Did you know that...
Evidence shows that Twickenham TW1 was established as a settlement since the Mesolithic period. That’s roughly 5,000 years ago or even more. The first mention of the area comes from an eighth-century document when Twickenham TW1, known as Tuican Hom or Tuiccanham, was given to the Bishop of London.
Twickenham Stadium is the largest rugby stadium in the world. It was built in 1907 and it has a capacity of 82,000 seats. It’s also the second-largest stadium in the UK and the fourth largest stadium in Europe. The first game was played here in 1909 shortly after the Rugby Football Union purchased the land used as a cabbage field. These days, this versatile venue is host to both fans around the world watching top-flight sports events and music lovers of Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, U2, R.E.M, and The Rolling Stones.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who, tennis player Oliver Golding, actress Keeley Hawes, and presenter Michael Fish lived in Twickenham TW1. St Mary’s Church is an 18th-century grade II listed building that stands on a 15th-century medieval tower.
Many people know about the stadium and Strawberry Hill House, but only a few about the local museum. The Twickenham Museum stands opposite St Mary’s parish church and is run by volunteers, however, very welcoming and informative. The lovely 18th-century three-storey building itself is worth seeing, not to mention the memorabilia and photos from the local area. This place offers a great way to spend a few hours and know more about the story of the transformation of Twickenham, Whitton, and Teddington from little villages into the modern London suburbs.
You can also enjoy visiting several 18th-century grand period mansions still standing in the historic riverside area. York House, Strawberry Hill House, and Marble Hill survived intact and now attract a lot of architecture buffs. Their beautiful and special Neo-Gothic style buildings, leafy gardens, Oak trees, sunny lawns, and nature trails are dramatically fascinating and partially Grade II listed.
York House is a 17th-century construction that unlike other York buildings did not house a Duke of York.