St. Margarets
From Freepedia
| Ordnance Survey | |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference: | Maps for TQ168742 |
| Administration | |
| London borough: | Richmond |
| Area: | Greater London |
| Region: | London |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial county: | Greater London |
| Traditional county: | Middlesex |
| Police force: | Metropolitan Police |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | TWICKENHAM |
| Postcode: | TW1 |
| Dialling code: | 020 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | Twickenham |
| London Assembly: | South West London |
| European Parliament: | London |
| Image:Glc.gif | |
St. Margarets is a leafy southwest London suburb, situated on the north bank of the River Thames opposite its better-known neighbour, Richmond. The district is bounded to the east and south by a bend in the River Thames and to its north and west by the River Crane. St. Margarets is bisected by the busy Chertsey Road (A316), which connects Central London with the M3 motorway to the southwest.
The area is served by St. Margarets mainline station, with frequent services in and out of Waterloo, and is a 15-minute walk from Richmond's District Line underground station.
History
St. Margarets' river frontage was the site for large eighteenth century houses and gardens, notably - York House, Orleans House and Marble Hill House. In 1814, with advice from his friend Sir John Soane, the eminent architect, the famous English painter J.M.W. Turner built a house in Sandycoombe Road, leading down to Marble Hill Park, by the Thames. The house Sandycombe Lodge (originally Solus Lodge), is still there today. Turner painted many local scenes of the river Thames in the area. Many large Victorian houses also remain in the area along with infill housing from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Neighbouring areas
Neighbouring districts include Richmond upon Thames to the east (across Richmond Bridge), Twickenham to the southwest and Isleworth to the northwest (across the River Crane). Access to the east and south is prevented by the lack of a fixed river crossing, however a foot- and bicycle ferry carries passengers between the riverside near Ham House and the Marble Hill House bank.
