There is something absolutely magical about Kingston, an air of grandeur that stems from its royal past that dates back to pre-1066 England, when the Saxons still ruled England and the Normans were building a name for themselves in continental Europe.
It’s a town that’s both proud of its heritage and that’s embraced its future, a town for shoppers, culture-vultures, history buffs, foodies, party animals and people watchers.
Kingston, in other words, is a town of many facets.
I spent three years living there when I enrolled at Kingston University, and not a day went by that I didn’t discover something new about it or in it.
Unfortunately, however, not many of those travelling to London visit this wonderful place – heading instead to better-known boroughs like Camden and Southwark – and that’s a real shame.
History
Kingston has had many names over the past 1,500 years, but it’s always stood for the same thing: the estate or manor of the king.
In fact, the importance of Kingston to England’s rulers predating the 1066 Norman invasion cannot be overestimated.
It was the first royal borough anywhere in England and the country’s kings got crowned in St Mary’s Chapel, which stood at Kingston’s religious heart until 1730, when it collapsed.
The Coronation Stone from that chapel now stands proudly outside the Guildhall, where Kingston Council is housed – and that is definitely one of the first things you should go see, because even though it’s not visually breathtaking, its story is.
You should also visit the collegiate chapel of St Mary Magdalene, where the only private chantry chapel pre-dating the English Reformation can still be admired in all its medieval glory, although a bit whitewashed due to the said Reformation.
Kingston is renowned for being the birthplace of Eadweard Muybridge, who changed his name from Edward to Eadweard due to a name of a king on the Coronation Stone.
Muybridge is world-famous for his pioneering work in motion photography, and his The Horse in Motion is now an icon of moving images that still inspires artists all around the globe.
At the Kingston Museum and Heritage Service, you can view the largest collection of Muybridge’s bequest anywhere in the world, and you can get to see some incredible pieces that helped pave the way for the cinema and You Tube.
Culture
As a university town, Kingston is home to a youth theatre that is constantly buzzing with one production or another.
Many professional plays are held there too and actors such as Dame Judi Dench have graced its stage in spectacular productions that were affordable enough even for students to attend.
Kingston is also where you’ll get to see the famous Out of Order sculpture. Created by David Mach, the landmark is made up of a number of telephone boxes leaning on each other in a Domino-inspired effect – and, if you’re going to take a selfie anywhere in Kingston, there’s the place to do it.
Wander around the narrow lanes and winding alleys to discover artisanal shops
For Harry Potter fans, make sure you pop to Surbiton Train Station, which is just 20 minutes away on foot from the town centre.
The cafe on the platform and the actual station are where Harry discovers that Death Eaters have attacked the Millennium Bridge and where he meets the Muggle waitress at the beginning of the sixth film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Shopping
If you love shopping, you’ll love this borough. There are more than 500 shops, including a huge John Lewis, a Bentalls department store, a terrifyingly oversized Primark, a well-stocked T. K. Maxx, an Apple iCentre and a Chelsea FC flagship store, among many others.
You’ll find most of these shops at the Eden Walk Shopping Centre, Clarence Street, Kingston’s High Street or the Market Place, but don’t just stop there.
Make sure you wander around the narrow lanes and winding alleys to discover fascinating jewellers, corner stores selling hard-to-find brands of cigarettes, instrument shops and artisanal pâtisseries.
Leisure
Like many other towns that have to cater for students and visiting relatives, Kingston has a great nightlife, with lots of restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs.
Places like the Hippodrome, McCluskys and Pryzm attract party goers from all over London.
Foodies can look forwards to a truly multi-cultural eating experience: from Indian to Italian to pub grub, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
My advice is to find a restaurant that looks promising by the river and go there. Don’t worry about the food not being good, the competition there is so cut-throat that they just have to excel every time.
In fact, Kingston is well-equipped for visitors.
Its main areas are closed to traffic, so you can stroll and take in its beauty. The riverbank is wide and peppered with bars, restaurants and benches and its people are friendly and always willing to help.
So next time you go to London, make sure you visit this gorgeous, historic town, even if it’s just for one day.