Driving DH and friends to Twickenham Stadium rugby match Sat 13 May - where's a good drop off point? And what can I do for six hours?

[OfftoPenzance]

As there's a train strike this Saturday, I've offered to drive DH and friends to the Army vs Navy game at Twickenham rugby stadium on Whitton Road from 12 midday to 6 pm.

(Not to be confused with the women's game at Twickenham Stoop up the road on the same day, that runs from 3 - 7 pm).

We're from north of London. We're coming down the M25, then up the M3, Great Chertsey Road, Chertsey Road etc to the Stadium.

Do any local Twikkers on Mumsnet have any suggestions for convenient drop off/pick up points within walking distance of the Stadium that won't be too busy? Some quiet residential street nearby, for example.

I won't need to actually park there, as I won't be there for long. While these grown men watch other grown men chasing a ball about, I intend to push off in the car for the six hours and and find something historical [NOT the Rugby Museum!].

Or perhaps peruse a nearby high street that has a good selection of charity shops and/or interesting women's clothes shops. Or a market. Or any other Interesting Thing.... Any recommendations?

I see Ham House is not far away. Twickenham has a museum Or there's Hampton Court Palace. Always wanted to go there. Does it get very busy on a Saturday? Can I get parked there?

Thanking local Twikkers and others in advance...

Wow, I am spoilt for choice! Thank you so much for all your help.

We will arrive in the Twickenham area by 12-1230. The Richmond May Fair looks great and I will try for that and the car parks suggested, but if the traffic is overwhelming I'll head for Teddington and its charity shops etc.

I tell a lie about none of DH's party being ex Services. I remember now that one of DH's gang was in the Navy, and it's him who buys the tickets every year. The 'al fresco fancy dress party' [Twickenham Nub News] sounds like it could be quite jolly, so it's a shame it's marred by drunken weeing in people's gardens and falling over.

All the walks, gardens etc - I will keep this info so we can do some of them at a later date.

Thanks again,

The 'al fresco fancy dress party' [Twickenham Nub News] sounds like it could be quite jolly, so it's a shame it's marred by drunken weeing in people's gardens and falling over

With a crowd of 82,000 there are always going to be inconsiderate ignorant louts among them. Could be worse - it could be football fans. Chelsea wanted to use the stadium a few years ago and the borough was united in telling them to go and do one. Worryingly, I see this is still on the cards

https://www.cityam.com/chelsea-yet-to-make-formal-approach-over-playing-matches-at-twickenham-stadium/

There is a fair on at Hampton court today which could be worth a visit. When I last visited more people in the ground than going round palace which will keep you occupied for a few hours.

I have a season ticket for a football team and went to rugby last year and the fans were far far worse behaved. For a start, you can't drink during football. Me and my son had a horrific time at the rugby with people vomiting in their seats at Twickenham, passing out and hurling abuse the whole game. We've never gone again! The whole 'football fans would be worse' is just snobbery I'm afraid.

The whole 'football fans would be worse' is just snobbery I'm afraid.

Oh SO sorry. I bow to your superior knowledge of the behaviour of rugby fans based on one visit.