Essential Hotels > England > Surrey > Kingston upon Thames
Old Town Hall on Market Place
Old Town Hall on Market Place
England
Kingston upon Thames is a significant town in Surrey, and at the same time is a modern district of Greater London. It is only approximately 10 miles from the heart of the capital. Historically, the Romans, who utilised its location on the River Thames, at one time occupied Kingston. However, it is more importantly renowned as a famous Saxon settlement. It was here that several Saxon kings were crowned over the coronation stone, which can still be seen in the town centre. Conversely, by the 20th century it was a centre for avionics, with a significant presence with regards to military aircraft. It shared this heritage with the neighbouring town of Weybridge. The factories and hangers have since been re-purposed, but the collection at the Brooklands Museum at Weybridge retains this legacy.

Kingston upon Thames is a contemporary university town with a sense of humour. One of the focal points of the town is the ‘Out of Order’ arrangement, which is a modern art installation comprised of traditional red telephone boxes lying like fallen dominos. The town centre offers high-end shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Kingston also has good rail connections into London’s Waterloo Station, and the nearby town of Surbiton has a frequent fast link. If you are travelling by car, Kingston has a great road network, with the A3 bypass running alongside the town.

There is plenty for visitors to enjoy in and around Kingston, not least because London is within easy reach. The ever-popular Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures theme parks are both within driving distance. There are also several nearby heritage attractions. Hampton Court Palace lies just outside the town centre, and has beautiful architecture and a host of events and activities to enjoy throughout the year. Kew Gardens, which contains one of the broadest collections of flora you’ll ever see, is also within a few miles of Kingston centre.