Richmond, St Mary Magdalene
Address: Red Lion Street, Richmond.
Map Ref: TQ179748
8 Bells • Tenor 18½ cwt.
Sunday Service Ringing: 8.55 - 9.25 am, 10.55 - 11.10 am, 6.00 - 6.25 pm
Practice: Wednesday 7.30 - 9.00 pm
Entry is via a spiral staircase with external door on the south side of the tower.
History
The earliest reference to the church is in 1100 from the Merton Abbey records. In 1504 Henry VII renamed the town of Shene after his Yorkshire Earldom and gave two lots of £10 towards the building of a new church in the town of Richmond where he was rebuilding his palace. The tower is the only remaining part of the Tudor church, which has been regularly rebuilt and expanded, and has an attractive viewing gallery over the church, which contains a number of monuments, mainly 17th and 18th century, the earliest being a brass memorial of 1591 to Robert Cotton, a household official of both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I.
The 8 bells, dated between 1680 and 1761, were rehung by Eayre and Smith c. 1980.
Transport
By Road: The church is sited on the southern side of the Richmond one-way system (The Square, Eton St, Paradise Rd, Red Lion St and George St). Approached via A305, from the east Upper Richmond Road, and from the West over Richmond Bridge. There is a multi-storey car park on the left just before the church.
By Bus: From Hammersmith routes 33 or 419. From Kingston route 65. Alight at Richmond Bus Station; the church is a 2 minute walk.
By Train: To Richmond Station from Waterloo or by District Line on the Underground. 5 minute walk.
Facilities
Being in the centre of Richmond, there is a plethora of pubs and restaurants near the church.