South West London is a lovely part of the city and below we detail all in our Kingston Area Guide.
We have considered all ages and wallet sizes so there’s something for everyone.
If you feel like skipping to any specific point on this page you can do here.
Table of Contents
- Kingston Area Guide – Crime
- Kingston Area Guide – Property Prices
Transport Links
First things first let’s dig into the transport links in and around Kingston.
As far as London goes, the area is a fair distance from what most would call central London.
Some may look at this as a positive however.
With that said there are still good transport links available.
There isn’t unfortunately a tube station but Kingston overground station is a worthy replacement. A train will get you to London Waterloo in 28 minutes, with an off peak ticket costing around £8.
There are a plethora of bus services also available although it’s worth noting that the bus station is closed until summer 2024.
Food and Drink
As you can imagine there are all kinds of pubs and restaurants in the Kingston area. These range from quirky one off’s to established chains.
Here are some of our favourites;
The Boaters Inn
The Boaters Inn is a charming riverside pub located in the beautiful Canbury Gardens in Kingston upon Thames.
It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and we believe for good reason.
The pub has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with a cozy interior and a spacious beer garden overlooking the Thames.
For those not used to dining on the river bank this can be a real treat to relax and watch the river thoroughfare.
The food at The Boaters Inn is excellent. The menu features classic pub fare, such as fish and chips, burgers, and roasts, all of which are made with fresh, local ingredients.
The pub also has a wide selection of beers on tap, including both local and national brews.
The Black Horse
The Black Horse is a bright and contemporary pub located in the heart of Kingston upon Thames.
The pub has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, with a spacious interior and a large beer garden.
The menu features modern takes on classic meals, such as the Black Horse burger, which is made with locally-sourced beef and topped with bacon, cheddar, and onion rings.
The pub dog, Buster, is a friendly and playful resident. He loves to greet guests and play fetch in the beer garden.
The pub is also a popular spot for live music. There are regular acoustic nights on Thursday evenings, and other types of music are featured throughout the week.
Poor Boys
Now a recommendation out of left field with the uniquely titled Poor Boys restaurant.
If you’re looking for a taste of New Orleans without having to fly to the states, then Poor Boys is the place for you.
This small, unfussy restaurant serves up classic New Orleans cuisine, including po’ boys, gumbo, and jambalaya.
The po’ boys are the star of the show here. They’re made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and they’re piled high with meat, seafood, or vegetables.
I tried the shrimp po’ boy, and it was absolutely delicious. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, and the bread was soft and buttery.
The service at Poor Boys is friendly and efficient. The staff are always happy to answer any questions you have about the menu, and they’re always willing to make recommendations.
The food is excellent, the service is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. We highly recommend it.
Noura Lebanese Restaurant
Moving on from the taste of the States to the Middle East.
This family-run, one of a kind restaurant has been serving up authentic Lebanese cuisine for over 40 years.
The menu at Noura is extensive, and it features all of your favorite Lebanese dishes, such as hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, and shawarma.
They also have a wide variety of grilled meats and seafood, as well as a selection of vegetarian and vegan options.
We were absolutely blown away by the food.
The hummus was creamy and flavourful, the baba ghanoush was smoky and delicious, and the falafel were crispy and perfectly cooked.
For a unique experience in a wonderful setting you can’t go wrong with Noura.
Things to do in Kingston London
You won’t be short of things to do in Kingston as there is a wonderful mix of old and new entertainment.
Here are some of the things we feel you shouldn’t miss out on in the area.
Enjoy The Thames
Well it’s not called Kingston Upon Thames for nothing!
Perhaps we could be starting with something quite predictable here, but the river is one of the highlights of the area.
We strongly recommend a walk along the river banks stopping to eat and drink along the way.
There are various boat ride or hire services to consider also.
We recommend Turks who offer a Kingston to Hampton Court service for just £8.60.
Check out Kingston Market
The Kingston Market is a stunning and ancient market.
It has been trading for over 1,000 years and is one of the oldest markets in the country.
The market is located in the town center, on High Street, and is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm.
So if you want to soak up a bit of history while picking up some bargains then take a look.
Visit the Kingston Museum
The Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funded the building of the museum, which adjoins Kingston Library.
The museum runs a programme of temporary exhibitions and events; entry is free of charge.
The museum has three permanent galleries;
Ancient Origins:
This gallery tells the story of the borough’s past from prehistory to Anglo-Saxon times.
It features exhibits on the Ice Age, the Roman occupation, and the development of Kingston as a market town.
Town of Kings:
This gallery charts Kingston’s development as a royal borough from the medieval period until the 1940s.
It features exhibits on the town’s royal connections, its role in the Civil War, and its growth as a commercial center.
Eadweard Muybridge:
This gallery is dedicated to the work of the pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge, who lived in Kingston.
The gallery features exhibits on Muybridge’s experiments with motion photography, as well as his work on animal locomotion and human anatomy.
Legoland discovery centre
One for the families now with Legoland discovery centre being a great attraction.
Unlike it’s theme park big brother, the discovery centre is an indoor family attraction located in the heart of Kingston.
It is a smaller version of the Legoland theme park, but it still offers a variety of attractions for children of all ages.
With the advantage of being indoors it is an all weather venue, good for those wet winter days.
Probably the highlight is the expansive soft play area which is all Lego themed.
This is a great place for your imaginative little ones to run riot.
Kingston Area Guide – Crime
Kingston upon Thames is a safe place to live and visit.
It’s overall crime rate that is significantly lower than the national average.
In 2022, the crime rate in Kingston upon Thames was 66 crimes per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of 102 crimes per 1,000 people.
Kingston Area Guide – Property Prices
As expected Kingston is one of the most expensive places to live in the country.
The average house price according to the Land Registry is £840,065.
The house price growth in Kingston upon Thames is expected to slow down in the coming years.
However, the borough remains a desirable place to live, and the average house price is likely to remain high.
Summary – Kingston Area Guide
Kingston is one of the jewels of South West London with a rich history and stunning scenery.
There is a little bit for everyone with upmarket restaurants a plenty but also classic pubs and entertainment.
Although it is expensive to live in the area it doesn’t feel snooty, with a Primark among other reasonably priced retail establishments present.
The Thames is the highlight for us with stunning walks along the riverbed an absolute must.
In terms of things to do in Kingston London you will not be disappointed.
We love Kingston and think you will too.
