I’m up to my eyes in new kitchen appliances as our new suite at 20 The Barons nears completion. It’s been a long hard winter but today, looking out of the newly dressed window, I catch a glimpse of the sun. And summer is coming. And when it does finally arrive we’ll have another two-bedroom luxury apartment available to our guests. And there’s so much on offer in out beautiful neck of the woods. I, for one, am excited about the beginning of the polo season at Ham Polo Club (www.hampoloclub.com), which is just a few minutes away by car or taxi.
This polo club has the distinction of being the last remaining polo club in the Greater London area. Established in 1926, there is a fine clubhouse available for events, such as wedding receptions and corporate functions, and there are more than 21 acres of polo fields on which to land your helicopter (should you have one!)
Matches take place from May to September and, for a fee, spectators can attend. The fee varies depending on whether you are on foot or in a car but at only £5 per spectator on foot it is not prohibitive. As you’d expect the dress code is ‘smart/casual’ and no shorts of any kind are permitted. Phew!
And should you be brave enough, polo lessons are available. You can hire all the necessary equipment (including the horse). Ham also hosts the ‘Polo Experience Learn to Play Day’, which is ideal for corporate entertainment, team building or as a party day.
You can get to the Club from Richmond station in five minutes by taxi or you can take the No 65 bus, which stops outside the Club gates. If you fancy a stroll along the riverside, it takes 25 minutes from Richmond.
