St Peter’s, in Petersham, is almost doubled in size, with new galleries and a much enlarged south transept

Four new boathouses are built by Richmond Bridge, to be occupied chiefly by the watermen families of the Chittys, the Peasleys and the Wheelers, for boat-hiring and boatbuilding.

Strawberry Hill passes through the Waldegrave family to John, who marries Frances Braham in 1839, and on his early death to his brother George, the seventh Earl, who marries his brother's widow.

Queen Victoria gives Kew Gardens to the nation, as a botanic garden of scientific importance

Sir William Hooker, the first Director of Kew Gardens, rents Brick Farm and re-names it West Park

Fire demolishes the Armoury in the Tower

The seventh Earl is heavily in debt and sells off the contents of Strawberry Hill. 'The Great Sale' starts on 25 April 1842 and last for 32 days raising over £33,000.

Thomas Young, a tea merchant, builds a new house on the site of the original Pope's Villa.

Topping's Wharf burns

Dr Weiss, soon to be followed by Dr Ellis, establishes a hydropathy clinic at Sudbrook Park, which runs for twenty years despite accusations of manslaughter when patients die following the cold water-treatment

A new Royal Exchange opens

Richard Turner wins the government contract to build a great new glasshouse in Kew Gardens, the Palm House, with Decimus Burton acting as architectural consultant.

The Young Men's Christian Association is founded in London by British drapery assistant George Williams

Louis Philippe, now King of France, visits Orleans House during a royal visit to Britain.

Sewers are enlarged to carry waste to the Thames

Brunel's suspension bridge serves Hungerford market

Under Sir William Hooker (director 1845--65) and his son Sir Joseph Hooker (director 1865--85) the botanic gardens are greatly increased in size, prestige and scientific excellence.

Work begins on a station at Barnes, which is now the only survivor of the five original stations on the new railway line from Nine Elms to Richmond

The first train on the new London and South Western Railway line from Nine Elms passes through Barnes on its way to a rapturous arrival in Richmond, with a brass band and church bells ringing

William Chillingworth, who bought Radnor House in 1842, substantially remodels it in the fashionable Italianate style.

Queen Victoria leases Pembroke Lodge, as a country retreat, to her Prime Minister, Lord John Russell

Frances, Lady Waldegrave, inherits Strawberry Hill on her husband's death in 1846, marries George Granville Harcourt, an elderly Liberal MP, and establishes herself as a leading Liberal hostess.

At a congress in London Engels persuades a group of radical Germans to adopt the name Communist League

Kneller Hall is bought by the Committee of the Privy Council for Education. The house is largely demolished and rebuilt with nothing remaining of Kneller's original house.

Metternich and his family leave Vienna, in this year of revolutions, and live in Trumpeters' House until October 1849