Being a pet sitter in Twickenham comes with one major side effect: an urgent desire to pack your bags and move to West London permanently. What started as a casual conversation over chilled wine on a Marlow sit quickly spiralled into cat cuddles in St Margaret’s and afternoons getting happily lost along the Thames. If you’ve ever wondered what house sitting in this scenic corner of Richmond upon Thames actually looks like—feline negotiating tactics included—read on for the full scoop.

A Pet Sitter in Twickenham: Discovering a Beautiful London Neighbourhood

They say that one good thing often leads to another, and I have certainly been lucky in that way. I recently completed a house sit in Marlow, where I met and very much enjoyed getting to know one of the homeowner’s Airbnb guests. Every evening, after my pet care duties were finished and my own remote work was wrapped up for the day, we would meet for a chilled glass of wine in the garden. It was the height of summer, and my companion had wonderful stories to tell. She was great company.

At the end of my sit, she said, “Well, if you like Marlow, you’ll love where I live in St Margaret’s, Twickenham. And I think you’d like my cats!”

To be honest, I had never heard of St Margaret’s, and all I knew about Twickenham was its fame for hosting England rugby matches. As a passionate traveller embracing the housesitting lifestyle, I knew I had to explore it.

The Pet Sit in Twickenham Begins

Two weeks later, I arrived in South West London to begin my duties as an in-home pet sitter in Twickenham. I was greeted by two very friendly felines, Rugs and Pops. If you are looking to find an assignment as a cat sitter in St Margaret’s, you couldn’t ask for better companions. They were wonderfully independent, yet loved company.

Rugs quickly appointed herself my co-worker, sitting beside me on my chair, at the dining table, while I wrote and occasionally prodding my back for a cuddle. Pops preferred an evening curl-up on the sofa—strictly on her terms, of course.

My routine fell into a gentle rhythm: as a digital nomad or work-from-home house sitter, I worked from early morning until mid-afternoon, leaving the late afternoons free to explore London like a local. The homeowner had mentioned that the house was surrounded by public parks and was only a short walk from the River Thames. She was right, but what I hadn’t realized was just how breathtakingly beautiful this pocket of Richmond upon Thames really is.

Discovering the Local Area as a Live-In Pet Sitter

Being a live-in pet sitter in Twickenham offers the perfect vantage point to experience the neighborhood away from typical tourist routes.

Top Tips for Green Spaces & Riverside Walks 🌳

The area forms part of the famous Arcadian Thames—a historic stretch of river preserved for its exceptional natural beauty. Within minutes of the housesit front door, I was walking through:

• Marble Hill Park & Orleans Gardens: Expansive green spaces leading right down to the riverbank, offering ideal dog-friendly walks in Twickenham if you’re caring for pups.
• Cambridge Park & Warren Gardens: Quiet spots perfect for a peaceful stroll after a busy morning at your desk.
• Richmond Park & Kew Gardens: World-famous green landmarks located just a short distance away in neighboring Richmond upon Thames, ideal for weekend excursions.
• Eel Pie Island: A unique spot famous for its rock-and-roll history and nature reserve. The magnificent views along the river at Twickenham are actually protected by an Act of Parliament!
• Strawberry Hill House: The building is the former home of Horace Walpole, man of letters from the 18 Century, built in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style of architecture. Open to the public, entrance fee £16 per person! But you can walk around the grounds for free.

History, Art, and Architecture ! 🏛️

The architectural landscape here is stunning, lined with pristine Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian homes; each block seemingly more fascinating than the last. My evening walks started as a way to stretch my legs after a day working at a computer. And by the end of the week the evening promenades had turned into a daily marathon looking for new streets, new neighbourhoods, trying to determine which period, which architect, which historical influence was responsible for all those beautiful homes.

The region’s heritage is full of fascinating stories, including historic influences from the French Court sheltering in the area during the French Revolution, and Napoleonic prisoners of war.

• Grand Estates: Magnificent historic properties like Ham House and Marble Hill House dominate the landscape along the river.
• Art History: You can visit Turner’s House (Sandycombe Lodge), the retreat designed by master painter J.M.W. Turner (£12 entry). Meanwhile, 18th-century portraitist Thomas Hudson has works on display inside Marble Hill House (free access), and the area holds strong historical ties to pioneering sculptor Anne Seymour Damer.

A True Village Feel in West London

Beyond the historic sites, what makes London house sitting in this area so special is the immediate sense of community. Oddly, with central London only 30 minutes by train, St Margaret’s feels like a quintessential English village tucked neatly inside Greater London. It is a peaceful, family-oriented neighbourhood with a welcoming high street, lovely independent cafés, and local amenities all within easy walking distance. On warm summer evenings, you can hear children playing in the quiet residential streets and parakeets in the trees.

If you ever get the opportunity to take on an assignment as a pet sitter in Twickenham or Richmond, jump at the chance—it might just take your breath away, too.

BIO

By Lamia Walker – Founder of HouseSit Match

Lamia Walker created HouseSitMatch.com from a personal passion for pets and travel, a global housesitting community she has grown over more than a decade. She believes in safe, vetted matches and the power of trust between homeowners and sitters. Through practical guidance and personal experience, Lamia helps people travel with confidence while their homes and pets are cared for.

Further Reading

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice such as this one on a pet sitter in Twickenham. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitting and petsitting useful.

How to become a full time housesitter

Housesitting abroad – Travelling as a housesitter

The Digital Nomad’s Toolkit

What is House Sitting?