Editing Kingston upon Thames

{{Short description|Town in south-west London, England}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                   = England
| region                    = London
| official_name             = Kingston upon Thames
| os_grid_reference         = TQ182693
| population_ref            = 54,925 (Post town)<br/>168,063 (Borough)<ref name=2021census/>
| london_borough            = Kingston upon Thames
| post_town                 = KINGSTON UPON THAMES
| postcode_area             = KT
| postcode_district         = KT1, KT2
| dial_code                 = 020
| constituency_westminster  = [[Kingston and Surbiton]]
| constituency_westminster1 = [[Richmond Park (UK Parliament constituency)|Richmond Park]]
| coordinates               = {{coord|51.4103|-0.2995|region:GB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| london_distance           =
| static_image_name         = {{image frame|align=center|content={{Photomontage
|photo1a=Kingston Market Square.jpg|alt1a=picture of a two story building with turrets and balcony. Market stalls in front and in the foreground is two buskers playing guitars.
| photo2a = Shrubsole Memorial, Kingston upon Thames.jpg|alt2a=Statue on a plinth of a woman in classical dress carrying a jug on her shoulder and holding a child's hand. Steps up to the base of the plinth lead to a drinking fountain.
| photo2b = Church Street, Kingston-upon-Thames.jpg|alt2b=View down a pedestrianised street.
| photo3a = Kingston Bridge at night.jpg|alt3a=Picture of a road bridge across the river at night, illuminated with blue lights.
| size = 200
}}}}
| static_image_caption      = Clockwise from top: Kingston Market Square; Church Street; [[Kingston Bridge, London|Kingston Bridge]] at night; Shrubsole Memorial water fountain
| charingX_distance_mi      = 10.0
| charingX_direction        = NE 
}}
'''Kingston upon Thames''', colloquially known as '''Kingston''', is a town in the [[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]], south-west London, England. It is situated on the [[River Thames]], {{convert|10|mi|km}} south-west of [[Charing Cross]]. It is an ancient [[market town]], notable as the place where some [[History of Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon]] kings were crowned.

[[Historic counties of England|Historically in the county]] of [[Surrey]], the ancient [[Kingston upon Thames (parish)|parish of Kingston]] covered both the town itself and a large surrounding area. The town was an [[ancient borough]], having been formally incorporated in 1441, with a long history prior to that as a [[royal manor]]. From 1836 until 1965 the town formed the [[Municipal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames]]. From 1893 to 2020 Kingston was the seat of [[Surrey County Council]]. The town became part of [[Greater London]] in 1965, when the modern borough was also created as one of the 32 [[London borough]]s.

Kingston is identified as a metropolitan centre in the [[London Plan]] and is one of the biggest retail centres in the UK,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdh.co.uk/uploads/2017/06/HDH-Vitality-Index-June-2017.pdf |title=2017 Vitality Rankings: Top 50 British Centres |date=June 2017 |website=Harper Dennis Hobbs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918175850/http://hdh.co.uk/uploads/2017/06/HDH-Vitality-Index-June-2017.pdf |access-date=18 September 2022|archive-date=18 September 2022 }}</ref> receiving 18 million visitors a year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/competitions/competition-kingston-town-centre-vision-2035/10045017.article |title=Competition: Kingston Town Centre Vision 2035 |first=Merlin |last=Fulcher |date=29 October 2019 |website=[[Architects' Journal]] |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802221930/https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/competitions/competition-kingston-town-centre-vision-2035/10045017.article |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also home to [[Kingston University]].

The Kingston upon Thames [[post town]] corresponds to the [[KT postcode area|KT1 and KT2 postcodes]]. The wider borough also includes the post towns of [[New Malden]] and [[Surbiton]], parts of [[Worcester Park]] and peripheral parts of several other post towns based outside the borough. The Kingston upon Thames post town roughly corresponds to the six [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]] of Canbury Gardens, Coombe Hill, Kingston Gate, Kingston Town, Norbiton and Tudor, which had a combined population of 54,925 at the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], while the borough overall counted 168,063.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=Kingston upon Thames |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/london/wards/E09000021__kingston_upon_thames/ |website=City Population |access-date=22 April 2024 |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422063653/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/london/wards/E09000021__kingston_upon_thames/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Toponymy==
Kingston was called ''Cyninges tun'' in 838 AD, ''Chingestune'' in 1086, ''Kingeston'' in 1164, ''Kyngeston super Tamisiam'' in 1321 and ''Kingestowne upon Thames'' in 1589. The name means 'the king's manor or estate' from the Old English words ''cyning'' and ''tun''. It belonged to the king in Saxon times and was the earliest royal borough.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mills |first=A.D. |year=2010 |title=A Dictionary of London Place Names |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |article=Kingston upon Thames |edition=2nd |url= http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?entry=t307.e791&srn=1&ssid=479602017#FIRSTHIT |isbn=978-0-1995-6678-5 |access-date=17 July 2010}}</ref>

There was historically some variation between authorities as to whether Kingston was 'on' or 'upon' Thames, and whether the name should be hyphenated or not.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=13978|page=135|date=7 February 1797}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Roots |first1=George |title=The Charters of the town of Kingston upon Thames |date=1797 |page=Front cover |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vqJbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PP7 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> The [[Post Office Limited|Post Office]] initially adopted 'Kingston-on-Thames',<ref>{{cite book |title=British Postal Guide |date=1867 |publisher=Post Office |page=102 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uiJAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA102 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> the [[Ordnance Survey]] used 'Kingston upon Thames',<ref>{{cite web |title=Ordnance Survey Six Inch Map TQ16NE, 1948 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/189258722 |website=The National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=21 April 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421210325/https://maps.nls.uk/view/189258722 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the old borough council preferred the hyphenated 'Kingston-upon-Thames'.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34392|page=2741|date=27 April 1937}}</ref> As late as 1959 the borough council was petitioning the other bodies to standardise the name as 'Kingston-upon-Thames'.<ref>{{cite news |title=On and Upon |work=The Times |date=6 April 1959 |location=London |page=11}}</ref> The London Borough created in 1965 used the form 'Kingston upon Thames' without hyphens, since when that form has been used by the council, Ordnance Survey, and as the post town.<ref name=charter>{{cite web |title=Charter of Incorporation as the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the London Borough of Kingston upon Thomas, comprising the Boroughs of Kingston-upon-Thames, Surbiton and Malden and Coombe |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/c03c0765-8c1d-4794-8936-954f7343ace7 |website=Discovery Catalogue |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Coronation Stone - geograph.org.uk - 664311.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Coronation Stone (Kingston upon Thames)|Coronation Stone]] in the grounds of the Guildhall]]
The first surviving record of Kingston is from AD 838 as the site of a meeting between King [[Egbert of Wessex]] and [[Ceolnoth]], [[Archbishop of Canterbury]].<ref name=VCH>{{harvnb|Malden|1911|pp=487–501}}</ref> Kingston lay on the boundary between the ancient kingdoms of [[Wessex]] and [[Mercia]], until in the early tenth century when King [[Æthelstan]] united both to create the kingdom of England. According to the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'', two tenth-century kings were consecrated in Kingston: Æthelstan (925), and [[Æthelred the Unready]] (978). There are certain other kings who are said to have been crowned there, but for whom the evidence (including the writings of [[Florence of Worcester]] and [[Ralph de Diceto]]) is less substantial: [[Edward the Elder]] (902), [[Edmund I]] (939), [[Eadred]] (946), [[Eadwig]] (956), [[Edgar the Peaceful]] ({{circa|960}}) and [[Edward the Martyr]] (975). It was later thought that the coronations were conducted in the chapel of St Mary, which collapsed in 1730. Tradition dating to the 18th century holds that a [[Coronation Stone, Kingston upon Thames|large stone]] recovered from the ruins played a part in the coronations. It was initially used as a mounting block, but in 1850 it was moved to a more dignified place in the market before finally being moved to its current location in the grounds of the [[Kingston upon Thames Guildhall|Guildhall]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Foot |first=Sarah |author-link=Sarah Foot |year=2011 |title=Æthelstan: the first king of England |url=https://archive.org/details/thelstanfirstkin00foot |url-access=limited |publisher=Yale University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/thelstanfirstkin00foot/page/n94 74] |isbn=978-0-300-12535-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Simon |last=Keynes |author-link=Simon Keynes |encyclopedia=The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England |year=1999 |article=Kingston-upon-Thames |editor-first=Michael |editor-last=Lapidge |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-0-6312-2492-1 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |page=272}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Butters |first1=Shaan |title=The Book of Kingston |publisher=Baron |isbn=0860235629 |year=1995 |pages=29–30, 184 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Hilliam |first1=David |title=Crown, Orb and Sceptre: The True Stories of English Coronations |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fKYTDQAAQBAJ&q=how+many+kings+were+crowned+in+kingston&pg=PT13 |via=Google Books |date=16 September 2011 |publisher=The History Press |isbn=9780752470795 |access-date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307204948/https://books.google.com/books?id=fKYTDQAAQBAJ&q=how+many+kings+were+crowned+in+kingston&pg=PT13 |url-status=live }}</ref>

