Welcome to Kington upon Thames

Kingston Riverside

The Queen’s Promenade runs from Kingston Bridge to Surbiton. This stretch offers the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and meander alongside the Thames. Whilst taking a stroll along this strip, you will pass the Rose Theatre and Charter Quay.

In 2001, Kingston’s riverside went through a transformation with completion of the Charter Quay development. Charter Quay is easily accessible from the Ancient Market Place and has grown to become an idyllic retreat with a range of bars, cafes, restaurants and luxury apartments. With views over the Thames, it provides a tranquil setting after some retail therapy.

Kingston Riverside Events

Kingston Regatta and River Festival
Kingston’s Regatta has been a fixture in Kingston’s sporting calendar for over 150 years, and brings together schools and clubs to compete in 300 rowing races. Many Olympians have graced the event as they began their rowing careers, so it provides an opportunity to look out for future rowing superstars. The Kingston River Festival runs alongside the Regatta and highlights Kingston Maritime heritage.

Dragon Boat Festival
In July each year, Kingston is home to its own Dragon Boat Festival with teams from across the country competing in this unique event, with drums, shouting and colourful boats it is an impressive event to watch. This year the event is due to take place on Sunday 15th July 2012, for more information visit http://kingstonrotaryclub.org.uk/dragon-boat-challenge.

Dragon Boat Racing has more than 2000 years of history with ancient Chinese origins. Today Dragon Boat racing involves teams of up to twenty paddlers in a 40 foot boat with a drummer and a helm, racing to the finish line to victory. Kingston is fortunate to have its own Dragon Boat team the Kingston Royals, who participate in dragon boat races across the UK.

Kingston Royals
www.kingstonroyals.com

River Boat Trips

Kingston has almost 3 miles of one of the most attractive stretches of the River Thames. There are two main river boat companies with regular services operating between Kingston, Hampton Court and Richmond throughout the summer months.

Parr Boats
Parr Boats has been operating services between Kingston and Hampton Court for several generations. The 25 minute cruise offers views of sites such as Raven’s Ait, Thames Ditton Island and Hampton Court Palace.

Parr Boat Hire
Queen's Promenade,
Portsmouth Road,
Kingston, KT1 2ND

www.parrboats.co.uk

Turk Launches
Turk Launches have been operating boat services on the Thames for more than 300 years, with regular cruises between Kingston, Hampton Court Palace and Richmond. The river services are in operation from Saturday 31st March 2012, with up to 45 river trips running each day. Some of the highlights of the cruises are the views of Hampton Court Palace and its gardens, Thames Ditton Island, Kingston’s cosmopolitan waterfront, Teddington lock, Eel Pie Island and Richmond Hill. Turks run events throughout the year, including Disco Cruises, afternoon Jazz Cruises and Turks supports the Kingstonfirst summer family event- Thumbs Up It’s Thursday.

Turk Launches
Town End Pier
68 High Street
KT1 1HN

020 8546 2434
www.turks.co.uk

Westminster Passenger Services
The Westminster Passenger Services Association operates a scheduled service from Westminster to Kew, Richmond and Hampton Court. The boats pass through Kingston on route to Hampton Court, on arrival at Hampton Court Kingston is a short walk away along the Thames Path.

Westminster Passenger Services Association (Upriver) Limited
020 7930 2062
www.wpsa.co.uk

Boat Hire

Ditton Cruisers & Harts Cruisers
Ditton Cruisers and Hart Cruisers are a family run business with a fleet of nine boats to hire, ranging in capacities – with the largest catering for 12 adults.

Ditton Cruisers
Taggs Boatyard
44 Summer Road,
Thames Ditton
KT7 0QQ

Harts Cruisers
Harts Boatyard
Portsmouth Road
Surbiton
KT6 4HJ

020 8398 2119
www.taggsboatyard.co.uk

Parr Boats
Parr Boats has 3 vessels available for private charter. The Hurley and the Tilbury Hope are also available as wedding transport and for organised trips. Parrs also offer an ash scattering service.

