Leafy London sounds like it should be an oxymoron.
There are only about 10 miles between the green, pleasant, self-contained campus of St Mary's University and the energy and excitement of the big city.
In a massive, sprawling metropolis that can be cold and formal, it is clear that students value the intimate, friendly confines of St Mary's.
Yet they are still happy to be living close enough to one of the most diverse cities in the world - red London busses rumble regularly past the front of Strawberry Hill House.
The Irish News spent two days at St Mary's before the end of term. There it met its staff, its students, explored the campus, learned a great deal about the institution's strong links to Ireland and experienced its active celebration and promotion of its Catholic ethos.
St Mary's has enjoyed enduring historical connections with Ireland since its foundation in 1850. It was after its move to Strawberry Hill, Twickenham in 1925, under the leadership of the Vincentians, that the numbers of Irish began to swell.
Today, there is a fantastic juxtaposition of old and new at the campus.
Strawberry Hill House, located in the university grounds, is among Britain's finest examples of Georgian Gothic revival architecture. Nearby, is a 250-year-old shrine to Our Lady, the beautiful listed Chapel in the Wood.
These are both a short walk from the ultra-modern facilities that house the internationally-recognised School of Sport, Health and Applied Science. The school undertakes fascinating work in the areas of sport science, sport rehabilitation, coaching science, strength and conditioning science and nutritional science.
Technical Support Manager James Simms and Physiology Technician Ian Grant spoke enthusiastically about the many vocationally-relevant programmes of study and the employment of expert staff in the various fields of sport, health and exercise science.
VO2 max testing was of particular interest to someone who has relatively recently started to enjoy, if that is the right verb, running. Offers of being a `subject' were made and "taken on board".
The university is now arguably London's top-performing sports institution.
Its Strength and Conditioning Science degree began seven years ago and has evolved into a highly successful programme with the reputation of producing outstanding coaches. The development of this programme has included the construction of a new Performance Education Centre.
Recently, the strength and conditioning team was awarded a contract to oversee the training needs for the Irish women's rugby union players based in London.
There was some time during the stay to re-trace the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI, who visited in 2010. St Mary's was specially selected by the Vatican for its first-rate facilities and location, and for its contribution to Catholic education during its history. The Pope met with religious leaders of various faiths in the ornate Waldegrave Drawing Room to discuss religion and belief in society.
While St Mary's has a diverse intake that is integrated into the university's vibrant campus community, it is indisputably Catholic.
As well as the Chapel in the Wood, there is a daily Mass in the much larger chapel and also a chaplaincy at the heart of St Mary's, providing a focus for the community life and offering pastoral care and support for all students.
Deputy Chaplain Caroline Stanton explained that the chaplaincy's inclusive mission meant it welcomed all students from many different faith traditions.
Just across the road from the university is Benedict XVI House, which provides a space for a small group consisting of one member of staff and nine students to pursue together a life of prayer, study, community and outreach to the wider St Mary's community. The beautifully appointed house even has its own small chapel area.
Catholic ethos and values permeate everything.
It flows through student finance. Scholarships of £1,500 are awarded to students from Catholic schools or colleges in the UK or EU.
It pervades degree choices. As well as more traditional courses in theology and religious studies, there is a foundation degree in Youth Ministry and School Chaplaincy as well as a modular postgraduate course entitled Catholic School Leadership: Principles and Practice.
It is apparent in major staff appointments. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England Wales was installed as the first chancellor, and Francis Campbell, one of the most influential Catholic men in Britain and former British Ambassador to the Holy See, is the first to hold the title of vice chancellor.
There is something reassuring about a leader of a university that is on first name terms with all his staff, and whose staff are on comfortably on first name terms with him.
In his welcome to prospective students in the undergraduate prospectus, Mr Campbell says the mission of St Mary's since 1850 has been to provide high quality academic and professional education inspired by its Catholic ethos and values.
No one has lost sight of that vocation. It is as salient now as 165 years ago.