From Medieval times [[Medieval football|Shrovetide Football]] was played annually at Kingston upon Thames and in surrounding towns including [[Richmond, London|Richmond]] and [[Twickenham]]. The windows of the houses and shops were boarded up and from 12 noon the inhabitants would kick several balls around the town before retiring to the public houses.<ref>Football at Kingston, https://web.archive.org/web/20080105043230/http://www.uab.edu/english/hone/etexts/edb/day-pages/046-february15.html</ref> The last game was played in 1866, by which time the urban development of the town meant it caused too much damage and the custom was outlawed.<ref>Surrey Comet, 9 March 1867</ref>

===Local government===
[[File:Kingston-upon-Thames MB Ward Map 1868.svg|thumb|left|A map showing the wards of Kingston-upon-Thames Municipal Borough as they appeared in 1868.]]
Kingston upon Thames formed an ancient parish in the [[Kingston (hundred)|Kingston]] [[Hundred (country subdivision)|hundred]] of Surrey. The [[Kingston upon Thames (parish)|parish of Kingston upon Thames]] covered a large area including numerous [[chapelry|chapelries]] and [[Township (England)|townships]] which subsequently became separate parishes, including [[Hook, London|Hook]], [[Kew]], [[New Malden]], [[Petersham, London|Petersham]], [[Richmond, London|Richmond]], [[Surbiton]], [[Thames Ditton]] and [[East Molesey]].<ref name="Youngs">{{cite book |first=Frederic A. |last=Youngs |year=1979 |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England |volume=I: Southern England |place=London |publisher=[[Royal Historical Society]] |isbn=978-0-9010-5067-0}}</ref>

Kingston was a royal manor. It was granted various [[charter]]s allowing it the right to hold markets and fairs, with the oldest surviving charter being from [[John of England|King John]] in 1208. A subsequent charter in 1441 formally incorporated the town as a borough.<ref>{{cite book |title=Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales: Reports from places in any district |date=1834 |page=2892 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hs9OAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA2892 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3 |date=1911 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=487–501 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3/pp487-501 |access-date=21 April 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421082406/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3/pp487-501 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The borough covered a much smaller area than the ancient parish, although as new parishes were split off the borough and parish eventually became identical in 1894. The borough was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], becoming the [[Municipal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames]]. It had been long been known as a royal borough through custom; its right to the title was formally confirmed by [[George V]] in 1927.<ref>{{cite news|title=Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames|date=27 October 1927|work=[[The Times]]|page=14}}</ref><ref name="Royal borough">{{cite web |url= http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/leisure/museum/kingston_history/kingstons_royal_connections/borough_seal_rc.htm |title=The Borough Seal |work=Kingston London Borough Council |access-date=29 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091009153120/http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/leisure/museum/kingston_history/kingstons_royal_connections/borough_seal_rc.htm |archive-date=9 October 2009 }}</ref> Kingston upon Thames was the seat of [[Surrey County Council]] from 1893, when it moved from [[Newington, London|Newington]] to a new headquarters at [[County Hall, Kingston upon Thames|County Hall]]. The county council remained based at County Hall until 2020, despite Kingston having been removed from its administrative area in 1965.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/127-year-chapter-history-comes-19511671|title=127 year chapter of history comes to an end as Surrey County Council moves home|date=23 December 2020|newspaper=Get Surrey|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503072817/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/127-year-chapter-history-comes-19511671|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Foot Ball, Kingston-upon-Thames, Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 1846.jpg|thumb|Shrovetide Football at Kingston in 1846]]
In 1965, Greater London was created and the old municipal borough was abolished. Its former area was merged with that of the [[Municipal Borough of Surbiton]] and the [[Municipal Borough of Malden and Coombe]], to form the [[London Borough of Kingston upon Thames]].<ref name=charter/> At the request of [[Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council]] another royal charter was granted by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] entitling it to continue using the title "Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames" for the new borough.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letters Patent of Incorporation under the title of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/4d28daf3-bf91-4860-8c79-e2f7bf414399 |website=Discovery Catalogue |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref>

===Urban development===
[[File:Clattern.JPG|thumb|The Hogsmill flowing under [[Clattern Bridge]] in Kingston. The bridge is mentioned in 1293 as "Clateryngbrugge"<ref>Plaque on Clattern Bridge, Kingston Borough Council.</ref>]]
Kingston was built at the first crossing point of the [[Thames]] upstream from [[London Bridge]] and a [[Kingston Bridge, Kingston|bridge]] still exists at the same site. It was this 'great bridge' that gave it its early importance in the 13th century.<ref name=VCH/> Kingston was occupied by the [[Roman Empire|Roman]]s, and later it was either a royal residence or a royal [[demesne]]. There is a record of a council held there in 838, at which [[Egbert of Wessex]], King of Wessex, and his son [[Ethelwulf of Wessex]] were present. In the Domesday Book it was held by [[William the Conqueror]]. Its domesday assets were: a church, five [[Mill (grinding)|mills]], four [[fisheries]] worth 10s, 27 [[plough]]s, {{convert|40|acre|ha}} of [[meadow]], [[woodland]] worth six [[hog (swine)|hog]]s. It rendered [[GBP|£]]31 10s (£31.50).<ref>{{OpenDomesday|TQ1869|kingston-upon-thames|Kingston &#91;upon Thames&#93;}}</ref>

In 1730, the chapel containing the royal effigies collapsed, burying the [[Sexton (office)|sexton]], who was digging a grave, the sexton's daughter and another person. The daughter survived this accident and was her father's successor as sexton. Kingston sent members to early [[Parliament of England|Parliament]]s, until a petition by the inhabitants prayed to be relieved from the burden. Another chapel, the collegiate chapel of St Mary Magdalene, The Lovekyn Chapel, still exists. It was founded in 1309 by a former mayor of London, [[Edward Lovekyn]]. It is the only private chantry chapel to survive the [[English Reformation|Reformation]].{{sfn|Malden|1967|pp=125–127}}

With the coming of the railway in the 1830s, there was much building development to the south of the town. Much of this became the new town of [[Surbiton]], but the [[Surbiton Park]] estate, built in the grounds of Surbiton Place in the 1850s, remained part of Kingston during the period of the [[Municipal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames]].

A permanent military presence was established in the borough with the completion of [[The Barracks, Kingston upon Thames|The Barracks]] in 1875.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/depots/depots20.shtml |title=The Regimental depots |work=Queen's Royal Surreys |access-date=9 November 2014 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005824/http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/depots/depots20.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Economic development===
Kingston evolved as a market town from the Saxon period, with goods transported on the Thames and over land via the crossing point.<ref>{{cite report |first=Christopher |last=Phillpotts |title=The Charter Quay site, Kingston, documentary research report |url=https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/sites/default/files/projects/charter_quay/documentary_research.pdf |journal= |date=2003 |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003110514/https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/sites/default/files/projects/charter_quay/documentary_research.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Rights to hold markets were amongst the liberties granted by the royal charter of 1208 and the market formally established in 1242.{{sfn|Malden|1911}} A horse fair was held at a site on the downstream side of the river north of the bridge and a market extended from there to around the church by the 17th century and further south towards the course of the Hogsmill River. Goods traded included oats, wheat, rye, malt, apples and other fruit, flowers, wool, leather and cheese. Cattle, meat and fish were also traded. The regular Saturday market was supplemented by a Wednesday market in 1662. In addition to markets, regular fairs were held.{{sfn|Malden|1911}} Local industries included pottery, brick making, tanning, leather-working, fishing, milling, brewing and boat-building.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/heritage-conservation/list-conservation-areas/2 |title=List of conservation areas |publisher=[[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]] |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003110522/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/heritage-conservation/list-conservation-areas/2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Working on and along the river : Boat building |url=http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=thames&f=generic_theme.htm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&%3dtheme_record_id=tp-tp-working_boatbuilding |publisher=Thames Pilot |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003110518/http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=thames&f=generic_theme.htm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&%3Dtheme_record_id=tp-tp-working_boatbuilding |url-status=live }}</ref>

The presence of fabric and wood-working craft skills associated with boat-building was a factor in the choice of Kingston as the site chosen by [[Tommy Sopwith]] to expand production of early aircraft from [[Sopwith Aviation]]'s origins at [[Brooklands]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingstonaviation.org/js/plugins/filemanager/files/Brief_History_Banner__15B_Layout_1.pdf |title=Sopwith Aviation and Hawker Aircraft at Canbury Park Road, Kingston |publisher=Kingston Aviation |year=2012 |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005154204/https://www.kingstonaviation.org/js/plugins/filemanager/files/Brief_History_Banner__15B_Layout_1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Well known aviation personalities [[Sydney Camm]], [[Harry Hawker]] and Tommy Sopwith were responsible for much of Kingston's achievements in aviation. For much of the 20th century, Kingston was a major military aircraft manufacturing centre specialising in fighter aircraft – first with Sopwith Aviation, H G Hawker Engineering, later [[Hawker Aircraft]], [[Hawker Siddeley]] and eventually [[British Aerospace]].  The renowned [[Sopwith Camel]], [[Hawker Fury]], [[Hawker Hurricane|Hurricane]], [[Hawker Hunter|Hunter]] and [[Harrier jump jet]] were all designed and built in the town and examples of all of these aircraft can be seen today at the nearby [[Brooklands Museum]] in [[Weybridge]]. British Aerospace finally closed its Lower Ham Road factory in 1992;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kingstonaviation.org/ |title=The Kingston Centenary Project |website=Kingston Aviation Heritage Project |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803024852/https://www.kingstonaviation.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> part of the site was subsequently redeveloped for housing but the riverside part houses a community centre and sports complex.

=== Recent developments ===
Following the construction of the Kingston Relief Road (commonly known as the "Kingston one-way system") in 1989,<ref name=":8" /> major shopping streets in the town centre and the historic Market Place were [[pedestrianised]].<ref name=":7" /> Two major commercial developments were also built in Kingston town centre - with [[John Lewis Kingston]] department store opening in 1990<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 August 2014|title=The Grand Opening of John Lewis Kingston, 1990|url=https://johnlewismemorystore.org.uk/content/branch_finder/branches_i-n/kingston/the_grand_opening_of_john_lewis_kingston|access-date=12 August 2021|website=John Lewis Memory Store|language=en|archive-date=11 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211152736/https://johnlewismemorystore.org.uk/content/branch_finder/branches_i-n/kingston/the_grand_opening_of_john_lewis_kingston|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Bentall Centre, Kingston upon Thames|Bentall Centre]] shopping centre opening in 1992.<ref>{{cite news|last=Peacock|first=Grenville|date=30 July 1993|title=Obituary: Rowan Bentall|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-rowan-bentall-1488052.html|accessdate=26 April 2014|archive-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210002316/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-rowan-bentall-1488052.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the early 2000s, the Charter Quay development south of Kingston Bridge completed the [[Thames Path|riverside walk]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Charter Quay|url=https://cqra.org/about-charter-quay|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Charter Quay|language=en-GB|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812152557/https://cqra.org/about-charter-quay|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as adding bars, restaurants and the [[Rose Theatre, Kingston|Rose Theatre]], which opened in 2008 with [[Peter Hall (theatre director)|Sir Peter Hall]] as the director.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rose Theatre, Kingston|url=https://rosetheatre.org/about-us/about-us|url-status=dead|access-date=12 August 2021|website=rosetheatre.org|language=en-GB|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812152557/https://rosetheatre.org/about-us/about-us}}</ref> Also, in 2001, the old Kingston bus garage and bus station, closed the previous year, was demolished and the site redeveloped as the Rotunda complex, with an [[Odeon Cinema]], restaurants and tenpin bowling.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 March 1999|title=Rotunda rolled out|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6482319.rotunda-rolled-out/|access-date=15 December 2022|website=News Shopper|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215120714/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6482319.rotunda-rolled-out/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Governance==
Kingston straddles two Parliamentary constituencies: the area north of the railway line is part of [[Richmond Park (UK Parliament constituency)|Richmond Park]], which is represented by [[Sarah Olney]] of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], and the area south of the railway line (including the ancient town centre) is part of [[Kingston and Surbiton]] which is represented by [[Ed Davey]] of the Liberal Democrats.

==Notable locations==
[[File:The Bentall Centre, Kingston - geograph.org.uk - 1616364.jpg|thumb|The Bentall Centre]]
[[File:Kingston riverside sunset.jpg|thumb|Sunset from Eagle Brewery Wharf]]
[[File:Kingston All Saints01.JPG|thumb|upright|[[All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames|All Saint's Church]], a [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade I listed building]]]]
[[File:Guildhall, Kingston.jpg|thumb|[[Kingston upon Thames Guildhall]], completed in 1935]]
Central Kingston is a busy, largely pedestrian and predominantly retail centre, with a small number of commercial offices and civic buildings.

The shopping centre includes a shopping mall, "[[The Bentall Centre]]", containing the [[Bentalls]] department store and large branches of [[chain stores]] found in many British high streets. There is a large branch of the [[John Lewis (department store)|John Lewis]] department store group, with a [[Waitrose]] supermarket in the basement. A smaller 1960s shopping centre called [[Eden Walk]] exists nearby. The Rotunda, in a former Bentalls furniture depository building (a local landmark), includes a [[megabowl|bowling alley]], fitness centre, a 15-screen [[Odeon Cinemas|Odeon]] multiplex cinema and a few restaurants.

The ancient market is still held daily in the Market Place, including such produce as fish, jewellery, exotic foods, local foods and flowers.

