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Traffic Kingston Upon Thames

•   Kingston Upon Thames
• Nearby: Kingston Upon Thames Kingston Richmond Upon Thames Twickenham Richmond Surbiton

Current traffic around Kingston Upon Thames

The following traffic incidents and congestion for Kingston Upon Thames have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

Traffic in Nearby Villages

• Coombe (0.33mi)
• Norbiton (0.7mi)
• Kingston Vale (1.12mi)
• Copse Hill (1.57mi)
• New Malden (1.58mi)
• Hampton Wick (1.66mi)
• Cottenham Park (1.69mi)
• Beverley Beck (1.78mi)
• Berrylands (1.9mi)
• Ham (1.96mi)
• Putney Vale (1.99mi)
• Motspur Park (2.11mi)
• Teddington (2.15mi)
• Crooked Billet (2.18mi)
• Petersham (2.4mi)
• Surbiton (2.43mi)
• Seething Wells (2.43mi)
• West Barnes (2.45mi)
• Bushey Mead (2.52mi)
• Raynes Park (2.52mi)
• Richmond (2.63mi)
• Old Malden (2.68mi)
• Cole Park (2.84mi)
• Putney Heath (2.86mi)

Kingston Upon Thames

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The Best Things to do in Kingston Upon Thames, London

June 22, 2021

A new hotel opening prompted me to head to southwest London and fall in love with Kingston all over again. Don’t overlook this characterful neighbourhood. Instead, allow me to show you the best things to do in Kingston Upon Thames in London.

See also 31 Unusual Things to do in London  and the neighbourhood guide to London.

Table of Contents

The Best Things to do in Kingston Upon Thames

Why kingston.

Just 30 minutes by train from central London, Kingston upon Thames pulls off something of a magic trick. Part stand-alone neighbourhood village, with unique medieval buildings and history. Part seamless modern space with shopping options to convert even the most devour of puritanical monks into the 21st century consumer capital.

Kingston works as a launchpad into the world of history, shopping and leafy riverside walks. And though I lived there during my doctoring days, a new hotel just outside the busy centre brought me back.

Let me tell you all about the best things to do in Kingston, as well as take you through a review of the new hotel, The Kingston 1. And just before you think there are too many kings in that sentence…my address used to be Mr & Dr King, Kingston Hill, Kingston. For real.

What is there to do in Kingston upon Thames?

What is Kingston upon Thames famous for?

Here’s the short version:

• Leafy riverside walks and cafes
• The Bentalls Centre and every shop you could dream of
• Wild open parks like Richmond Park and Bushy Park
• Hampton Court Palace – the former home of King Henry VIII

Disclosure: if you book or buy through any of the links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Some, but not all, of the experiences mentioned were gifted. However, as ever, as always, we keep the right to write what we like and make our own recommendations. There’s just no point otherwise!

When should you visit Kingston upon Thames?

You’ll find plenty of things to do in Kingston Upon Thames all year around. However, if lazing by the river is high on your agenda, then your best bet is during the summer months of May to September. Although, as with everything to do with the weather in Britain: nothing is guaranteed.

The Best Things to do in Kingston upon Thames, London

Browse Kingston Ancient Market

On any day of the week, head to Ancient Market Place Kingston to find Kingston’s market going strong. It’s been going strong since around 1170 or so, selling flowers, fresh vegetables, pastries and street food. Each winter, twinkling lights and sugar dust turn Kingston Market into one of the best Christmas Markets in London.

Stroll along the riverside

A beautiful path meanders along the banks of the Thames, dotted with cafes and restaurants and under the watchful eye of mallard ducks and swans. Watch rowing boats glide past and think about how much history has taken place just upstream and downstream of this spot.

Shop in the gleaming Bentall Centre

I’m not the first to notice the similarity between houses of worship of the past and shopping centres of the present. But following that line of thought makes the Bentall Centre the St Paul’s Cathedral or Notre Dame of shopping malls.

Gleaming in geometric white, the Bentall Centre is home to more than 1000 different brands in more than 75 shops and stores. Even if shopping is not your thing, it’s worth paying a visit to marvel at the design.

Shop in the independent boutiques

While the Bentall Centre and the Ancient Market are focal talking points, for obvious reasons, Kingston’s trading and shopping offering runs beyond those two. You’ll find specialist shops for old vinyl records, craft beer, haberdashery and more as well as the fresh produce of the market and big names of the Bentall Centre and High Street.

Take architecture tours

One of the best things to do in Kingston upon Thames in London involves travelling back through time through bricks and mortar. From the gleaming, modern Bentall Centre to the flavours of Kingston’s ancient market and the All Saints Church, you can spot sculptures, facades, shields and all kinds of architectural accoutrements.

But all is not as it appears. Take the Jack Wills building above, full of dark Tudor beams and saints and shields. And although Hampton Court Palace, a Tudor stronghold, lies just across the river, this Tudor facade is, well, a facade.

It was constructed during the Victorian era to add a sense of grandeur to this meeting place of Saxon Kings.

You can walk around Kingston yourself easily enough, but to get more from the experience, try out an architectural tour like this.

Visit the Rose Theatre

The Rose Theatre in Kingston takes its inspiration from the Rose Theatre of the first Elizabethan era, a place where Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe saw their work come to life. This new version has a few more comforts than the original, however. You’ll notice a roof and some comfortable modern seats. Thankfully.

Sip cocktails and dine at the Kingston 1

In the name of nothing but research, I caught up with an old friend to try out the new cocktails at Solo Restaurant at the Kingston One Hotel. Freshly made, the Solo Martini had a sense of sophistication, while the Pornstar Martini had a dreadful name but refreshing, pomegranate taste.

You can also dine here and sip cocktails elsewhere but more about that later.

Roam around Richmond Park

One of the best things to do in Kingston upon Thames involves enjoying the outdoor activities along the river and in Richmond Park. When I lived in Kingston, I went cycling every morning through Richmond Park. It’s one of the Royal Parks, with free access and maintained gardens, cycle paths and hiking routes.

If you go there quietly, you’ll likely see deer wandering through the grass.

Visit Hampton Court Palace

Ah, Hampton Court Palace. The huge, imposing former home of one of England’s most notorious of monarchs: King Henry VIII. Yes, he of the six wives, the split with Rome and the reformation and the series involving Jonathan Rhys Meyers, depending on your preference for history and pop culture.

Originally owned by Henry’s most trusted adviser, Cardinal Wolsey, it became Henry’s as the former slipped from power and the high stakes nature of Tudor life took its toll.

Several other royals lived here afterwards, but it’s the Tudor period that keeps the crowds coming back and trying to make sense of it all.

The Tudor Kitchens

A Tudor soundtrack greets you as you first head under the arch and across the cobblestones. Props and displays list the banqueting feast orders and provide a glimpse into the daily lives of the staff who worked here.

Elsewhere, you can see the small chapel where royal christenings and funerals took place, as well as the grand hall where various queens took turns at being alive and well before things soon took a turn for the worse.

Planning a trip to Hampton Court Palace

Have I mentioned yet that it’s a big, big place? Plan on giving yourself at least half a day to make your way around. Perhaps even a full day if you’re a big fan and want to spend plenty of time in the gardens.

During normal times, you’ll find a functioning cafe and car park, as well as toilets and plenty of benches.

Where to Stay in Kingston upon Thames, London

You’ll find plenty of options for somewhere to stay in Kingston, from vacation rentals to budget and business hotels.

Yet I’d like to highlight the Kingston 1, a boutique spot just far enough from the crazy centre to give you some peace, but close enough to walk to in less than 10 minutes. Here’s my review of the Kingston 1 hotel.

