Visiting Ted Lasso's Town of Richmond

For my long weekend trip to London, I didn't plan to see the most common tourist sights. I had been to London about a decade prior and got my fill of everything touristy. Instead, I had my cousin take me to some gardens, some hipster neighborhoods, and her favorite spots she's found since moving out there the year before.

The one request I did make was to see the real-life neighborhood of Richmond upon Thames, London, where the fictional show Ted Lasso takes place. I felt a little silly making this request - I know a lot of tourists have gone there since the show aired, and it felt a little childish, since I know the show is made up. It's not like Jason Sudeikis would still be there filming, but it seemed as good a place to visit as any, and being right at the south end of Kew Gardens, we were able to tack it onto our trip.

Kew Gardens + Richmond = the perfect day trip in Southwest London

If you want to recreate this experience, here's what we did. The main entrance to Kew Gardens is a block's walk down Lichfield Road, right off the Kew Gardens exit on the Underground's green District line. The garden is truly massive and 100% worth a visit. I'd plan two or three hours to walk around. Head north first and make a big counterclockwise circle around the gardens.

Plan to end up at the Great Pagoda and exit via the Lion's Gate entrance. This is the furthest south exit in the park. (You can't enter here, though, as the ticket booth is at the main entrance.) Then, take a right, and a one-mile walk down Kew Road (which turns into George Street) will bring you directly to the center of Richmond. There's also a bus, in case you're tired of walking! After your time in Richmond, you can get right back on the green line at Richmond Station to head back to London.

What is there to see in Richmond for a Ted Lasso fan?

I'd recommend an hour to hang out in Richmond and enjoy everything you've seen in the show. You could certainly spend longer, though, as we did in order to get off our feet for a while after our long walk through Kew Gardens. You could also spend less time if you just want to pop in and snap a few photos, but being a bit of a Tube ride from London, it doesn't seem worth it to trek out here and not stay a while.

The Prince's Head Bar

The best thing to do in Richmond is to visit Ted Lasso's favorite bar, The Prince's Head. While Mae (played by Annette Badland) won't be there to serve your drink, the bar is filled with A.F.C. Richmond paraphernalia, and it looks exactly like it did in the show. We sat at a high-top table, enjoyed a draft beer, and watched whatever Premier League game was playing on the television.

Paved Court

Right behind the bar is the alley to Ted's flat, which is featured prominently in the show. While there's no marker on Ted's door, aside from the actual address (11), Paved Court is a very charming street nonetheless. There's a gift shop, a bakery, a Ted Lasso souvenir shop, and much more. This little pedestrian walkway is definitely worth a wander.

Richmond Green

The park featured prominently in the show, as well as Ted's bench and the iconic red phone booth, are located right at the corner here with the bar. The green is just that - a green, so there's nothing much going on here. But if you're not walked out from visiting Kew Gardens, you can follow the zig-zagging walkways around the park or walk the perimeter of it and check out Richmond Palace.

George Street

I don't think George Street appears in the show, but the three-ish blocks that make up downtown Richmond are definitely worth a stop. This is one block over from the Richmond Green and The Prince's Head, and the train station is at the top of the commercial center. You can find everything kind of store here, from souvenir shops and corner stores to high-end beauty, health, and clothing brands. There are also, of course, restaurants and a gelato bar to refuel before your ride home.

Is Richmond a real place in England?

Yes! The town of Richmond featured in Ted Lasso is real. This charming neighborhood is located in southeast London, and it's easy to get to via the London Underground.

Is there a Richmond Football Club?

No, the team A.F.C. Richmond featured in the show does not exist. Their colors and their stadium used in filming belong to Crystal Palace, a team in the Premier League based in south London. There is, coincidentally, a Richmond Town Football Club out of Richmond, North Yorkshire, and in the 7th Division of the league system, so, pretty far from the Premier League.