Welcome to Kington upon Thames

Royal Heritage

The name of Kingston itself is derived from a royal connection as it comes from the phrase Kinges Tun, meaning a royal farm or estate. The very first reference to the town was made in 838 where details of a royal council presided over by King Egbert were documented.

The town’s royal connection dates back over a thousand years and seven Saxon Kings are thought to have been crowned here. The Coronation Stone, Kingston’s most historic landmark, now sits in the grounds of Guildhall near the 12th century Clattern Bridge.

Historical Places and Sights

Ancient Market Place
Kingston’s history is full of references to hosting bustling markets. Since 1170 the town has been a major trading centre when the ‘new town’ was laid out south of an existing settlement around the original All Saints Church.

One of the earliest surviving records regarding the Market dates back to the start of the 13th century. It has been strengthened by several Royal Charters since then, notably one granted by Charles I in 1628 which forbade any other market to be held within a seven-mile radius. Today there are two permanent markets in the town and regular visiting markets including the festive Christmas Market and Continental Market.

Coronation Stone
In the 10th century, Kingston established itself as a coronation place of Kings and at least two, and possibly as many as seven, Anglo-Saxon Kings are said to have been crowned on the Coronation Stone.

Up until 1730 the stone resided in a Saxon Chapel of St Mary in the grounds of the current All Saints Church. In 1730, the Saxon Chapel collapsed and the stone was moved to various locations including the old Elizabethan Guildhall in the Market Place and then onto Assize Courts yard. In 1935 when the current Guildhall was built, the Coronation Stone was moved into the grounds next to the Hogsmill River which is where it still stands today.

Market House
Kingston’s Market House is a beautiful Grade II* listed building located in Kingston Town Centre, in the Ancient Market Place and is a well-loved landmark. It was originally built in 1838 by Charles Henman Senior to replace the Tudor Town Hall building. Francis Bird’s gilded statue of Queen Anne was transferred from the Tudor building to its present location on the front of the Market House. From its opening in 1840 the building was used as Kingston’s Guildhall, until being replaced by the present Guildhall in 1935. It was then used as the town’s Market House until 1995.

In April 2010, the management of Kingston Market House was taken on by Kingstonfirst, who aim to use the building as a community hub and information point, with space for meetings, exhibitions and events. The Market House is also home to the Tourist Information Centre.

Aviation Heritage

Aviation plays a major role in Kingston’s history as for most of the 20th century, Kingston was a famous centre for aircraft design and production. As a result, Kingston University still runs degree courses in Aeronautical Engineering.

Aircraft companies Sopwith, Hawker and British Aerospace were all based here and were responsible for a succession of outstanding aircraft which played key roles in the two world wars. The Sopwith Camel featured heavily in the First World War and the Hawker Hurricane played a crucial part in the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The jet age brought the Hawker Hunter, the Harrier ‘jump jet’, and the Hawk jet trainer, still used by the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team today.

To commemorate 100 years of Kingston’s aviation heritage – Kingston is holding an Aviation Festival in the Market Place from the 2nd to the 4th June.

Heritage comes alive

Kingston Museum
Kingston Museum and Heritage Service operates on two sites and comprises a Museum, Local History Room and an Archives Service which will tell you all you need to know about Kingston.

The fascinating Kingston Museum is housed in a beautiful, custom built building and has three permanent exhibitions, two of which, Ancient Origins and Town of Kings, tell the story of the borough from Saxon times. The third exhibition details the life and work of renowned Victorian photographer Eadweard Muybridge who was born in Kingston.

In the Art Gallery you will find a wide range of events in the exhibitions programme which include arts, crafts, photography and local history.

The museum also runs a programme of family fun events and educational workshops throughout the year and school holidays to keep children entertained.

Kingston’s archives and local studies collection is a unique and irreplaceable resource which has grown over the years to become the definitive collection on Kingston’s history. You can access the collection through the Local History Room at the North Kingston Centre and regular visitors include local historians, genealogists, schools and colleges. You can also ask the experts to help you uncover Kingston’s history as there is a research service available.

Kingston Museum 
Wheatfield Way 
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2PS

Tel: 020 8547 5006 
www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/leisure/museum.htm

Admission is Free

Opening Hours:
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	10.00am - 5.00pm
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	10.00am - 7.00pm
Friday-Saturday	10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday	Closed

Kingston Local History Room and Archives Room

46 North Kingston Centre
Richmond Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 5PE

Opening Hours:
Monday	10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Tuesday	10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 9:00pm (Term Time - 7pm other times)
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Friday	10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday	Closed

Tel: 020 8547 6738
www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/leisure/museum.htm

Guided Tours
Join a fascinating tour of Kingston and see up close all the historical delights this ancient town has to offer. Your knowledgeable tour guide will uncover the key stories and characters of this ancient borough and the insightful tours are recommended for visitors and residents alike. Kingston tours take place at 2:30pm every Sunday over the summer (1st April to end September) and over the winter (October to March) the tours run on the first Sunday of the month. Tours depart from the Parish Church Gates (All Saints Church) in the Market Place, last about an hour and a half and cost just £3.

Kingston Tour Guides
Tel: 020 8224 5678
www.kingstontourguides.org.uk

All Saints Church
All Saints in Kingston is a focal point of the town and sits between the Ancient Market Place and John Lewis. There has been a church on this site since the 9th century, when it was originally part of the Saxon royal estate.

Very few churches have a history as rich and as fascinating as All Saints in Kingston. Key events in the church’s history include Egbert, King of Wessex, holding his great council here in 838 and in the 10th century, Athelstan and Ethelred the Unready were two of the seven Saxon kings of England said to be crowned here. Construction of the present church began in 1120 under the orders of Henry I, and almost every century since then some extension or addition has been made, making the architecture of this beautiful church truly captivating.

The church boasts a 14th century wall-painting of St. Blaise, the impressive 16th century tomb of Sir Anthony Benn, a 17th century marble font attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, twelve bells and an 18th century Carillon. Other highlights include the great west window of the 19th century, and the magnificent Frobenius organ installed in 1988, plus a memorial chapel to the East Surrey Regiment. The church is open seven days a week, with services on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

All Saints Church
Tel: 020 8546 5964
www.allsaintskingston.co.uk