Kingston's civic buildings include [[Kingston Museum]], [[public library]], modern [[Crown Court]], smaller [[County Court (England and Wales)|County Court]] and [[Kingston upon Thames Guildhall|the Guildhall]]. The Guildhall is located by the part-[[culvert]]ed mouth of the [[Hogsmill River]], and houses [[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames|Kingston Council]] and [[magistrates' court (England and Wales)|magistrates' court]]. A short distance away is the [[County Hall (Surrey, UK)|County Hall]] Building which houses the main offices of [[Surrey County Council]]. From 1893 to 1965, before Kingston became one of the 32 [[London borough]]s of [[Greater London]], it was the county town of Surrey following the period of 1791–1893 when [[Newington, London|Newington]] had this role. [[Guildford]] has officially reclaimed this ancient, now ceremonial title as Kingston is no longer administered by Surrey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10152902 |work=Vision of Britain |title=Relationships / unit history of Surrey |access-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014091425/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10152902 |archive-date=14 October 2007}}</ref>

Kingston's main open space is the [[River Thames]], with its lively frontage of bars and restaurants. Downstream there is a walk through [[Canbury Gardens]] towards [[Teddington Lock]]. Upstream there is a promenade crossing the [[Hogsmill]] river and reaching almost to Surbiton. Eagle Brewery Wharf is a council-owned public space located on the riverside.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200274/consultations_surveys_forums_and_petitions/700/consultations/4 |title=Eagle Brewery Wharf events management plan consultation |website=Kingston Council |access-date=8 September 2019 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802215336/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200274/consultations_surveys_forums_and_petitions/700/consultations/4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Across Kingston Bridge is a tree lined river bank fronting the expanse of Hampton Court Park.
<!-- ==Demography== -->

==Economy==
[[File:The Bentalls Bridge, Kingston-upon-Thames - London. (16118786081).jpg|thumb|Bentalls Bridge]]
[[File:Eden Walk, Kingston upon Thames.jpg|thumb|[[Eden Walk]] shopping centre]]
Kingston has many pubs and restaurants and several public houses in the centre have become restaurants or bars. The more traditional pubs tend to be in the northern part of the town (Canbury) and include The Canbury Arms, Park Tavern, The Wych Elm and Willoughby Arms. Further south are found the [[Druid's Head, Kingston upon Thames|Druid's Head]], the Spring Grove, The Cricketers, The Albion Tavern, The Duke of Buckingham, and several small local pubs around Fairfield. The Druid's Head is notable as one of the first taverns to make [[syllabub]], the famous dessert, in the 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Find Best Restaurants in Kingston Upon Thames - Eat and Drink in Kingston Upon Thames What's on in Kingston Upon Thames|url=https://www.whatsoninkingstonuponthames.com/eat-drink/|access-date=26 May 2021|website=What's On In Kingston upon Thames|language=en-GB|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526085810/https://www.whatsoninkingstonuponthames.com/eat-drink/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are several Chinese, Indian, Thai and Italian restaurants.

The local newspapers are the weekly ''[[Surrey Comet]]'', which celebrated its 150th year in 2004,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/comet150/intro/ |title=Comet 150 |work=Surrey Comet |publisher=Newsquest |access-date=2 March 2012 |archive-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226131144/http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/comet150/intro/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''[[Kingston Guardian]]''.

In 2010 retail footprint research, Kingston ranked 25th in terms of retail expenditure in the UK at £810&nbsp;million, equal to [[Covent Garden]] and just ahead of [[Southampton]]. This puts it as generating the fifth highest level of retail sales in [[Greater London]], passing [[Croydon]], with just four West End alternatives ahead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caci.co.uk/492.aspx |title=Retail Footprint 2010 reveals Britain's shopping successes and strugglers |access-date=12 February 2010 |work=CACI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618210926/http://www.caci.co.uk/492.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2010}}</ref> In 2005, Kingston was 24th with £864&nbsp;million, and 3rd in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caci.co.uk/msd.asp?url=lsp-retailfootprint.htm |title=Retail Footprint 2005 |access-date=5 October 2005 |work=CACI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020003313/http://www.caci.co.uk/msd.asp?url=lsp-retailfootprint.htm |archive-date=20 October 2007 }}</ref> In a 2015 study by CACI, Kingston was ranked 28th in the UK in the Hot 100 Retail Locations - and the second highest in Greater London after Croydon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gra.world/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/02/00002208.pdf?x18661 |title=Hot 100 UK retail locations 2015 |date=13 November 2015 |website=[[Property Week]] |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612025902/https://www.gra.world/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/02/00002208.pdf?x18661 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Kingston was ranked joint 5th in the UK by [[Knight Frank]] in the "High Street Investment Ranking", only bettered by [[Cambridge]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[Chichester]] and [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://content.knightfrank.com/research/1359/documents/en/retail-news-issue-7-the-high-street-redundant-relevant-or-resurgent-5017.pdf |title=High Street Investment Market |first=Alastair |last=Bird |date=2017 |journal=Retail News |issue=7 |page=26 |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326172741/https://content.knightfrank.com/research/1359/documents/en/retail-news-issue-7-the-high-street-redundant-relevant-or-resurgent-5017.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013 Kingston became the location for a [[local currency]] scheme, designed to boost and strengthen the local economy in Kingston,<ref>[https://www.lovemoney.com/news/26492/kingston-pound-own-currency "Kingston upon Thames to get its own currency"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726143218/https://www.lovemoney.com/news/26492/kingston-pound-own-currency |date=26 July 2023 }}, lovemoney.com 13 December 2013</ref>
<ref>[https://riveronline.co.uk/kingston-to-roll-out-its-own-currency/  "Kingston to roll out its own currency"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726143217/https://riveronline.co.uk/kingston-to-roll-out-its-own-currency/ |date=26 July 2023 }} The River Online, 8 December 2015</ref> as part of the [[Transition towns]] initiative. The Kingston pound began as a [[digital currency]], and from 2018 existed in paper format, with denominations of K£1;K£5;K£10;and K£20 designed by graphic design students from [[Kingston University]]. These were taken out of circulation in 2021, but have been sold to many collectors all over the world. The Kingston Pound is a 'tagged' sterling that can be exchanged either way on a 1 for 1 basis without any penalty.<ref>[https://www.kingstonchamber.co.uk/about-us/kingston-pound/  Kingston Pound Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726143727/https://www.kingstonchamber.co.uk/about-us/kingston-pound/ |date=26 July 2023 }}, Kingston Chamber of Commerce; retrieved 26 July 2023</ref><ref>[https://kingstonpound.org/ Kingston Pound official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726143217/https://kingstonpound.org/ |date=26 July 2023 }}; retrieved 26 July 2023</ref>

As of 2011, Kingston upon Thames has the fourth highest retail turnover for comparison goods in Greater London, £432 million annually, only bettered by the [[West End of London|West End]], [[Shepherd's Bush]] and [[Stratford, London|Stratford]]. As of 2012, Kingston has {{convert|276438|sqm|sqft}} of total town centre floorspace, the 3rd highest in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/2013%20TCHC%20report.pdf |title=2013 London Town Centre Health Check Analysis Report |date=March 2014 |website=Greater London Authority |page=24 |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612033625/https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/2013%20TCHC%20report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Culture==
{{see also|List of public art in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames}}

