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 and is cut through its centre by the busy Chertsey Road (A316).

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. Access to the east and south is prevented by the lack of a river crossing.