Historic Bingham Riverhouse reborn

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rita1

A gem of a hotel by the Thames in west London has been relaunched. Now officially transformed into the Bingham Riverhouse after a month long overhaul each of the 15 guest rooms has been lovingly reconstructed and redesigned, along with the dining rooms and bar. The colors throughout are a wash of pale pastels balanced with modern jewel tones, to perfectly echo the spectacular views of the Thames.

The award-winning interior designer, Nicola Harding, who is responsible the refurbishment of the new Bingham Riverhouse, has sought to preserve the colorful history and character of the original building creating a harmonious mix of easy living with the ambience of a private members house. Guests can enjoy drinks in the double-height pink drawing room, where original art is showcased among grand ceilings and French windows open up directly on to the terrace, allowing warming spring light to flood through. The dining space is painted in sumptuous tones, shelves of books reflect the buildingโ€™s past as a literary center. All 15 bedrooms make the most of the superb river views.

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The Riverhouse menu has been revived under the direction of award-winning head chef Andrew Cole; leading the team on seasonally changing menus that showcase the best of local produce, including Jerusalem Artichoke Tartlet with cop mushroom, rosemary and smoked almonds, Turbot On The Bone with fondant potato, purple broccoli and warm tartar sauce, and Raw Clementine Cheesecake with pecans, dates and clementine sorbet, for this yearโ€™s winter to spring season.

Originally built as two Georgian houses, from 1899, previous residents, Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper, wrote poems and plays under the famous pseudonym Michael Field; the house instantly became a literary hub attracting celebrated visitors such as W.B Yeats. In 1984, the Trinder family acquired the property and it remains to this day in the care of mother and daughter, Ruth and Samantha Trinder.

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Ruth Trinder, a formidable 78 year old, came from Kenya in the 60s to train as a nurse. She arrived with nothing and forged a life in the UK, first in nursing and later banking, becoming the first black woman to be employed by Coutts in the 70s. She subsequently established her own luxury nursing home business in partnership with Samantha’s late father which she went on to own for 30 years. Like previous owners Bradley and Cooper, Ruth Trinder had the foresight to buy what was then a crumbling Georgian house in the 80s.

Ruth Trinderโ€™s daughter, Samantha, founder of local wellness escape Bhuti, began running the hotel in her early 20s and transformed it into what was then Richmond’s first boutique hotel in 2006; not long after the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, in 2010. Inspired by the changing needs of guests and the community she has navigated the house into its next chapter.

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Samantha says, โ€œI grew up in what was my parents B&B in the eighties and in the noughties I was lucky enough to be given a free rein by my mother, a formidable Kenyan business woman, to transform it into Richmondโ€™s first boutique hotel. As my journey has unfolded, Iโ€™m inspired to reconnect the Bingham with its history, to be a place for all to be themselves.”

General Manager Erick Kervaon adds, ”We are so excited to finally open the doors to this new chapter and introduce the Riverhouse; we want each guest to feel at home and be part of this amazing journey from the moment they arrive.โ€

The Bingham Riverhouse has opened its doors again as we see the first hints of spring. With people emerging from their winter hibernation the transformed Bingham Riverhouse will be the perfect place to enjoy stunning views of the Thames, superb cuisine, fine wines and spirits in a setting which is elegant but feels like a personal home with a fascinating history.

About the author

Avatar of Rita Payne - special to eTN

Rita Payne - special to eTN

Rita Payne is the President Emeritus of the Commonwealth Journalists Association.

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