Outdoor activities you can enjoy in Twickenham from Monday
School's out for Easter – and so are many of the restrictions under which we have been living.
Monday will see the return of outdoor sport, the end of the 'stay at home' message for travel and groups of six people getting together for the first time in months.
In Twickenham residents will be able to play golf and tennis, go for a swim or have a barbecue with friends – if the weather permits.
We've picked out a few activities that you will soon be able to enjoy. See below for the full list of changes to government guidelines from March 29.
Tennis
Perfect for sunny days, tennis is a great way to exercise and socialise with friends - especially if you're up for a doubles match.
One easy way to book courts is using the Play Tennis Richmond scheme, which is subsidised by the Council and runs 44 courts across 11 venues in the borough.
It costs £50 for a yearly membership which lets you book a court for 90 minutes every day – although changes have been introduced for new members.
Bookings resumed on Tuesday this week ahead of courts reopening, so you'll need to be quick off the mark.
"I hope you are well and looking forward to the reopening of the tennis courts which is still scheduled for Monday, March 29," an email to members read.
"We look forward to seeing you back on the courts soon."
Private tennis clubs across Richmond Borough are also re-opening, if you want to make more of a commitment to the sport.
These include the Lawn Tennis Clubs in Teddington, Twickenham, Richmond and Sheen, as well as the Ham & Petersham Tennis Club, NPL Tennis Club in Teddington and Pensford Tennis Club in Kew.
Golf
Lower-energy than tennis but just as enjoyable and sociable, golf is a popular activity that many people will be happy to see back.
And Richmond borough has plenty of golf courses where you can tee off.
Fulwell, Strawberry Hill, and Hampton Court Palace golf course in Bushy Park will all be welcoming back visitors for casual games as well as members.
Near Richmond, the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club and Palewell Common Pitch and Putt will also be opening.
Horse-riding and polo
Horse-lovers will be happy to hear that riding and polo lessons are set to return across the borough.
Five riding schools close to Richmond Park will be back: Stag Lodge, Barnfield Riding School, Operation Centaur, Petersham Farm Stables and Ham House Stables.
Park Lane Stables in Teddington will be open, although due to social distancing rules they are only taking confident riders who can go independently.
Ham Polo Club is the place to go for polo lessons and the club offers riding lesson as well.
Open-air pools
Swimming in an open-air pool is a pleasant way to exercise and in a pandemic it's certainly safer than taking a dip indoors.
Richmond borough has two outdoor pools which residents will be able to take advantage of come March 29.
Both Hampton Pool, near Bushy Park, and Richmond Pools on the Park are re-opening. Get your bookings in quickly as these places are likely to be very popular!
The changes in full
Here are the changes taking effect on Monday under the government's roadmap out of lockdown.
Social contact
The evidence shows that it is safer for people to meet outdoors rather than indoors.
And this is why from March 29, when most schools start to break up for the Easter holidays, outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside.
Business and activities
Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.
Travel
The 'stay at home' rule will end on March 29 but many restrictions will remain in place.
People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes.
Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons.
Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme.
The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on April 12.
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