A notable dramatic arts venue is the [[Rose Theatre, Kingston|Rose Theatre]], opened on 16 January 2008 and seating about 900 people. The audience are arranged around the semi-circular stage. All Saints Church is host to classical choral and music concerts mostly on Saturdays and houses a [[Frobenius Orgelbyggeri|Frobenius]] organ. There are a number of choral societies including the [[Kingston Orpheus Choir]] and the [[Kingston Choral Society]], an amateur symphony orchestra the Kingston Philharmonia, and the Kingston and District Chamber Music Society. A number of annual festivals are organised by the Council and Kingston Arts Council including Kingston Readers' Festival, Think-in-Kingston and the Festival of the Voice.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} Kingston University runs the Stanley Picker Gallery and Kingston Museum has a changing gallery on the first floor. A regular singing group at the Rose Theatre caters to schools and families.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://singingitback.co.uk/ |title=Welcome |website=Singing It Back |access-date=22 October 2012 |archive-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522071744/http://singingitback.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Muybridge-2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Eadweard Muybridge]] (photographer) was born in the town in 1830]]
[[John Galsworthy]] the author was born on Kingston Hill and [[Jacqueline Wilson]] grew up, and went to school in Kingston and still lives there today. Both are commemorated at Kingston University – Galsworthy in the newest building and Wilson in the main hall. Also commemorated at the university is photographer [[Eadweard Muybridge]] who was born at Kingston and changed the spelling of his first name in reference to the name of the Saxon king on the Coronation Stone. He was a pioneer in the photography of the moving image. [[R. C. Sherriff]] the playwright is also associated with Kingston, writing his first play to support Kingston Rowing Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWsherriff.htm |title=R. C. Sherriff |first=John |last=Simkin |work=Spartacus Educational |access-date=13 May 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417070012/http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWsherriff.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> An earlier writer born in Kingston was [[John Cleland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/books/sex-and-books-londons-most-erotic-writers-3|title=Sex and books: London's most erotic writers|work=Time Out London|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184437/https://www.timeout.com/london/books/sex-and-books-londons-most-erotic-writers-3|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kingston has been covered in literature, film and television. It is where the comic [[Victorian literature|Victorian]] novel ''[[Three Men in a Boat]]'' by [[Jerome K. Jerome]] begins; cannons aimed against the Martians in [[H. G. Wells]]' ''The War of the Worlds'' are positioned on Kingston Hill; in ''The Rainbow'' by [[D. H. Lawrence]] the youngest Brangwen dreams of a job in Kingston upon Thames in a long, lyrical passage; Mr. Knightly in ''Emma'' by [[Jane Austen]] regularly visits Kingston, although the narrative never follows him there.

Fine art is also a prominent feature in the history of Kingston. Both [[John Hoyland]] and [[Jeremy Moon (artist)|Jeremy Moon]] worked from permanent studios in Kingston and many artists and designers have studied at the university including [[Fiona Banner]], [[John Bratby]], [[David Nash (artist)|David Nash]] and [[Jasper Morrison]].

Early in his music career, the guitarist and singer-songwriter [[Eric Clapton]] spent time [[busking]] in Kingston upon Thames,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ericclapton.com/eric-clapton-biography?page=0%2C1 |title=Biography |website=Eric Clapton |access-date=17 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515233905/http://www.ericclapton.com/eric-clapton-biography?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> having grown up and studied in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/a-late-1950s-hofner-club-60-1525990-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=1525990&sid=775d57e0-50bb-4a69-95ac-6c7be096a7fb |title=A late 1950s Hofner Club 60 |date=24 June 1999 |website=[[Christie's]] |access-date=16 November 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811192834/http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/a-late-1950s-hofner-club-60-1525990-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=1525990&sid=775d57e0-50bb-4a69-95ac-6c7be096a7fb |url-status=live }}</ref> Rock band [[Cardiacs]] were formed in the town.

Recently,{{when|date=September 2020}} a scene from ''Mujhse Dosti Karoge'', a [[Bollywood]] film starring [[Hrithik Roshan]] as the leading actor, was filmed by the toppled telephone boxes sculpture in Old London Road.{{citation needed|reason=searched, cannot find reliable source for this|date=December 2022}}

The 1974 [[Doctor Who]] story "[[Invasion of the Dinosaurs]]" used several locations in the town for filming.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doctorwholocations.net/stories/invasionofthedinosaurs |title=Invasion of the Dinosaurs – Story Locations |work=Doctor Who: The Locations Guide |access-date=14 July 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803150616/http://www.doctorwholocations.net/stories/invasionofthedinosaurs |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2008 series of ''[[Primeval (TV series)|Primeval]]'', shown on ITV1 in January, featured almost an entire episode filmed inside the [[Bentalls|Bentall Centre]] and [[John Lewis (department store)|John Lewis]] department stores. Kingston featured in ''Primeval'' again in May 2009 with several scenes shot in and around the Market Place. [[Nipper]], the famous "[[His Master's Voice]]" dog, is buried in the town under Lloyds Bank. His owners lived nearby in Fife Road.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

Kingston Green Fair was held annually from 1987 to 2008 in Canbury Gardens, next to the river, on the Spring [[Bank Holiday]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingstononline.co.uk/kingston-green-fair-on-the-banks-of-the-rver-thames/ |title=Kingston Green Fair on the banks of the Thames |work=Kingston Online |date=11 April 2014 |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907165308/http://www.kingstononline.co.uk/kingston-green-fair-on-the-banks-of-the-rver-thames/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The word "Green" in the title refers to the ethos of the fair as promoting [[sustainable development]]. For instance no meat or other products derived from dead animals were allowed to be sold, and no electricity was permitted on the site unless generated by wind, sun, or bicycle power.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kingstongreenfair.org.uk/stalls/tradingpolicy.html |title=Ethical Policies for all Traders |website=Kingston Green Fair |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802214920/http://kingstongreenfair.org.uk/stalls/tradingpolicy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Public art===
[[File:'Out Of Order' by David Mach - geograph.org.uk - 1102588.jpg|thumb|The sculpture "Out of Order"]]
One of the more unusual sights in Kingston is ''Out of Order'' by [[David Mach]], a sculpture in the form of twelve disused [[red telephone box]]es that have been tipped up to lean against one another in an arrangement resembling dominoes. The work was commissioned in 1988 as part of the landscaping for the new Relief Road, and was described by its creator as "anti-minimalist".<ref name=":5">{{cite news |last=Lightfoot |first=Liz |title=Number's up for phone box sculpture |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1373337/Numbers-up-for-phone-box-sculpture.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1373337/Numbers-up-for-phone-box-sculpture.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2015 |work=The Daily Telegraph |place=London |date=6 November 2000}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=18 August 2000|title=Let's keep the amusing tumbling phone boxes|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6465256.lets-keep-the-amusing-tumbling-phone-boxes/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=News Shopper|language=en|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812143008/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6465256.lets-keep-the-amusing-tumbling-phone-boxes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Kingston railway station (28263286283).jpg|left|thumb|251x251px|Kingston railway station]]

=== Rail ===
Kingston is principally served by [[Kingston railway station (England)|Kingston railway station]], which opened in 1863.

The station is in [[London fare zone 6]] and is served by [[South Western Railway]] trains from [[London Waterloo]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=December 2019|title=London's Rail & Tube services|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126163535/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf|archive-date=26 November 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|website=[[Transport for London]] (TfL)}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020|title=South Western Railway Network Map|url=https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/our-network|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111213625/https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/our-network|archive-date=11 November 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|website=[[South Western Railway]]}}</ref> Trains to Waterloo link Kingston directly to destinations such as [[Wimbledon station|Wimbledon]], [[Clapham Junction]] and [[Vauxhall station|Vauxhall]]. Eastbound trains travel to [[Shepperton station|Shepperton]] via [[Teddington railway station|Teddington]], [[Hampton railway station (London)|Hampton]] and [[Sunbury (Surrey) railway station|Sunbury]]. Eastbound trains also travel on the [[Kingston loop line]] towards Teddington, [[Strawberry Hill railway station|Strawberry Hill]], [[Twickenham railway station|Twickenham]] and [[Richmond station (London)|Richmond]], after which trains continue towards Waterloo. From Waterloo, trains to Kingston are advertised towards "Shepperton" and "Strawberry Hill".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

A nearby station in [[Norbiton railway station|Norbiton]] (in [[London fare zone 5|fare zone 5]]) is on the same lines.<ref name=":0" />

Nearby [[Surbiton station]] – originally named Kingston when it opened in 1838 – is on the [[South West Main Line]] in London fare zone 6. Surbiton is also served by South Western Railway trains from Waterloo. Southbound services link Surbiton to destinations in [[Surrey]] and [[Hampshire]], such as [[Hampton Court railway station|Hampton Court]], [[Guildford railway station|Guildford]], [[Woking railway station|Woking]] and [[Basingstoke railway station|Basingstoke]].<ref name=":0" /> The station building at Surbiton was built in 1937, designed in an [[Art Deco]] style by [[James Robb Scott]]. It has been [[Grade II listed]] since 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Surbiton Station|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1185071|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807190925/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1185071|archive-date=7 August 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|website=[[Historic England]]}}</ref>

=== Bus ===
Kingston is served by two bus stations, [[Cromwell Road bus station|Cromwell Road]] and [[Fairfield bus station|Fairfield]], and a large number of bus stops, with destinations across Greater London and Surrey including links directly to [[Heathrow Airport]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Kingston Station Onward Travel Information|url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/posters/KNG.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211010835/https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/posters/KNG.pdf|archive-date=11 December 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|website=[[National Rail]]}}</ref>

=== Road ===
The Kingston Bypass passes to the south and east of Kingston. The bypass carries the [[A3 road|A3]], which links the area to [[London Borough of Merton|Merton]], [[Wandsworth]], [[Clapham]] and the [[City of London]] to the north. To the south, the A3 runs to [[Portsmouth]] via [[Guildford]] and [[Petersfield]].

A portion of the bypass carries the [[A309 road|A309]] to [[Thames Ditton]], [[Hampton Court]] and the [[A308]].

There are several radial routes including:

* '''[[A238 road|A238]]''' towards [[Raynes Park]], [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], [[Colliers Wood]] and [[Tooting]]
* '''[[A240 road|A240]]''' towards [[Surbiton]], [[Tolworth]], [[Ewell]], [[Epsom]], [[Banstead]] and [[Reigate]]
* '''[[A2043 road|A2043]]''' towards [[New Malden]], [[Worcester Park]], [[Cheam]] and [[Sutton, London|Sutton]]
* '''[[A307]]''' northbound towards [[Petersfield]], [[Richmond, London|Richmond]] and the [[M4 motorway|M4]], or southbound towards [[Thames Ditton]], [[Esher]] and [[Cobham, Surrey|Cobham]]
* '''[[A308]]''' eastbound towards the [[A3 road|A3]], [[Putney]] and [[Wandsworth]] and westbound towards [[Hampton Court]], [[Sunbury-on-Thames]] (for [[M3 motorway (Great Britain)|M3]]) and [[Staines-upon-Thames]]
* '''[[A310 road|A310]]''' via [[A308]] northbound towards [[Teddington]], [[Twickenham]] and [[Hounslow]]

==== Kingston Relief Road ====
In the 1960s, planners proposed a partially elevated [[ring road]] encircling the town centre, to alleviate congestion on major shopping streets and traffic heading towards [[Kingston Bridge, London|Kingston Bridge]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Sampson|first=June|date=22 January 2013|title=June Sampson: Pioneers who saved Kingston from planning doom|url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10177063.june-sampson-pioneers-who-saved-kingston-from-planning-doom/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Your Local Guardian|language=en|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812143008/https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10177063.june-sampson-pioneers-who-saved-kingston-from-planning-doom/|url-status=live}}</ref> After objections from local residents, an interim one-way system was implemented in July 1963.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharman|first=Jon|date=14 July 2013|title=Today is the 50th anniversary of Kingston's one-way system. Was it worth it?|url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/10546738.today-is-the-50th-anniversary-of-kingstons-one-way-system-was-it-worth-it/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Surrey Comet|language=en|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812143008/https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/10546738.today-is-the-50th-anniversary-of-kingstons-one-way-system-was-it-worth-it/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this, the Kingston Relief Road was constructed in Kingston town centre in the late 1980s.<ref name=":7" /> Commonly known as the "Kingston one-way system",<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Kingston's one-way system fully re-opened following floods|url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10580685.kingstons-one-way-system-fully-re-opened-following-floods/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Your Local Guardian|date=30 July 2013|language=en|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812143008/https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10580685.kingstons-one-way-system-fully-re-opened-following-floods/|url-status=live}}</ref> the road encircles the town centre, allowing for major shopping streets such as Clarence Street to be [[pedestrianised]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=1988|title=Kingston Town Centre Relief Road|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127060723@N05/15590313991/in/album-72157648490620998/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Flickr|publisher=[[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]]|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812143819/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127060723@N05/15590313991/in/album-72157648490620998/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the western side of the town centre, the road passes underneath [[John Lewis Kingston]] before crossing the [[River Thames]] via Kingston Bridge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 August 2014|title=John Lewis & Partners Kingston - Obstructions to construction|url=https://johnlewismemorystore.org.uk/content/branch_finder/branches_i-n/kingston/obstructions_to_construction|access-date=12 August 2021|website=John Lewis Memory Store|language=en|archive-date=11 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211152737/https://johnlewismemorystore.org.uk/content/branch_finder/branches_i-n/kingston/obstructions_to_construction|url-status=dead}}</ref> As part of the project, two [[Kingston bus stations|bus stations]] were constructed, cycle lanes installed and several artworks commissioned including ''Out of Order'' by [[David Mach]] and ''River Celebration'' by [[Carole Hodgson]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

=== River ===
Kingston Town End and Kingston Turks piers are situated in Kingston. Turk Launches operates a Summer-only river tour between Hampton Court and Richmond St Helena.<ref>{{Cite web|title=London River Services map|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/river-services-map.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102094019/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/river-services-map.pdf|archive-date=2 November 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|website=[[Transport for London]] (TfL)}}</ref>

=== Cycling ===
There is a network of cycle lanes throughout Kingston linking the area to destinations throughout south-west London and England.

Key routes include:

* '''[[National Cycle Route 4]]''' - A route from [[Greenwich]] in south-east London to [[St Davids]] in [[west Wales]]. NCR4 follows the route of the River Thames near Kingston, crossing from the south side of the river to the north over Kingston Bridge. Northbound, the route runs towards Central London and Greenwich via [[Ham, London|Ham]], [[Richmond Park]] and [[Barnes, London|Barnes]]. Westbound, NCR4 runs towards Reading via Walton, [[Egham]] and [[Eton, Berkshire|Eton]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Route 4|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-4/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929045710/https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-4|archive-date=29 September 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|website=[[Sustrans]]}}</ref> The route is part of '''[[EuroVelo 2]]''', a route from Moscow to Galway.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EuroVelo 2|url=https://en.eurovelo.com/ev2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029102748/https://en.eurovelo.com/ev2|archive-date=29 October 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|website=[[EuroVelo]]}}</ref>
* '''[[List of cycle routes in London|Cycleway 28]]''' - A two-way, segregated [[cycle track]] between Kingston and [[Seething Wells]] along Portsmouth Road.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Kingston upon Thames|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/701379193#map=13/51.4105/-0.2755&layers=C|access-date=11 December 2020|website=[[OpenStreetMap]]|archive-date=11 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211152733/https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/701379193#map=13/51.4105/-0.2755&layers=C|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[List of cycle routes in London|Cycleway 29]]''' - A cycle route, much of which is two-way and segregated from other road traffic between Kingston and Fishponds Park. Much of the route follows Penrhyn Road and Ewell Road.<ref name=":4" />
* '''[[List of cycle routes in London|Cycleway 30]]''' - A segregated cycle track between C29 at Kingston to [[Putney Vale]], following the route of A308 London Road.<ref name=":4" />

