As you start planning your days out in London for 2025, be sure to include a visit to our visitor centre, which is a special destination all year round. Here are six great reasons to book your visit to The Poppy Factory and experience the heart of Remembrance in Richmond upon Thames.
1: Understand our role in Remembrance
The Remembrance tradition began shortly after the First World War, offering a meaningful way for people to come together and honour those who gave their lives in service. At The Poppy Factory, we are proud of the special role our close-knit community plays in continuing this tradition, now over 100 years later. Our team works throughout the year to create the Remembrance wreaths that are placed each November.
We also continue to organise the annual Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, a tradition started by our founder and a group of factory workers in 1928, which we continue to cherish and uphold.
2: Discover what’s new
Have you visited The Poppy Factory before? Since our new visitor centre opened in 2021, guests enjoy returning to find out what’s changed. Meet the new hosts and volunteers who have joined our expert team. See important changes to our exhibition, including the Royal wreaths that we designed and now produce for Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Hear about the new items on show, including an original 1930s poppy with a fascinating story of its own. Our compact shop offers an improved range of merchandise, so you can take home unique mementoes that you won’t find elsewhere.
3: Take part in wreath-making, and make a poppy
4: Enjoy delicious cakes and hot drinks
In the cold of winter and early spring, you’ll find the promise of delicious cakes and carefully prepared hot drinks even more appealing. Our selection of cakes hits the spot with our guests, and our dedicated kitchen volunteers are on hand in the visitor centre to serve you warming mugs of tea, barista coffee and hot chocolate. You can even order ahead in anticipation!
5: Explore stunning Richmond upon Thames
As a destination for days out in all seasons, Richmond upon Thames rivals anywhere in London – and there’s a wealth of other attractions for you to explore within easy reach of The Poppy Factory. Just a few minutes walk from Ted Lasso’s flat and many familiar scenes from the series. Take a short walk up the hill to stunning Richmond Park, enjoying expansive river views on the way. Admire the seasonally shifting majesty of Kew Gardens close by, and discover an abundance of great shops, cafes and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk of our visitor centre. Combine your visit to The Poppy Factory with a trip to nearby attractions like National Trust property Ham House and the Museum of Richmond, or simply take a sunny stroll along glorious Richmond riverside.
6: Help veterans and their family members to change their lives
Our charity has always helped veterans with health conditions into employment – initially through our factory, and now through our veteran and family services in communities across England and Wales. By buying a ticket to visit The Poppy Factory, you’ll help others to change their lives through employment support. Your kindness will help us support hundreds more veterans every year to overcome barriers and enjoy a positive future.
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