Kingston - 10 really good reasons to visit…

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Above: Albany Park Canoe and Sailing Centre - the perfect place to spend a hot summer's day

Above: The Rose of Kingston is set to officially open its doors at the end of the year

Above: The Bentall Centre's impressive facade was inspired by Christopher Wren’s design for Hampton Court (Photo credit Pete Gardner)

Above: The 'toppling telephone boxes' (Photo credit Mark Field)

Above: The Toilet Gallery was Paul Stafford's bright idea (Photo credit - Russell John).

Above: Clattern Bridge is the oldest bridge still in use in Surrey (Photo credit Pete Gardner)

Above: Kingston Museum has been described as 'the jewel in Kingston’s crown' (Photo credit Pete Gardner)

Above: The spectacular Richmond Park is home to some 650 free roaming deer (Photo credit - Helen Hughes)

Above: Kingston\Kingston lies on one of the most idyllic stretches of the Thames (photo credit Pete Gardner)

Above: Shoppers make the most of Kingston town centre (photo credit Pete Gardner)

 1) Cruising down the river

Sitting on three miles of one of the most picturesque stretches of the River Thames, Kingston originally grew out of a crossing point upstream of London Bridge. Today, its attractions, both on and off the water, remain undiminished.

As well as pubs, restaurants, walks and cycle routes, and the chance to relax on boat trips during the summer, the riverside is also home to a new development at Charter Quay - a multi purpose residential and entertainment complex that provides something for everyone.

If all that wasn’t enough, there is also the Kingston Regatta to look forward to this month. Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the crowds can look forward to watching over 275 races.

Martin Ellis, a Reg atta committee member who has compiled a collection of river stories for the event’s website, explains what the river means to the town.

“My family and friends have always used the Thames as a place of exercise, pleasure or contemplation, and it always gives me a thrill of enjoyment as I glimpse it,� he says. “On the website, we have ‘river stories’ from people who enjoy boating, those who are grounded in it, and people who owe fame to it.�

• Kingston Regatta takes place on Saturday July 14 and Sunday July 15 from 9am to 7pm each day. www.kingstonregatta.co.uk


2) Rose of Kingston Theatre

The Rose of Kingston forms part of the Charter Quay development and is set to open its doors officially at the end of the year – though it has already hosted productions in its unfinished state.

Designed on the ground plan of Shakespeare’s original Rose playhouse, it will be a very welcome addition to the town.

Sir Peter Hall, the theatre and film director who founded the Royal Shakespeare Company, is director of the new theatre.

"This is the acting space and auditorium that I have been dreaming of for all my professional life,� says Sir Peter, who is also chancellor of Kingston University, which is closely involved with the theatre. “It is intimate yet epic; a place for intimate scenes or for surging battles. It has the mandatory requirement for Shakespeare; it is small enough to whisper in and large enough to shout in."

Another well-known name lending his support to the theatre is John Altman, famous for playing one of EastEnders’ best known villains, Nick Cotton.

• The Rose of Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston upon Thames. Tel: 020 8546 6983. Website: www.kingstontheatre.org 


3) Bentall Centre

Kingston’s claim to be the premier retail centre in south east England is well justified, with its extensive range of shops throughout the town. At the heart of this is the award-winning Bentall Centre - packed with over 85 shops.

The original façade, built in the 1930’s and inspired by Christopher Wren’s design for Hampton Court, was retained in the re-development and is large enough to accommodate the nave of Westminster Abbey or the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.

A list of all the stores in the centre would require a pull-out section all of its own, but rest assured the selection covers all the choice any shopping junkie could hope for. A comprehensive guide can be found on the Bentall Centre’s website below.

• The Bentall Centre, Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames. For further information on stores and services, visit the website: www.thebentallcentre-shopping.com

4) The toppling telephone boxes

Known as the ‘toppling telephone boxes’, Kingston is home to one of the most unusual public sculptures in the country and a feature of postcards world wide.

Officially titled Out of Order, the sculpture was created by artist David Mach in 1988. The piece is a series of full size red telephone boxes and was intended to encapsulate a traditional symbol and part of the “blood of Britain�.

The sculpture can be found in the middle of Old London Road and provides something for those tired of window shopping - as well as preserving (in a quirky manner) a little of the area’s history.

Originally the Royal Borough had 129 of Gilbert Scott's famous red telephone boxes, but when they were phased out, despite the best efforts of Kingston’s conservation officer, the town was not allowed to keep any. The sculpture was a sort of consolation; although plans for practicality failed to materialise when attempts to have one of the boxes working were vetoed.

• Old London Road, Kingston Upon Thames.

5) The Toilet Gallery

If you happen to wander down the alleyway between Starbucks and the Kings Tun pub in Kingston town centre, you might well be in for a little bit of a shock - especially if you are a lady looking for a little relief…

A few years ago, university art lecturer Paul Stafford came up with the idea of turning the abandoned ladies toilet into a showcase for young avant-garde artists.

Today, the unlikely gallery appears on over 70 websites worldwide, has featured on national television and radio, and now receives sponsorship to support its work.

“It’s great that Lever/Faberge, who own Domestos, feel they can support such a risky and innovative project,� says Paul, artist, curator of the gallery, and director of Foundation Studies in Art and Design at Kingston University. “It goes without saying that the Royal Borough has paved the way for our venture and supported us from day one.

“Kingston University has been very supportive allowing me time to develop the project, and I give talks in the gallery to students on a regular basis.�

Paul is understandably pleased with the gallery’s success, and seems particularly excited with the opportunities it offers visitors and artists alike.

“People should visit the gallery because they have the chance to see the work of young MA graduates in Art and Design graduating from some of the highest profile courses in the country,� he adds. “Grab the opportunity to see young vibrant work and meet new emerging artists before they become unreachable.�

• The Toilet Gallery, 151 Clarence Street, Kingston. For more details, visit www.toiletgallery.org

6) Kingston Royal Walkabout

The Kingston Royal Walkabout offers visitors the chance to walk in the footprints of history, learning more about the town’s character and heritage along the way. Starting at the Coronation Stone next to the Guildhall, the walk takes in numerous sites of interest, including:

• The Coronation Stone: The monument has the names of the seven Anglo-Saxon kings reputed to have been crowned in Kingston in the tenth century written around its base.

• Clattern Bridge: The oldest bridge still in use in Surrey. The name 'Clattern' comes from the clattering sound of horses' hooves.

• The Queen's Promenade: Created in Queen Victoria's reign, the Queen often went through Kingston on her way to Claremont House.

• Kingston Bridge: This famous landmark replaced an earlier wooden bridge in 1828. The Duchess of Clarence, later Queen Adelaide, opened the bridge and gave her name to the main shopping street. 

For more information, visit www.kingston.gov.uk and search for the Royal Walkabout.


7) Kingston Museum

Those who want to find out more about the town’s fascinating past should visit the town’s ever popular museum. At Kingston Museum , you will find the borough’s long and distinguished history alive and under one roof.

“Kingston Museum has been described as ‘the jewel in Kingston’s crown’ and it is my favourite place in Kingston,� says Anne McCormack, head of Kingston Museum and Heritage Service. “Now over one hundred year’s old, the museum owes its existence to a generous donation to Kingston Council by the Scottish American benefactor, Andrew Carnegie.

“More recently a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund enabled the museum to create modern displays telling the story of Kingston from its ancient origins. We are all proud of Kingston heritage and its historic collections, which contribute so much to the life of the community and its schools and we continue to collect for the future.�

• Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2PS. Open daily (not Wed or Sun), 10am-5pm. For more information, visit www.kingston.gov.uk/museums or call 020 8546 5386.

8) Hampton Court Palace

Ever wondered how it might feel to live like Royalty? Well, why not treat yourself… If you’ve got the money there are two self-catering apartments at the palace available to visitors for hire.

More traditionally, however, people tend to day trip to this stretch of the Thames to take in some of the olde English splendour of what is one of the world’s finest Royal Palaces. Built by Cardinal Wolsey, the palace is set in 60 acres of beautiful gardens and has been home to some of Britain’s most famous Kings and Queens.

Many a tour group has found that even equipped with a tour guide and London A-Z the palace’s world-famous maze is not for the faint hearted or easily disorientated. Getting lost as a child with an afternoon to waste might have been fun (and undoubtedly still is) - but holding up a bus load of expectant tourists as you puff and pant your way into another dead end could prove a little embarrassing…

• For more information, visit www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace or call 0870 751 5175.

9) Richmond Park

Those with a childhood love of the Disney movie Bambi will enjoy a visit to Richmond Park and its 650 or so free roaming deer. While the park was originally created for hunting, that past time has fortunately long since ended.

The park has changed little over the centuries and although despite now being surrounded by the town, the varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands are still full of life and colour.

The royal connections to this park probably go back further than any of the others, beginning with Edward (1272-1307), when the area was known as the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during Henry VII's reign.

• The park is open from 7am in the summer and 7.30 in the winter, and closes at dusk all year round. Visit www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park for more details.

10) Albany Park Canoe and Sailing Centre

With the summer on its way (hopefully…), you might decide to crack open the sun screen, don your wet suit and head out onto the water to burn off a little energy.

Albany Park canoe and sailing centre is based on the river between Kingston Bridge and Teddington Lock, and offers the perfect opportunity for watersports enthusiasts of all abilities, complete with kayaking, open canoeing, dinghy sailing, mountain biking and fully trained staff to ensure your safety at all times.

Don’t panic if you are not the best swimmer; everyone is required to wear a lifejacket anyway (which will be provided at the park), and if you want to stay dry there’s no requirement to capsize (although once you know what you’re doing it can be fun…).

• Albany Park Canoe and Sailing Centre, Albany Mews, off Albany Park Road, Kingston Upon Thames. For more information, visit Albany Park or call 020 8549 3066.

If you have a favourite place in Kingston that doesn't appear on the list why not join the Surrey Life community and add your views to the discussion