What to do in an hour
Go shopping...
Kingston is famed for its extensive range of shops, markets and services. A mecca for shoppers, with over 400 stores including John Lewis and Bentalls department stores, its claim to be the premier retail centre in southeast England is well justified.
Over the past decade, substantial investment has created 3.5 million sq ft of retail floor space, including Eden Walk, Clarence Street, and the award-winning Bentall Centre. These larger retail areas combine well with smaller specialists, including the Ancient Market for vegetables, fruit and fish and the Monday Market on the old Cattle Market for general goods. Yet it still preserves its small town feel, with unique and interesting side streets of niche retailers and well-established late night and Sunday shopping.
The Bentall Centre
www.thebentallcentre-shopping.com
With over 85 shops and thirteen million visitors a year, the building is almost as impressive as the shopping. Its spectacular atrium is higher than the nave of Westminster Abbey and the Aston Webb faade (inspired by Wren's design for Hampton Court) is breathtaking. Inside, the Centre is beautifully designed with perforated white metalwork containing some 2,000 fibre optic lights - at night it's just like shopping under the stars. This award winning design helps create the perfect atmosphere for shopping - light, air-conditioned and entirely smoke free.
Eden Walk
www.edenwalkshopping.co.uk
Open 7 days a week with late nights every Thursday and Friday, there is shopping for everyone. Stroll between high street stores such as British Home Stores, Habitat and Boots, relax in the square centre or recharge your batteries at one of the many cafes.
Clarence Street
Clarence Street is the pedestrianised heart of Kingston. With John Lewis at its river end, it includes a huge choice of fashion shops to suit all tastes and pockets, including Top Shop, Monsoon, Next, Wallis and Jane Norman. When you need to relax, just sit and watch the street entertainers.
Old London Road
Just a short walk from the heart of the town centre and easily identified by its famous landmark toppling telephone boxes, is this eclectic mix of unusual and interesting shops. These include Kingston Antiques Centre, which houses 90 dealers on two floors selling interesting items from 5 to 1,000; The Tile and Mosaic Company offering a wide range of tiles - off the shelf or made to your own design; and m2m Interiors - a new store selling high quality hand-made and bespoke furniture from Lithuania.
Markets
The regular Monday Morning Market held on the Cattle Market car park off Fairfield North every Monday including bank holidays (except Christmas) from 8am - 2pm, sells everything from fashion and tools to food and plants.
Kingston's Ancient Market stalls open 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9am - 5pm, selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, flowers, clothing and pet supplies, plus much much more.
Eat and drink...
Kingston has a vast array of cafs and restaurants offering mouth-watering cuisine from around the world to suit every taste and budget.
West of the town and Market Place with river frontage, Charter Quay is a great place to relax with friends and family and eat alfresco at Carluccio's, the Ha Ha bar or Jo Shmo's. Or try the numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants with tables overlooking the River Thames between Kingston Bridge and Queens promenade with La Tasca offering Spanish Tapas, the award winning Riverside Vegetaria and Frere Jacques for French cuisine.
There is also a great selection of cafes in Fife Road and The Apple market
Be entertained...
The Rotunda is a stunning modern entertainment complex built over 4 levels, ideally located on Clarence Street in Kingston upon Thames directly opposite the mainline railway station. Open 7 days a week until late, it offers a 14 screen Odeon cinema - the largest in the UK - David Lloyd Leisure club, 16-lane Megabowl as well as a choice of 7 restaurants.
Kingfisher Leisure Centre
A 25-metre leisure pool, with deck level beach area, fitness studio, aerobics and fitness classes, a health suite and squash courts.
Take a walk...
No visit to Kingston would be complete without a stroll along the riverside - feed the ducks and have an ice cream on Queens's promenade and, in summertime, listen to a bandstand concert in Canbury Gardens.
For more information visit Kingston's Tourist Information Centre:
Market House
Market Place
Kingston upon Thames
Tel: 020 8547 5592
Web site: www.kingston.gov.uk/leisure/tourism
Email: tourist.information@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday.