Best Things to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames, UK

First time visitors to England will understandably want to make London their base for exploring that vibrant and historic metropolis. But there are many other urban centres within a short train ride of London that are worth discovering and have a history of their own to be celebrated. Plus, spending time in one of these ‘commuter towns’ offers the chance to experience local living at a relaxed pace, while still having easy access to London. We had the opportunity to make Kingston-Upon-Thames our base for a recent visit to England, and we discovered that this town on the banks of England’s famous river has plenty to offer besides its proximity to London. And like the name “Kingston” suggests, there’s a significant royal connection to this place that has earned the city its place on the map. If you do decide to spend some time in this pretty city, here are the best things to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

King Aethelstan’s Town

Before there was the country of England that we know today, there were centuries of conflict between various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and Viking settlers vying for control and territory on the island. It was only in the early 10th century when one ruler, Aethelstan, united all of these factions to become the first King of all England, that the country came under the rule of one man.

That coronation of Aethelstan took place in Kingston-Upon-Thames on September 4, 925 A.D. Sandwiched between the two rival kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex, the market town that is now Kingston probably seemed like the perfect location to hold such a ceremony, and as it turns out, the town held that honour for generations to come: in fact, it is believed that six more kings were crowned here after Aethelstan. One mysterious artifact from those coronations still exists in Kingston-Upon-Thames today: the Coronation Stone.

See Kingston’s Fabled Coronation Stone

Legend has it that before he was crowned King of England, Aethelstan was looking for a suitable symbol for his coronation, similar to the Stone of Destiny upon which the kinds of Scotland (and before that, Ireland) were crowned. Aethelstan’s own name means “Noble Stone” so he probably had even more reason to incorporate this idea into his ceremony. The stone chosen was a large sarsen stone (similar to the ones at Stonehenge), and on the appropriate day at the present day location of All Saints Church in Kingston, Aethelstan was named Rex totius Britanniaei (King of all Britain) and given a crown, not a helmet, as a symbol of his new title.

TIP: A replica of Aethelstan’s crown and sceptre can be seen today inside All Saints Church.

The Coronation Stone moved around the city for centuries, and was even used as a mounting block at one time to assist riders with getting onto horses. But in 1850 the fabled Coronation Stone was moved to its present location in front of Kingston’s Town Hall (the Guildhall), where it was placed on a plinth carved with the names of all the kings crowned here, and surrounded by a blue fence.

How much of the legend of this Coronation Stone is factually true remains a mystery to this day, but one thing is certain: the stone is definitely comprised of the same material as Stonehenge. So that alone makes it special in my books and worth checking out.

TIP: Although many believed the name “Kingston” is derived from ‘King’s Town’, the origin of the name comes from Old English Cyninges-tun and translates to “royal settlement”. Either way, this was Aethelstan’s Town! We happened to be visiting during the 1100th anniversary of his crowning, and there was an historical encampment and medieval fair happening in the city park that brought all of that medieval life back to life in 2025.

Visit All Saints Church

Built in the 12th century, All Saints Church was originally linked to the older St. Mary’s chapel that sat adjacent to it (where it was believed by many that the Coronation Stone was actually housed). But after St. Mary’s collapsed in 1730, All Saints Church became the main religious structure in Kingston. Inside the church you’ll find beautiful high gothic-style stained glass windows (most of which date to Victorian times), telling the church’s oldest stories through brilliant colour and design.

The seven English Kings said to have been crowned in Kingston are also commemorated here in another colourful display, this time in beautifully embroidered life-sized panels. Known as the Seven Saxon Kings Embroidery Project, the works are a contemporary legacy created by artists Jacky Puzey and Beatrice Mayfield. The panels bring Kingston’s royal heritage to life through these depictions of the seven kings, and great care has been taken with respect to the museum-quality materials and techniques to display these works of art so that they will become a lasting legacy. At the time of writing, 6 of the seven Kings’ panels have been completed, with the final remaining king, “Ethelred the Unready” not surprisingly the last to be finished!

TIP: All Saints has a cute cafe right inside the church where they serve drinks and freshly baked goodies. it’s a quiet local place to enjoy a cuppa after touring the church interior.

Browse the Historic Antique Market in downtown Kingston

One of the reasons why early Kingston was so important as a thriving market town was its strategic position on the banks of the Thames, and for having one of the only bridges for crossing the river this close to London. The oldest of four official ‘Royal Boroughs’, it was also home to annual fairs granted by Royal Charter, trade guilds, a weekly cattle market and centre for wool trade.

The heart of all this commerce was the main square of course, where today you can find a modern-day market that sells fresh baked goods, fruits and vegetables, fish, flowers and more every day. Come at lunch and you can choose from a variety of international food stalls, too, and all around the main square you can find other retailers, restaurants and cafes.

Go Shopping!

The main square in Kingston may have evolved over the centuries from its medieval market days of selling cattle and sheep, but one of the best things to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames today is still shopping. At least this must be the case, judging by the number of people who come here from around the area to indulge in a little retail therapy, especially on weekends. Beyond the independent boutiques and stores around the Antique Market, there’s also a huge multi-level indoor shopping mall located nearby with all the popular brands and chains where you can indulge in a little retail therapy.

