Lady’s Guide to Kingston upon Thames

Today I want to bring you my guide to Kingston upon Thames. This underrated town blurs the border between Greater London and Surrey, and it’s worth a visit for its vibrant markets, rich history, and great shops.

Kingston upon Thames

I’m here to speak at a travel blogging conference. I’ve traveled from London to Kingston upon Thames by train from Waterloo station. A 30-minute journey brings me right to the town, and I’m excited to explore.

After staying a night at the Crowne Plaza London – Kingston and giving a talk on blogging, I head out to discover the highlights of the town.

Kingston upon Thames Market Place

Lucky for me, it’s market day in Kingston upon Thames. The aptly named Market Place is full of stalls selling everything from French cheese to fresh ginger.

Inside the historic Market House, a vintage pop-up offers all things pink and pretty, while outside the gilded statue of Queen Anne surveys the square from above.

It’s the perfect place to start a day out in Kingston, and a great introduction to the town.

That’s not least because the Market Place is the heart of Kingston upon Thames. It’s been around since 1170, and used for everything from produce markets to public punishment.

It’s lined with historic buildings that span the centuries, from unassuming Tudor edifices that look like they date from the 19th century to ostentatious 19th-century ones that mock their real Tudor neighbors.

Making my way around the square, I pass by little shops and high street ones, drooling over cupcakes at a bakery as I go.

I pop into All Saints Church, with its lovely stained glass windows and 17th-century marble font attributed to Sir Christopher Wren.

Outside are remnants of older churches and buildings, which comes as no surprise given mentions of Kingston upon Thames date all the way back to 838 A.D. when King Egbert (good name!) held his Great Council here.

Historic Kingston upon Thames

And speaking of kings, not far from the Market Place is the famous Coronation Stone. In the 10th century, Kingston established itself as a coronation place and seven Anglo-Saxon kings were said to have been crowned on this stone.

The stone sits next to the Guildhall—home of the Royal Borough of Kingston Council—and the famous Clattern Bridge, the oldest bridge in Surrey still in use. It’s named after the clattering noise of horses’ hooves.

The Modern Town

The bridge is a short stroll from the Thames, where a more modern bridge spans the river. Along the waterfront, open-air cafes and restaurants like Le Comptoir Libanais and Bill’s spill their chairs out onto the walkway.

They offer guests views of the colorful boats floating in the distance, some of which transport passengers to Hampton Court Palace and Richmond, both of which are nearby.

But they’re not the only colorful things in Kingston upon Thames. There are also the independent shops in Crown Arcade that sell everything from custom jewelry to bespoke sofas.

And let’s not forget Out of Order, the bright red falling phone box sculpture on Old London Road that sits before eclectic antique shops, historic pubs, and vintage boutiques.

I continue my day out in Kingston upon Thames with a walk through the narrow streets and back to the Market Place, taking in more Tudor details and soaking up the centuries of secrets held by the alleys and walls.

The market is still in full swing, and as I walk though, I try to imagine how many fruits and cheeses, vegetables and meats the square has seen over its long existence.

Kingston upon Thames, London

Eventually I make my way from the town to the train station, where I travel quickly back into central London. As Kingston upon Thames recedes, I feel the spirits of kings and queens, coronation stones and Tudor houses coming with me.

The Market Place isn’t the only one with a memory of these things; visitors can take them home, too.

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