The Kingston 1 Hotel Review

Describing itself as a “new hotel, neighbourhood restaurant and bar off the beaten track,” the Kingston 1 is a whole lotta fun.

It’s hardly off the beaten track at all, being just ten minutes walk from the Bentall Centre. But it is far enough away that you feel as though you’re in a real London neighbourhood, not a tourist trap.

The vibe is understated modern cool but it’s definitely not pretentious. With 22 rooms, it’s small but not tiny but it does hold a hallowed resource when it comes to London hotels. Limited, but some, parking spaces available.

It is, as they say, ideal for staycationers, foodies and business travellers.

Decked out in cool white and charcoal, with splashes of blue and gold, the decor is calming in each of the 22 rooms. Two suites provide an additional living area and premium bar area, while the other guest rooms come as Standard Double, Standard King, Executive Double and Executive King.

You’ll hear the authentic London soundtrack outside and it’s still a busy spot. Personally, I find this soothing and enjoy the sense of place, but if you’re looking for silence and solitude, it’s wise to pack some ear plugs.

Toiletries come from The White Company’s Noir collection and, to many a woman’s relief, include conditioner as well as the standard shampoo, shower gel and body lotion supplies.

The Restaurant

The main restaurant, Solo at the Kingston 1, shrugs off the bland feel of many a hotel restaurant with innovative decor and creative food.

Open to the public, including for breakfast and brunch, Solo ups its game further on Thursday to Saturday. Then Head Chef Marco Palazzo from The Hoxton and Jamie’s Italian brings out his chef’s menu, a mix of Italian technique with local British produce.

I chose the signature charred octopus tentacle with olive tapenade, while my friend chose the spinach and ricotta cannelloni. I then opted for the rib eye steak and finished off with the chocolate fondant with hazelnut praline.

The open plan ground floor moves from restaurant to cafe to lounge bar and reception, making good use of the space and switching atmospheres as it goes.

The cocktails are divine. Especially the horribly named but tangy-sweet pornstar martini.

What I Loved

• The cool decor in the rooms and warm and welcoming lounge area.
• The friendly, attentive staff.
•  The parking space!
• The fantastic location to get out and explore.
• The charred octopus.
• The cocktail list.

What To Know

• There’s no lift (elevator) so you need to carry luggage upstairs.
• You’ll hear the sounds of London life through the windows.

How to Book

Rooms start at £120 GBP. Email [email protected]

Getting to Kingston upon Thames

Kingston upon Thames sits in greater London on the River Thames, just 12 miles from Westminster and 25 minutes by train to London Waterloo. Kingston has its own station but you may find more frequent connections from nearby Surbiton station and Norbiton station. All three stations lie within zone 6 and can be accessed with the Oyster Card. Surbiton town centre is quieter than Kingston, so I wouldn’t recommend a stay there unless you have a specific reason to go there.

If driving in London freaks you out, bear in mind that the roads around Kingston upon Thames are more genteel than those around Marble Arch and Oxford Circus.

Kingston is close to the M3, A3 and M4 and only 8 miles from the M25. Parking is relatively easy, with numerous car parks, but costs can be high. You can also easily drive from central Kingston upon Thames to Hampton Court Palace, which has its own car park.

Kingston’s closest airport is the international behemoth Heathrow Airport, with good bus and taxi connections between the two. You can also, of course, travel to Gatwick Airport or London City Airport, but the connection will take longer.

More on Travel in the United Kingdom

• 31 Unusual things to do in London
• How to spend 72 hours in London: a 3 day London itinerary
• How to make the best of fall in London
• London nicknames and what they mean
• What is London famous for?
• How to plan the perfect Cotswolds weekend itinerary.
• Quite simply, the best places to visit in England.
• The best things to do in Harrogate, the spa town of the North

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London flooding: Travel chaos as roads and stations closed after 'hour-long deluge'

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for a large part of southern England, stretching from Devon in the west, all along the south coast as far as East Anglia and as far north as Cambridgeshire and almost to Bristol.

By Russell Hope, news reporter

Tuesday 13 July 2021 09:45, UK

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People in London have faced delays getting home after flash floods following heavy rainfall closed several train and Underground stations.

Euston Station, one of the city's largest transport hubs, was closed after the intense downpours on Monday evening.

Heavy rainfall also forced Chalk Farm and Hampstead Underground stations in the north of the capital, and Wimbledon in the south, to close.

Never seen people swimming in Primrose Hill before! pic.twitter.com/c7crmzgzK1 — Tom Foot (@tomfoot1) July 12, 2021

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "The line between Watford Junction and Euston has been closed and engineers are on site inspecting the track as the water recedes. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will have trains on the move again.

"We would advise anyone travelling this evening to check with their train operator or the National Rail Enquiries website for the latest information."

The flooding problems appear to be concentrated in southwest and northwest London, including boroughs such as Richmond and Kingston.

Videos of flooded streets and submerged vehicles have been posted to social media by people in South Hampstead, West Hampstead, Raynes Park, Friern Barnet, Isleworth and Wimbledon.

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A Twitter user posted video of water pouring in down the stairs at Sloane Square tube station, while pictures have also emerged of people swimming in ponds created by the thunderstorms on Primrose Hill.

London Fire Brigade said it had taken more than 1,000 calls related to flooding.

Bit of a flood here in south hampstead London😱 never seen anything like this pic.twitter.com/34geRmdawD — Lunanana (@lunanana___) July 12, 2021

🌧 we’re really sorry trains in and out of Euston are being cancelled because of floods 🌊 🎫 ticket acceptance via alternative routes is in place 🚆 Please check your journey ➡️ https://t.co/HEGQ0W4ZwT #Euston pic.twitter.com/R3seyzv5BX — London Euston (@NetworkRailEUS) July 12, 2021

A spokesperson for the service said: "We're asking people not to walk through or drive through the flood water. Flood water can be contaminated and vehicles can become unstable."

Cars were also filmed struggling to make their way through streets that appear to have turned into rivers after several inches of rainwater.

Sit rep. Stranded. No trains in or out of Euston due to flooding and a line side fire. When was the last time you saw the Euston departures board completely blank?! I certainly never have. See you all tomorrow everybody! pic.twitter.com/6Vg4xhK4Ds — Jake Sanson (@JakeSanson) July 12, 2021

Twitter user @robwatkins said central Raynes Park was "very underwater" after "a deluge lasting more than an hour".

@CaptTamagochi, from the same area, warned anyone out driving to "beware", while @lunanana___ posted video of similar levels of flooding in South Hampstead, adding they had "never seen anything like this".

#raynespark Station heavy flood... beware if you're driving. #Wimbledon #rain pic.twitter.com/b26tOPVkDt — 산티 (🇪🇺) (@CaptTamagochi) July 12, 2021

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain for a large part of southern England.

The affected area stretches from Devon in the west, all along the south coast as far as East Anglia and as far north as Cambridgeshire and almost to Bristol.

Flood alerts are in place for four areas, including Beverley Brook in the south London borough of Merton, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth.

Heavy and slow moving thundery downpours have brought significant #flooding to parts of London 🌧️ Torrential showers are expected to continue through much of this evening Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/lcXWm01Qt7 — Met Office (@metoffice) July 12, 2021

Alerts, which mean flooding is possible, have also been issued for the Lower Lee tributaries, the River Hamble and the Upper River Loddon.

The Met Office has not issued any flood warnings or severe flood warnings, however, and the weather could very swiftly take a turn for the better.

From Tuesday, temperatures could head up to 24C (75.2F) in central and southern England, and up to 18C (64.4F) in northern England and Scotland.

Wednesday is due to be even warmer - upwards of 26C (78.8F) in the South and 24C (75.2F) in the North.

Subscribe to ClimateCast on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , or Spreaker .

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Getting H e re

Located in southwest London, the historic town of Kingston is situated on the picturesque River Thames, just 12 miles from Central London and a 28-minute train ride from Waterloo.

The town is well-served by public transport and is close to Heathrow Airport and London’s orbital motorway, the M25.

Both stations are Zone 6

Direct services to Kingston Rail Station from:

Direct services to surbiton rail station from:.

*Please note it’s a 15 min walk or 5 min bus drive to Kingston town centre from Surbiton Rail Station.

Visit Parkopedia.co.uk for details of parking within the town

Distance from Kingston Town Centre

More than 40 bus routes serve Kingston Town Centre, including 8 night buses. They provide a frequent service to all parts of the Borough, other parts of Greater London, Surrey and Heathrow Airport.

Kingston is a half hour drive from Heathrow Airport. Or catch the express X26 bus which takes 30 minutes or the 111 or 285 bus for a more scenic route! Gatwick Airport is 45 minutes away by road.

Hotels in Kingston town centre

Premier Inn

Travelodge (Old London Road)

Where a new 22-storey tower could be built in Kingston town centre

The Surrey House Island site could also see two new office blocks

• 14:31, 21 AUG 2020

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Plans to build a 22-storey residential tower and two new office blocks on the site of Surrey House Island in Kingston town centre could "overshadow important listed buildings", residents say.

The site for the new "Eden Campus" includes Surrey House (a five-storey 1970s office and retail building), a car park, Lever House (an eight-storey office building), the former Hippodrome nightclub building and the Hogsmill river site.

Developers are currently at the pre-submission stage and residents can feedback on the proposals until August 24.

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They argue the new development will "open up Surrey House Island to better integrate into the area," bringing up to 2,900 new jobs.

The plans have been undertaken in collaboration with Unilever who, subject to internal consultation, are proposing to be a key partner as the plans develop.

Earlier this year Kingston Council said Unilever may relocate its UK headquarters to the town, moving teams from five offices across the south east into Kingston town centre.

Discussions are still ongoing.

Jonathan Lawes, director of Cube Real Estate said: “We believe that our proposals will be a real shot in the arm for Kingston and we’re incredibly excited to be bringing them forward.

"We know that it has been a tough year for everyone and we hope that this commitment to Kingston, with all the associated benefits of jobs, new green space and affordable homes, will be the catalyst for the town centre to go from strength to strength.”

Currently, 156 new homes are being proposed, of which 35 per cent will be affordable.

They will include 74 one bedroom homes, 37 two beds, and 45 three beds.

There will also be two office buildings offering 33,000m² of office space, and a new car park with approximately 360 parking spaces with full electric car infrastructure.

However, the Kingston Upon Thames Society and a number of residents have raised concerns about "overdevelopment of the site."

Its vice chair, Keith Payne, said: "It's quite over-developed and it's so far beyond what the planning guidance would allow that it's amazing they think they can even get this far."

Mr Payne highlighted that a number of tall developments have recently been proposed for the town centre, including a 17-storey tower on the Canbury Car Park site.

"The real problem with the new precedent here that we're at risk of setting is one where they are pretty much allowed to ignore the planning guidance. And that is a really bad thing to let through.

"The society has a track record of really trying to steer development in a more respectful and sensitive scale and style and height as well."

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You can choose from our national titles including The Mirror, Star or OK! magazine, as well as your favourite local newspapers including the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo and the Bristol Post.

Your cover will come as a JPEG file via email, meaning you can share it on social media with friends and family.

What better way of celebrating this happy occasion than by making it front page news?

Find out how here.

Just last year, the council rejected a redevelopment of Surrey House which would have seen more than 300 flats built. Planners said it did not meet the borough’s housing need, wasn’t in keeping with the character of the area and didn’t offer suitable public realm.

To comment on the latest proposals, click here

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