If you really want a deal, however, the best ones can be had at the charitable thrift stores that can be found everywhere in England. Old London Road in Kingston is home to several of these non-profit stores, whose proceeds go to benefit hospitals, medical research, or specific hospices or foundations. If you love thrifting for second hand clothing, housewares and more, these shops are where you can find the finds that take the sting out of any exchange rate with the British Pound.

Check out the Art Installations in Kingston-Upon-Thames

Beyond its centuries-old history, Kingston-Upon-Thames is also a vibrant creative city as well, as evidenced by some of the art installations you can find downtown. One of the most recognizable is the domino-like series of red telephone booths, titled ‘Out of Order’ by David Mach. Located close to Old London Road, this installation is synonymous with Kingston, and was recently refurbished to keep it looking great.

Another series of 10 sculptures located around the downtown area is the ‘Wild Kingston’ project, created by artists Gillie and Marc. Scattered around many of the pedestrian streets and sidewalks, the sculptures are meant to highlight the plight of endangered animals, and while the sculptures are often whimsical, they reflect a more serious problem.

Stroll Kingston’s Waterfront

Having an enviable position right on the banks of the river Thames means that Kingston-Upon-Thames has access to a long waterfront area where residents and visitors alike can enjoy recreational walking and cycling paths, which are part of the National Thames Path. In fact, it’s one of the best things to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

Pub-crawlers and foodies will love Riverside Walk, the promenade section of the waterfront closest to downtown which is home to cafes, pubs and restaurants and is a lively place to enjoy outdoor patios day or night. There are also pretty photo ops of the area where the Hogsmill River that runs through town empties into the Thames.

Take A Boat Trip to Hampton Court Palace

Want to get out to see more of the river? Kingston has a couple of options for visitors who want to get out onto the Thames in the warmer months. Go Boat is located right on Riverside Walk and rents private boats by the hour for people who want to be their own captains. There are also companies like Turk Launches that offer scenic cruises on larger boats for those who prefer to leave the driving to others and enjoy the views with a drink in hand.

If you want to combine a boat cruise with a visit to an historic landmark, Turk Launches has departures from Kingston that take passengers to Hampton Court Palace, King Henry VIII’s pleasure palace about 3 miles downriver. Our Hampton Court article explains why the Palace is an absolute must-do for any history (or luxury) lover, and you can always do a one-way cruise and then taxi back, so you aren’t tied to any boat departure schedules.

Visit Bushy Park and Enjoy Nature

Another great thing to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames, especially if you like nature is to cross the river and explore Bushy Park, the second largest of greater London’s Royal Parks, located not far from Kingston Bridge.

Bushy Park was once part of King Henry’s massive Hampton Court estate, where the King would regularly hunt deer for food and sport, so today this park is still home to protected herds of wild deer who roam freely about the 1100-acre grounds. Keep your eyes open and you’ll even see rare white stags, which were once thought to be otherworldly symbols of a spiritual quest or link between human and supernatural worlds, and were often associated with royalty after King Richard II adopted the white hart as a symbol for his personal badge.

TIP: Although the deer are used to people, they are still wild, so do not approach or try to feed them, especially during birthing season (spring) or rutting season in August when they can be particularly unpredictable.

Bushy Park is also home to ten ponds where you can see all kinds of waterfowl along pretty tree-lined waterways where you might also see fishermen coming to try their luck.

A large fountain with a golden statue of the goddess Diana, is one of the primary architectural features in the Park which sits as the focal point between two major vistas: Chestnut Avenue and Lime Avenue, part of The Great Avenue plan designed by the architect Christopher Wren who renovated Hampton Court Palace and its estate in the early 1700s.

Hit up a Pub or Grab a Bite. Or Both.

Whether you’ve worked up a thirst strolling through Bushy Park or bargain-hunting on Old London Road, when it’s time for an adult beverage, one of the best things to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames is enjoy a drink at one of the city’s many pubs. Riverside Walk is a great option for an outdoor drink, especially on a warm summer day or night, where patios at places like The Bishop give you the opportunity to both people-watch and enjoy the river breezes.

Or if you are looking for a neighbourhood local with a great outdoor patio (and known for its Sunday roasts every weekend), Spring Grove Pub fits the bill perfectly.

Of course, as an Italian food lover, I can’t talk about the best things to do in Kingston-Upon-Thames without mentioning an amazing Italian restaurant, too. Al Forno fits this bill nicely, but we aren’t the only ones who appreciate their excellent food and service, so reservations are a must. And when you’re finished your meal, do like the Italians do: grab an ice cream next door at Bloom Gelato, and finish off your evening with a decadent sweet treat and a stroll.

A Town Fit for a King

Kingston-Upon-Thames may be known to many as an affluent commuter town, or a nice place for locals to live ‘outside of London’. But our stay in the city showed us that this is a great place to settle in for a few days as a visitor, too. After all, Kingston was chosen by seven English Kings as the place to be crowned, which would be reason enough for a visit. Add to that the town’s historic downtown, pretty waterfront location, urban amenities and proximity to places like Hampton Court Palace, and visitors will have more than enough to do while experiencing England beyond just its capital. Of course, when you do want to amp it up and head into London, a 30-minute train ride lands you right at the heart of it all at Waterloo Station. Maybe those kings were onto something all those centuries ago.