==Education==
{{main|List of schools in Kingston upon Thames}}
[[File:Universität Kingston.jpg|thumb|[[Kingston University]] main building, Penrhyn Road campus]]
[[File:Tiffin School.jpg|thumb|Tiffin School]]
Kingston is the location of [[Kingston University]] and [[South Thames Colleges Group|Kingston College]]. Primary schools in the town include Latchmere School, Fernhill School, St Luke's School, King Athelstan School and St Agatha's Catholic Primary School. Secondary schools in the town include [[The Kingston Academy]], [[Tiffin School]], [[Tiffin Girls' School]] and [[Kingston Grammar School]], all of which have large catchment areas across [[Greater London]] and [[Surrey]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=11 July 2023|first=Ellie|language=en|last=Wynn|title=Secondary schools|url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/schools-education/secondary-schools-1|website=www.kingston.gov.uk|archive-date=11 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711014651/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/schools-education/secondary-schools-1|url-status=dead}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=11 July 2023|first=Ellie|language=en|last=Wynn|title=Infant, junior and primary schools|url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/schools-education/infant-junior-primary-schools-1/1|website=www.kingston.gov.uk|archive-date=11 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711014642/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/schools-education/infant-junior-primary-schools-1/1|url-status=dead}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

The growth and development of Kingston Polytechnic, and its transformation into [[Kingston University]] in 1992, has made Kingston a university town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our history - Facts and figures - Kingston University London |url=https://www.kingston.ac.uk/aboutkingstonuniversity/factsandfigures/ourhistory/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.kingston.ac.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725154021/https://www.kingston.ac.uk/aboutkingstonuniversity/factsandfigures/ourhistory/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Religious sites==
The 12th-century [[All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames|All Saints Church]] serves the [[Church of England]] parish of Kingston which lies ecclesiastically in the [[Diocese of Southwark]], although there has been a church in Kingston since at least 838.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sampson |first=June |date=1997 |title=Kingston Past |publisher=Historical Publications |place=London |isbn=0948667451}}</ref> The [[suffragan]] or Area [[Bishop of Kingston]] is the Rt Rev Dr [[Richard Cheetham]]. Other Anglican churches in Kingston, of more recent date, are [[St John's Church, Kingston upon Thames|St John the Evangelist]] and [[St Luke's Church, Kingston upon Thames|St Luke]].

Kingston lies in the Roman Catholic [[Archdiocese of Southwark]], and there is a [[St Agatha's Roman Catholic Church, Kingston upon Thames|Roman Catholic Church]] dedicated to [[Saint Agatha]].

Kingston is also the home of the Kingston Surbiton & District Synagogue. It also has a Quaker meeting house, a Mosque and a Sikh [[Gurdwara]].

Lady Booth Road, formerly Fairfield Road, is named to commemorate the former location of the [[Salvation Army]] citadel.

==Sport==
Kingston is the home of four association football clubs, [[Chelsea F.C. Women]] who play at the [[Kingsmeadow]] Stadium,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Wimbledon agree ground sale to Chelsea |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36470448 |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521144515/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36470448 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Corinthian-Casuals]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Grounds |url=http://www.corinthian-casuals.com/former-grounds.html |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=Corinthian-Casuals Football Club |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153127/http://www.corinthian-casuals.com/former-grounds.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Kingstonian]] who play in [[Tolworth]],<ref name="KFC">{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Mark |title=History and Origins |url=http://www.kingstonian.com/a/about-27996.html?page=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503123838/http://www.kingstonian.com/a/about-27996.html?page=3 |archive-date=3 May 2014 |access-date=11 July 2023 |publisher=Kingstonian F.C.}}</ref> and [[Chessington & Hook United F.C.|Chessington & Hook United]] who play in [[Chessington]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Straight From The Kick Off 1921 - 1930 |url=https://www.chufc.co.uk/a/history-7969.html?page=3 |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.chufc.co.uk |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327071132/http://www.chufc.co.uk/a/history-7969.html?page=3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chelsea F.C. Women play in the [[FA Women's Super League]], whereas Kingstonian, Corinthian-Casuals and Chessington & Hook United are [[non-league]] clubs.

[[Kingston Athletic Club and Polytechnic Harriers]] are based at the neighbouring Kingsmeadow athletics stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poly History – Harriers Athletic Club – Polytechnic Football Club |url=https://polytechnicfc.co.uk/poly-history-harriers-athletic-club/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153126/https://polytechnicfc.co.uk/poly-history-harriers-athletic-club/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This stadium has a 400m track which is floodlit, a gym and 5-a-side football facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athletics {{!}} Kingsmeadow Fitness and Athletic {{!}} Kingston upon Thames – Places Leisure |url=https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/weir-archer-athletics-and-fitness-centre/centre-activities/sports/athletics/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.placesleisure.org |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153126/https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/weir-archer-athletics-and-fitness-centre/centre-activities/sports/athletics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kingston Rugby Club is based on the outskirts of the town, and [[Kingston Rowing Club]] (founded in 1858) is based in Canbury Gardens on the River Thames.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navigation Map {{!}} Kingston Rowing Club |url=https://www.kingstonrc.co.uk/members/safety/navigation-map |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.kingstonrc.co.uk |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153129/https://www.kingstonrc.co.uk/members/safety/navigation-map |url-status=live }}</ref> The Club holds two large timed race events (HEADs) in the Spring and Autumn. [[Kingston Regatta]] takes place on the river just above the bridge over a weekend in early July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Kingston Amateur Regatta |url=http://www.kingstonregatta.co.uk/history.htm |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.kingstonregatta.co.uk |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153132/http://www.kingstonregatta.co.uk/history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/documents/summer_of_events.pdf River Thames Society A Thames Valley Summer]{{Dead link|date=February 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The town has a large leisure centre next to Fairfield named the Kingfisher Centre, which contains an indoor swimming pool and gymnasium.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beckett |first=Lisa |title=Leisure centres in the Borough |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/parks-sports-leisure-1/leisure-centres-borough |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.kingston.gov.uk |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153127/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/parks-sports-leisure-1/leisure-centres-borough |url-status=live }}</ref> Sport in Kingston is promoted and encouraged by Sport Kingston, an organisation funded by the Royal Borough of Kingston.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2016 |title=ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES INDOOR SPORTS AND LEISURE FACILITY STRATEGY REPORT |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/downloads/file/27/kingston-indoor-sports-and-leisure-facilities |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153127/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/downloads/file/27/kingston-indoor-sports-and-leisure-facilities |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Kingston Wildcats]] School of Basketball is a community [[basketball]] development club that practices and plays its home fixtures at Chessington School,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingston Wildcats School of Basketball |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/directory-record/766/kingston-wildcats-school-of-basketball |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.kingston.gov.uk |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153125/https://www.kingston.gov.uk/directory-record/766/kingston-wildcats-school-of-basketball |url-status=live }}</ref> competing in the Surrey League and Basketball England National League.

