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A London university surrounded by vibrant neighborhoods, each with their own unique charm and history.

We're in one of London's safest boroughs, Richmond-upon-Thames. Nestled next to Strawberry Hill House, we're easy walks and bus rides to several neighbourhoods steeped in culture and history.

Find out more and explore our local community:

  • Twickenham for rugby, arts and culture, and a great high street
  • Teddington for charity shops, restuarants, and Bushy Park (plus, a Tesco superstore)
  • Kingston for all things shopping and nightlife
  • Richmond for endless greenery, scenic views, and independent shops.

Whether you're a student or family member, we're confident you'll find plenty to enjoy while studying in the capital – an epicentre for culture, politics, business, and tech. During your degree, you'll take field trips across the capital and access its:

  • iconic atmosphere
  • academic resources
  • business opportunities.

Looking for things to to? We recommend checking out Visit London for the capital's highlights or Atlas Obscura for lesser-known gems.

Students at St Mary’s University benefit from convenient transport links for commuting and travel. The 33 bus stops directly outside the campus and runs regularly through Teddington, Twickenham and Richmond, providing easy access to nearby towns and local amenities. In addition, Strawberry Hill train station is only a short walk from campus and is served by the South Western Railway line, offering frequent services to London Waterloo and other surrounding areas such as Kingston, making it easy for students to travel both locally and into central London. Walking and cycling routes are also popular for short journeys.

Twickenham


Twickenham: the rugby capital of the world. Twickenham Stadium is the home of the Rugby Union. Seating 82,000, it is the 5th largest stadium in Europe and hosts the Six Nations matches and the Rugby World Cup.

However, there is more to Twickenham than just the Rugby.

Flood Lane and Church Lane lead down to the river, where you can enjoy a drink in one of the pubs or cross the bridge onto Eel Pie Island, which houses a collection of artist studios. In the 1960s and 70s, however, Eel Pie Island was an iconic concert venue, hosting musicians such as:

  • Pink Floyd
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Black Sabbath
  • The Who.

Teddington

Teddington's a peaceful neighbourhood with an unmatched high street. You've got:

  • an array of pubs and restaurants
  • a good mix of local and chain shops (not to mention a Tesco superstore, which is really handy)
  • perfect venues for some thrifting
  • Happy Potter Ceramics for some pottery painting.

Make sure you also see Teddington Lock and Bushy Park, the second largest of London's Royal Parks after nearby Richmond Park.

Teddington is also home to the famous Teddington Studios, which has been used as the location for a number of productions. Ricky Gervais’ comedy series The Office was actually filmed in a real office nearby.

Kingston

Nearby Kingston is bustling with activity. It’s a hub for shopping, eating out, and all things nightlife. But if you fancy something a little calmer, Kingston’s also great for a riverside lunch or stroll. You might be interested in visiting:

  • The Bentall Centre (a fantastic shopping mall)
  • The Rotunda (for a bowling alley, fitness centre, a cinema, escape rooms, and several restaurants and bars)
  • the riverside (for bars, pubs, and cafés)
  • Kingston Market (it's been around since the 1200s and sells streetfood, baked goods, fresh veg, and more).

You may also be interested in:

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Richmond

The area's best known for Richmond Park: you’ve got deer, seemingly endless greenery, and 800 years of history. If you’re visiting between April and May, the Isabella Plantation is a particularly popular spot, with azaleas bursting pink and purple along the water.

There's also Richmond Hill: great for scenic views of the capital.

While you explore the neighbourhood, make sure you check out its high street and many independent shops. We’d suggest getting the viral Italian hot chocolate at Gelateria Danieli and stopping by Open Books for your next read. Looking for a bite to eat? There’s also plenty of local cafés and brunch spots around. 

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