Kingston upon Thames is one of only five Royal Boroughs in England and Wales.
Its close relationship with successive monarchs began more than a thousand years
ago with a great Council presided over by King Egbert in 838 and with the
coronation of seven Anglo-Saxon kings. There were seven Saxon Kings crowned at Kingston between AD 900 and 1016. Of
them Aethelstan was the most accomplished. The Kingston-upon-Thames Coronation Stone was the place where the
Kings of England were crowned over
1,000 years ago.
A historic royal borough on the southern banks of the
River Thames, Kingston
was formerly part of the county of
Surrey, but is now part of
Greater London.
It is both a vibrant market town and one of the liveliest London
boroughs, situated 12 miles south west of the
centre of London. The town boasts superb shopping, a colourful café culture,
thriving arts scene and great nightlife, set amongst an attractive blend of fine
timber-framed Tudor buildings and contemporary store fronts. A colourful mix of
daily market stalls, street activities, varied retail
outlets and blend of cafés, bars and restaurants, make Kingston town centre a
popular regional shopping and entertainment destination.
A guide to the best things to do and see in Kingston: