond the deer everyone understandably comes to photograph.

Pedestrian access is generous throughout the year, although seasonal deer-cull closures do apply and vehicle gates close at dusk. I’d check the official Bushy Park page before setting off.

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4. Visit Strawberry Hill House

If Gothic towers, stained glass and houses that look like they belong in a period drama take your fancy, I might’ve just found your favourite stop near Teddington.

Strawberry Hill House was created by writer and politician Horace Walpole and helped inspire the Gothic Revival style that would later sweep through Britain.

The white façade already looks wonderfully theatrical from outside, but the real fun is wandering through its dramatic interiors, where carved details, stained glass and Walpole’s collection make the whole place feel just eccentric enough.

Give yourself a few hours if you want time for the garden and café too (which you most definitely should).

The house is usually open Wednesday–Sunday for much of the year, but opening days change seasonally, so check the official site before visiting.

P.S. – It’s an easy bus ride from Teddington, so it works perfectly as part of a bigger Southwest London day.

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5. Explore Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace truly feels like you’ve waltzed several centuries back in time (although if you were a woman in Henry VIII’s court, perhaps not an era we’d voluntarily return to…just saying!).

The former Tudor palace comes with around 60 acres of formal gardens and enough history to fill an entire afternoon.

Inside, highlights include Henry VIII’s Apartments and the Tudor Kitchens, while outside you’ve got the Hampton Court Maze and Great Fountain Garden to explore.

It’s an easy bus ride from Teddington and I’d allow at least 2–3 hours if you want the full experience without sprinting between royal bedrooms.

Opening days and ticket prices change seasonally, so check the latest times before you go.

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6. Walk Teddington Lock & the Thames

If there’s one thing Teddington does particularly well, it’s riverside life.

Follow the High Street down towards the Thames and eventually you’ll reach Teddington Lock, the largest lock complex on the Thames, which marks the meeting point between the tidal and non-tidal stretches of the river (if you’re wondering…).

From here you can follow the Thames Path towards Richmond and Ham, passing rowers, houseboats and some seriously lovely sections of river along the way.

And of course, riverside walking has a tendency to turn into riverside drinking.

The Anglers sits beside the lock with a huge garden made for sunny afternoons, while The Wharf is the smarter sit-down option across the water.

Before crossing the footbridge, I’d have a look at The Boathouse Design Studio on Ferry Road.

It’s a Grade II listed former boat-building space, now a creative co-working studio with what must be one of London’s nicest office views. Its river terrace is also home to the seasonal Flying Cloud Café, serving from a vintage Airstream when it’s open.

Just before the lock you’ll also pass St Mary with St Alban, Teddington’s ancient parish church at the bottom of the High Street.

The church has served the community for more than 800 years and remains closely tied to neighbourhood life, while the former St Alban’s church opposite now lives on as the Landmark Arts Centre, hosting concerts, fairs and exhibitions throughout the year.

P.S. – If you like London walks, be sure to check out my self-guided London walking tours on my blog!

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7. Kayak Along the Thames

One thing you definitely can’t do in every London neighbourhood is spend your morning kayaking down the Thames.

In Teddington, you can.

I headed out from the Watersports Centre during my stay at The Lensbury, paddling along the Thames towards Kingston Bridge.

From the water, this stretch of Southwest London somehow feels even greener, with trees tumbling down towards the riverbanks, endless rowing boats gliding past and the noise of London disappearing surprisingly quickly once you get going.

The Lensbury offers kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and other watersports from its riverside club. Just bear in mind that activities carry an additional charge rather than being included automatically with your hotel stay (our kayak was £15 for one hour).

If you’re not staying at The Lensbury, the historic Royal Canoe Club is also based in Teddington and worth checking out!

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8. Try TEMZ Floating Saunas

If one Thames-based activity isn’t enough for the day, I’d follow up kayaking with something a bit warmer.

TEMZ Floating Saunas sits on a pontoon inside The Lensbury grounds, looking straight onto the river. It’s run by co-founders Amy and Eddy, who combine Amy’s background as a professional rugby player with Eddy’s years working across sport and events to create the city’s first ice bath sauna experience.

If you’re curious what the full session is actually like, check out my full TEMZ Floating Saunas review here.

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Final Thoughts on Visiting Teddington, London

Teddington is one of those places that proves you don’t have to leave London to feel like you’ve gone somewhere.

You can spend the morning wandering Bushy Park, stop for coffee on the High Street, kayak down the Thames, brave an 8°C ice bath and still be back in Central London the same evening.

Or, even better, don’t rush back at all.

Stay overnight and let Teddington do what it does best: make London feel a little greener, calmer and considerably less hurried.

For me, that’s exactly why it’s worth the detour.

Happy Londoning,

Candace x

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