In 43 AD, Romans settled in Staines and named the settlement “Ad Pontes” — “at the bridges”. The name referred to the bridge they built over the Thames, on the site of today’s Staines Bridge. This river crossing also shapes how the town’s history is viewed: Staines Bridge opened in 1832, to designs by George and John Rennie, and is built of rusticated granite ashlar. This makes it possible to consider Roman settlement history and a 19th-century structure as distinct historical layers.
History by the river
Another historical landmark is the London Stone in Lammas Recreational Park in Staines-upon-Thames. Its inscription describes it as marking the western boundary of the City of London’s jurisdiction over the Thames. The stone was erected in 1285. The inscription therefore offers a concrete starting point for understanding the special function the stone marks on the Thames.
Park paths and river routes
Lammas Recreation Ground is a family park right beside the Thames. A nine-hole mini golf course has been part of the park since 2021 and is considered wheelchair- and pushchair-friendly. If this facility is important to your plans, check its availability in advance. In Staines, the Thames Path links Memorial Gardens, Lammas Recreation Ground and Laleham Park for riverside walks.
Route 4 offers a different way to explore: it starts and ends at Lammas Recreation Ground and is 13 miles long. Along the way, it follows the Thames towpath, passes under Staines Bridge and reaches Memorial Gardens. Route 4 is therefore defined by a set distance and a shared start and end point; the Thames Path, by contrast, links several named places for walks. Check current route conditions before setting out.
Art and museum
Artwalk is a public art trail in the centre of Staines-upon-Thames. A recommended route is available for viewing the public art along it. A sculpture designed and erected by John Atkin stands on Wraysbury Road, beside the Wraysbury River.
Spelthorne Museum is located in the Library Hub at Elmsleigh Centre in Staines, next to the bus station. Its exhibits include a mammoth tusk, Roman pots and a replica of the Neolithic Shepperton Woman. As exhibitions and visitor arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.
Getting here, excursions and events
For day trips, you can choose train and boat connections based on the destinations that interest you. There are direct trains from Staines station to London Waterloo, Richmond and Windsor. River cruises connect Staines with Windsor, Runnymede and Hampton Court. If you are considering staying overnight in Staines, it helps to factor in your planned excursions and the most suitable mode of transport. Check train timetables and boat times for your travel dates.
The annual Staines Regatta takes place on a 500-metre course from Wheatsheaf Lane to Silvery Sands; admission for spectators is free. Staines-upon-Thames Day is a free family day with events in Memorial Gardens, Market Square, the High Street and beside the Thames. Dates and event details may change, so check the information for your planned visit in advance.
Discover more destinations: Weybridge, Reigate, Abinger Common, Ashford, Bramley, Capel, Farnham, Godstone
For the regional travel overview: Surrey.
