Guide to kingston
About Kingston
Kingston is both a vibrant Surrey market town and one of the liveliest Royal London Boroughs, sited on the banks of the River Thames 12 miles south west of the centre of London. An attractive blend of fine timber-framed Tudor buildings with modern stores and homes, it boasts great shopping, a colourful caf culture, thriving arts scene and great nightlife.
Kingston is a fascinating blend of old and new. First recorded in a Charter in 838, by the tenth century the town was established as the coronation place for Anglo Saxon kings. Today, it has a population of some 150,000, swelled in term-time by 20,000 students at the internationally renowned Kingston University and Kingston College. On average, over 300,000 visitors come to the town each week, attracted by the excellent variety of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities on offer.
Kingston's market town feel is preserved in its unique and interesting side streets, market square and riverside walkways.
The new riverside development at Charter Quay - with its mix of high quality residential accommodation, atmospheric restaurants, specialist retailers, theatre, performance and exhibition space - has expanded Kingston's traditional cultural centre around the ancient market place and church.
The Rotunda's mix of leisure and entertainment right next to train and bus stations includes a 14-screen cinema and 16-lane mega-bowl.
All major national and international retailers regularly use Kingston as a test bed for new concept stores and lines
A colourful mix of historic themed markets, street activities, contemporary retail outlets and blend of cafs, bars and restaurants, make Kingston Town Centre a popular regional shopping and entertainment destination.
Facts at a glance
- 19 million day time shoppers per year
- 3.9 million evening visitors per year
- 500 shops - and rising
- the 17th largest retail centre in the UK (3.5 million sq ft)
- the second most important shopping destination in London, after the West End
- number one shopping destination for south west London and Surrey