Old Kingstonaian Hockey Club, [[Old Cranleighan Hockey Club]], [[Surbiton Hockey Club]] and [[Teddington Hockey Club]] are local [[field hockey]] clubs that compete in the [[Women's England Hockey League]], the [[Men's England Hockey League]] and the [[London Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.okhockey.com/|title=Old Kingstonaian Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/old-kingstonian-hc|title=England Hockey - Old Kingstonaian Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ochockeyclub.org/|title=Old Cranleighan Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/old-cranleighan-hc|title=England Hockey - Old Cranleighan Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surbitonhc.com/|title=Surbiton Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/surbiton-hc|title=England Hockey - Surbiton Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teddingtonhockey.club/|title=Teddington Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/teddington-hc|title=England Hockey - Teddington Hockey Club |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>

===London 2012 Summer Olympics===
[[File:Bradley Wiggins 2012 Olympic time trial.jpg|thumb|alt=Racing cyclist.|Bradley Wiggins riding towards central Kingston on 1 August 2012.]]
Prior to the opening of the [[2012 Summer Olympics|games]], Kingston hosted the [[2012 Summer Olympics torch relay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingston gripped by Olympic fever as torch relay reaches borough |url=https://www.kingston.ac.uk/news/article/629/26-jul-2012-kingston-gripped-by-olympic-fever-as-torch-relay-reaches-borough/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=www.kingston.ac.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153128/https://www.kingston.ac.uk/news/article/629/26-jul-2012-kingston-gripped-by-olympic-fever-as-torch-relay-reaches-borough/ |url-status=live }}</ref> on two occasions with the flame travelling through the borough on 24 July 2012 and aboard the [[Gloriana (barge)|''Gloriana'']] in a cauldron on 27 July 2012 en route to the [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]] for the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]]. The borough was the setting for four cycling events during the Olympics, the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's individual road race|men's road race]], [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's individual road race|women's road race]], [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's road time trial|men's road time trial]] and [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's road time trial|women's road time trial]].

Following the games, the [[London–Surrey Classic]] professional [[road bicycle race]] ran through the town from 2013 to 2018, using a similar course to the Olympic road race.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Orlando|date=1 August 2019|title='Tens of thousands' expected for RideLondon-Surrey events this weekend|url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/17810456.prudential-ridelondon-surrey-pass-esher-kingston-weekend/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Surrey Comet|language=en|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812220706/https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/17810456.prudential-ridelondon-surrey-pass-esher-kingston-weekend/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the race will not return to Kingston, with the [[RideLondon]] festival using the roads of [[Essex]] instead.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=RideLondon set to continue from 2022-31 but in new format, Transport for London papers reveal|url=https://road.cc/content/news/ridelondon-set-continue-2022-31-new-format-281467|access-date=12 August 2021|website=road.cc|language=en|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812220715/https://road.cc/content/news/ridelondon-set-continue-2022-31-new-format-281467|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Geography==
Kingston is {{convert|3|mi|0}} south-east of [[Twickenham]], {{convert|5|mi|0}} north-east of [[Walton-on-Thames]], and {{convert|6|mi|0}} north-west of [[Sutton, London|Sutton]].

===Nearest places===
{{Adjacent communities
|title = '''Nearest settlements'''
|Northwest = [[Teddington]], [[Twickenham]]
|North     = [[Ham, London|Ham]]
|Northeast = [[Kingston Vale]]<br /><small>across [[Richmond Park]]</small>:<br />[[Roehampton]]
|West      = [[Hampton Wick]] and [[Hampton Court]]<br /><small>across [[Bushy Park]]:</small><br />[[Hampton, London|Hampton]]<br /><small>across [[Hampton Court Park]]:</small><br />[[East Molesey]]
|Centre    = Kingston upon Thames
|East      = [[Coombe, Kingston upon Thames|Coombe]] and [[New Malden]]
|Southwest = [[Surbiton]] then<br />[[Thames Ditton]]
|South     = [[Surbiton]] then<br />[[Hook, London|Hook]], [[Chessington]]
|Southeast = [[Berrylands]] and<br />[[Tolworth]]
}}

==Town twinning==
Kingston upon Thames has been [[Town twinning|twinned]] with [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]] in Germany since 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/community_people_and_living/international/oldenburg.htm |title=Oldenburg – Kingston's partner city in Germany |website=The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |access-date=22 April 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404094920/http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/community_people_and_living/international/oldenburg.htm |archive-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> It also has been historically twinned with  [[Delft]] in the [[Netherlands]].
Since 2016, Kingston upon Thames has been [[Town twinning|twinned]] with [[Jaffna]] in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamildiplomat.com/twin-city-agreement-signed-city-jaffna-city-kingston-london/ |title=Twin City Agreement signed between the City of Jaffna and City of Kingston in London |website=The Tamil Diplomat |date=19 October 2016 |access-date=2 February 2017 |archive-date=28 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228193514/http://tamildiplomat.com/twin-city-agreement-signed-city-jaffna-city-kingston-london/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Kingston upon Thames}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book |last=Dickens |first=Charles Jr |author-link=Charles Dickens Jr. |year= 1994 |orig-year= 1887, 1879 |title= Dickens's Dictionary of the Thames, 1887 |edition=facsimile |place= Moretonhampstead |publisher=Old House Books |isbn=978-1-8735-9012-6 }} – A guide to the Thames written by the novelist's son
*{{Cite book |last=Lysons |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Lysons (antiquarian) |year=1792 |title=Environs of London |volume=I: County of Surrey |chapter=Kingston upon Thames |place=London |publisher=[[Thomas Cadell (publisher)|Thomas Cadell]] |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/environsoflondon01lyso#page/212/mode/2up }}
*{{Cite book |editor-last=Malden |editor-first=H. E. |editor-link=Henry Elliot Malden |year=1967 |orig-year=1905 |title=A History of the County of Surrey |volume=II |chapter=Colleges: Collegiate chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Kingston |series=[[Victoria County History]] |place=London |publisher=[[Institute of Historical Research]] |pages=125–127 |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=37828 |access-date=22 October 2012 |archive-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717013058/http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=37828 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite book |editor-last=Malden |editor-first=H. E. |editor-link=Henry Elliot Malden |year=1911 |title=A History of the County of Surrey |volume=III |series=[[Victoria County History]] |place=Westminster |publisher=[[Archibald Constable]] & Co |pages=487–516 |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3 |access-date=21 November 2015 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128235333/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite book |last=Thorne |first=James |year=1876 |title=Handbook to the Environs of London |chapter= Kingston-upon-Thames |place=London |publisher=[[John Murray (publishing house)|John Murray]] |hdl=2027/mdp.39015063815669?urlappend=%3Bseq=409 |chapter-url= http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015063815669?urlappend=%3Bseq=409 }}
*{{Cite book |last=Walford |first=Edward |author-link=Edward Walford |year=1883 |place=London |publisher=[[Cassell & Co]] |title=Greater London |chapter= Kingston-on-Thames |oclc=3009761 |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/greaterlondonnar02walf#page/296/mode/1up }}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.kingston.gov.uk/|Kingston Council}}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.kingston.gov.uk/museum |title= Museum and History Centre |publisher= Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |access-date= 29 June 2006 |archive-date= 22 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140122091647/http://www.kingston.gov.uk/museum |url-status= dead }}
*[http://www.kingstonuponthamessociety.co.uk/ The Kingston upon Thames Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222210022/http://www.kingstonuponthamessociety.co.uk/ |date=22 December 2013 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=397538 |title=Chantry Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, alternative name: Lovekyn Chapel |work=Pastscape |publisher=[[Historic England]] |access-date=3 August 2010 |archive-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326211951/http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=397538 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite encyclopedia |last=Lambert |first=Tim |url=http://www.localhistories.org/kingston.html |title=A Brief History of Kingston upon Thames |encyclopedia=A World History Encyclopaedia |date=14 March 2021 |access-date=6 May 2005 |archive-date=9 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109031109/http://www.localhistories.org/kingston.html |url-status=live }}

{{LB Kingston upon Thames}}
{{London Districts}}
{{London Outer Orbital Path |locale=Kingston upon Thames |forward=[[Hatton Cross]] |back=[[Ewell]] |A=8 |B=9}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kingston Upon Thames}}
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Business improvement districts in London]]
[[Category:Districts of London on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Districts of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]]
[[Category:Former county towns in England]]
[[Category:Market towns in London]]
[[Category:Market towns in Surrey]]
[[Category:Metropolitan centres of London]]