Parr Boat Hire
Queen's Promenade,
Portsmouth Road,
Kingston,
KT1 2ND

www.parrboats.co.uk

Turk Launches
Turks offers private day boat hire or evening charters, which travel along a scenic stretch of the river Thames between Hampton Court, Richmond and Kingston. Turk Launches has vessels to accommodate party sizes from 20 to 150 guests. Each vessel has a bar and a dance floor, which is suitable for Wedding receptions, birthdays, corporate events and black tie evenings.

Turk Launches
Town End Pier
68 High Street
KT1 1HN

020 8546 2434
http://www.turks.co.uk/

Local Boat/Yacht clubs

Albany Park Canoe and Sailing Centre
The Albany Park Canoe and Sailing Centre offer activity sessions for Schools and Youth organisations. They offer courses in kayaking, canoeing and bell boating.

Albany Park Canoe and Sailing Centre
Albany Mews, off Albany Park Road,
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 5SL

020 8549 3066

Kingston Rowing Club
Kingston Rowing Club prides itself as one of the world’s oldest and most successful amateur rowing club. The club caters for all from novices to Olympians.

Kingston Rowing Club
The Boat House
Lower Ham Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 5AU

www.kingstonrc.co.uk

Kingston Royals
The Kingston Royal is one of Britain’s oldest and most successful dragon boat teams.

Kingston Royals
The Royal Canoe Club
Trowlock Way
Teddington
TW11 9QZ

www.kingstonroyals.com

Minima Yacht Club
The Minima Yacht Club is a low cost dinghy sailing and canoeing club open to all abilities, based in the centre of Kingston. On Wednesday nights in the summer, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon the club runs races and canoeing activities on the River. Whether you want to participate or watch the races Minima is worth a visit.

Minima Yacht Club
48a High Street,
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1HN

www.minimayc.co.uk

Thames Sailing Club
Founded in 1870, the Thames Sailing Club is the UK’s oldest river sailing club. The club races on Sundays mornings and Tuesdays evenings from April to October, so something to enjoy along the river.

Thames Sailing Club
Portsmouth Road
Surbiton
KT6 4HH

www.thamessailingclub.co.uk

Visitor Mooring Information

If you have your own boat, there are free moorings available for up to 24 hours at Townend Wharf and John Lewis Kingston and fee paying moorings are available at Charter Quay.

For more information contact Kingston Council on 020 8547 5302 or visit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames website.

Mooring Information

1. Townend Wharf (finger moorings at southern edge of town centre): Provides free moorings for up to 24 hours. No services provided.
2. John Lewis Quay (outside John Lewis, adjacent to Kingston Bridge): Stop and shop provides free moorings in the daytime (up to 2 hours between 9am and 8pm) and free overnight moorings if you arrive after 8pm. No return within 24hours. No services provided.
3. Charter Quay (moorings outside Brown’s): Provides moorings priced at £2 up to an hour rising to £20 for 24 hours. On arrival, call the Clamp & Tow Services Control Room on 020 8751 1676. Out of hours, payment can be made over the phone. During normal hours, a Patrol Officer can be dispatched to take payment and issue a permit for the duration of the stay.

View information on the location of these sites here.

Thames Path

The Thames Path follows the River Thames for 184 miles, from the source in the Cotswolds through London. Due to Kingston’s riverside location, it offers visitors the perfect opportunity to travel towards Hampton Court or Richmond. The path provides stunning views of the river and key monuments. Books about the Path are available in Kingston’s Tourist Information Centre .

Thames Path
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath

Useful Contacts

River Thames Alliance
The River Thames Alliance main aim is to implement the Thames Waterway Plan and kick start co-ordinated planning to rejuvenate the River Thames.

River Thames Alliance
www.visitthames.co.uk/text/1921/river_thames_alliance.html

River User Group
The River User groups allow you to identify river developments close to a particular location. Kingston falls into the River User group 8 (Bell Weir to Teddington).

River User Group
www.riverusergroups.co.uk
rug8@riverusergroups.co.uk

Visit Thames
Visit Thames website highlights the various towns along the River Thames and provides inspiration on things to do along the river.

Visit Thames
www.visitthames.co.uk