Open House Festival

Neighbourhoods

Back to neighbourhoods

Twickenham

Do not miss the opportunity to visit the hidden gem, Grade II* listed Pope’s Grotto. It is all that remains of the Palladian villa and gardens created by the poet and satirist Alexander Pope (1688-1744), on the banks of the River Thames at Twickenham. Loaded with significance for British culture, namely for the birth of the English Landscape Garden Movement, Pope’s Grotto won the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award for 2024.

10-15 minutes walk away is York House and Gardens, where you can see the magnificent Water Nymphs (or locally known as the Naked Ladies).

Walk a further 5 minutes to see the recently refurbished Twickenham Museum, which celebrates the rich history of Twickenham, Whitton, Teddington and the Hamptons.

This is a beautiful house in Eric Lyons' last SPAN development from 1982

Eric Lyons and Span Developments, 1982

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Patch, 42 York Street

community/cultural

Patch is a pioneering neighbourhood workspace & culture venue in Twickenham. Housed in a striking Art Deco building, formerly home to the South Eastern Electricity Board, it’s a new local centre for work, cultural & community events.

James Ernest Franck, 1930

Other

Pope's Grotto

historical house, monument, miscellaneous, community/cultural

Grotto with mineral decoration is last remaining part of Alexander Pope's villa built 1720. The villa was demolished 1808 and replaced and redeveloped many times in following years but Pope's Grotto remains.

Alexander Pope, William Kent, 1720

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Twickenham Museum

museum

Grade II listed former waterman's cottage c1720. Restored and converted into a museum celebrating the rich history of Twickenham, Whitton, Teddington and the Hamptons.

Anthony Beckles Willson, 1720

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York House

historical house

Mid-17C house, a scheduled ancient monument, with fine staircase and 18C additions.

Unknown, 1650