Picture yourself stepping out of Richmond station on a grey London morning, walking past a row of pretty shops, and suddenly recognising the street where Ted Lasso starts his day. For fans of the show, Richmond in south-west London is not just a neighbourhood: it is the place where the fictional AFC Richmond lives, and most of its real filming locations sit within a short, pleasant walk of each other. This guide separates the real locations from the studio sets, so you visit what you can actually see and skip the disappointment of hunting for a place that was never there.
Richmond Green and Paved Court: Ted’s Neighbourhood
Start at Richmond Green, the open green space that appears again and again as Ted walks to and from work. It is a real public park, used by dog walkers and families, and it gives you the show’s most recognisable outdoor backdrop for free. Just beside the Green sits Paved Court, the narrow, cobbled lane whose shopfronts stand in for Ted’s street. The exterior of his flat is filmed here, and one shop has even begun selling AFC Richmond merchandise. Remember that the flat interior itself was a studio set, so admire the street from outside and respect the people who live and work there.
The Prince’s Head: The Real Crown & Anchor
The Crown & Anchor, the pub where Ted, Coach Beard and the Richmond regulars gather, is fictional, but its exterior is very real. The Prince’s Head, a historic pub on the southern side of Richmond Green at 28 The Green, was used for the pub’s exterior shots. You can go inside for a drink and a meal, but do not expect the television interior: those scenes were filmed on a set at West London Film Studios. The pleasure here is standing where the characters supposedly drank, then enjoying a real pub in its own right. The pub is popular with fans, so visit outside peak hours if you want a quieter pint.
Selhurst Park: The Real Nelson Road
AFC Richmond’s home ground, Nelson Road Stadium, is played on screen by Selhurst Park, the south London home of Crystal Palace FC. The stadium’s exterior and stands provide the backdrop for the Greyhounds’ home matches, although the on-pitch action itself was filmed elsewhere and enhanced digitally, since Premier League pitches are off limits to film crews. The honest way to visit is to attend a Crystal Palace match or a stadium event, which lets you see the ground in use rather than as an empty shell. Check Crystal Palace’s official fixture list before planning a trip around a matchday.
SkyEx Community Stadium: The Training Ground
The training ground scenes were filmed at SkyEx Community Stadium in Hayes, home of Hayes & Yeading United FC, in west London. This is a working non-league ground rather than a tourist attraction, and it sits well outside the Richmond walk. Dedicated fans sometimes combine it with a matchday visit, but if your time is short, Richmond itself gives you far more of the show in far less travel. The same is true of the West London Film Studios interiors, which are not open to the public.
A Self-Guided Richmond Walk
The core Richmond walk takes two to three hours at a relaxed pace and needs no tour ticket. Begin at Richmond station, walk to Richmond Green, pass the Prince’s Head, wander Paved Court, then follow the riverside path along the Thames for views of the water and the town’s historic buildings. Finish with lunch in one of Richmond’s cafes or a longer walk up Richmond Hill for a classic view over the river bend. If you are planning a wider winter trip, our guide to places to visit near London in winter pairs well with this walk, with day trips like Windsor and Bath.
While you are in Richmond, the town itself is worth your time beyond the show. Its riverside, parks and independent shops are genuinely pleasant, and that is part of the point: the show chose Richmond because it already looked the way it does on screen. Enjoy the place on its own terms, and the filming locations feel like a bonus rather than the whole trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go inside the Crown & Anchor pub?
The Crown & Anchor is fictional. Its exterior is the Prince’s Head in Richmond, which you can visit as a working pub, but the interior seen on television was a studio set.
Can I visit AFC Richmond’s stadium?
Nelson Road is played by Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace FC. The realistic way to see it is by attending a match or stadium event there.
Is Richmond easy to reach from central London?
Yes. Richmond is served by National Rail and the District line, and the main filming locations are a short walk from Richmond station.
Do I need a guided tour?
No. The Richmond locations are close together and easy to visit on your own. Guided tours exist for fans who want episode-by-episode commentary, but they are optional.
Final Thoughts
The real Ted Lasso trail is a Richmond walk, not a stadium tour: Richmond Green, Paved Court and the Prince’s Head give you the show’s heart, Selhurst Park gives you its stadium, and the rest lives in studios you cannot visit. That is good news, because it means the best version of the trip is also the simplest: a morning in a beautiful Thames-side town, a pint in a historic pub, and a walk along the river where Ted’s story unfolded. For the fullest picture, see the filming-location guide at Country & Town House (Ted Lasso filming locations), then go and enjoy Richmond for yourself.
