Since the early Middle Ages, Kingston Upon Thames has been an important market town, port and river crossing; historically, the town was in Surrey. The old town centre retains a recognisably medieval street pattern, regarded as the best-preserved of its kind in outer London. Those wishing to get to know the town through its history will find both a historic urban fabric and individual buildings and places of remembrance that tell different chapters of the past.

Medieval traces and royal history

Clattern Bridge is a medieval multi-arched bridge with Grade I listed status. Its impressive masonry and archaeological significance are linked to Saxon origins. The Coronation Stone is also Grade I listed: this ancient sarsen stone is traditionally associated with the legend that seven Saxon kings were crowned on it in Kingston in the 10th century. The legend remains part of the tradition, rather than a verified account of the coronations.

Before the present church was built, the site of All Saints Church was an important estate of the West Saxon kings and a setting for royal coronations. The church itself was built in the 12th century. Visitors can follow a free, self-guided tour of the most interesting stained-glass windows; as arrangements for the tour may change, it is worth checking the latest visitor information when planning a visit.

Museum, collections and stage

Kingston Museum was purpose-built as a museum in 1904. Its three permanent exhibitions are called Ancient Origins, Town of Kings and Eadweard Muybridge. The exhibitions may be revised; the three titles nonetheless provide a useful overview of the museum's different themes. At Kingston History Centre, visitors can access the borough archives and local history collections. These include maps, photographs, films, audio recordings, building plans, newspapers, and historical and modern family records. If you plan to use the collections, it is advisable to check the latest access arrangements in advance.

Another cultural venue is Stanley Picker Gallery. It is on a small island on the Hogsmill River, next to Kingston School of Art on Kingston University's Knights Park Campus. All public areas of the gallery are on the ground floor and step-free; check these details in advance when planning a specific visit. Rose Theatre offers a different focus: its programme combines Rose productions with touring theatre, comedy and music events. As the programme changes, it is worth checking the current schedule for individual performances.

Green spaces and waterways

The nature areas showcase a variety of landscapes. Tolworth Court Farm Fields consists of seven fields of lowland grassland, including a wet grassland meadow. Hogsmill Valley River Park is a network of nature reserves along the Hogsmill river corridor, with woodland, grassland, flood meadows and river habitats. Berrylands Nature Reserve covers five hectares beside Tolworth Brook and has a small pond for wildlife. At Bonesgate Brook, Bonesgate Open Space Local Nature Reserve forms a green corridor; its mature trees and shrubs provide habitat for woodland birds.

Canbury Gardens is another green space shaped by water: the public gardens lie in a riverside landscape influenced by the Thames and opened on 8 November 1890. Together, these places represent a range of natural and landscape features, from wet grassland and river habitats to woodland and a pond for wildlife.

Chessington, the market and routes

Chessington offers a different range of experiences. Chessington Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals. At Chessington SEA LIFE Centre, visitors can see sharks, rays and tropical fish in underwater habitats; there are also rides and attractions. Animal collections, exhibitions and rides may change. The comparison is therefore less about a single theme than a choice between animal worlds, rides and the cultural, historical or landscape discoveries in Kingston.

The Ancient Market offers more than 20 permanent stalls and street food featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. Traders include florists, fishmongers, butchers, greengrocers and an artisan bakery. The range of traders may change. Those wishing to explore Kingston by bicycle can find organised cycling tours and cycle-friendly routes on low-traffic roads. Free cycle training is available for beginners, regular cyclists and families; course offerings may change, so check the latest dates when planning a specific visit.

For travel by water, Turks Launches operates boat services between Richmond, Kingston and Hampton Court. If you plan a trip, check the timetable in advance. Another practical point: Kingston History Centre is a ten-minute walk from Kingston station and is also accessible via cycle routes.

Discover more destinations

Surbiton, Kingston Upon Thames, Chessington, New Malden, Sutton, Islington, Richmond Upon Thames, Hillingdon

For the main travel overview: Greater London.