Did you know that...
The name Kingston Upon Thames derives from the Old English words “cyning” and “tun”. It means “the king’s estate”. The area is first mentioned as Cyninges tun in the year 838 and then as Chingestune in 1086. The 838 record mentions a meeting between Ecgberht, King of Wessex and Ceolnoth, Archbishop of Canterbury. The Domesday Book records William the Conqueror as the owner. In the 13th century, Kingston Upon Thames was an important place because the bridge across the Thames was found in this area. In the 14th century, the area was called Kyngeston super Tamisiam. By the 16th century, the name had changed to Kingestowne upon Thames.
Before the 10th century when King Athelstan created the kingdom of England, Kingston Upon Thames was the border between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. The local All Saints Church dates from the 12th century but the 838 record mentions a church in this part of South West London. The Guildhall is a Grade II listed building in Kingston Upon Thames. Architect Maurice Webb designed this 1935 building in Neo-Georgian style. It was a magistrate’s court until 2011. Another Kingston Upon Thames landmark is the Out of Order sculpture by David March.
Peter Cox, the lead singer of the Go West band, lived in Kingston Upon Thames. Actress Kelly Reilly lived here as well. Anthropologist Nigel Barley was born in the area. Actor Finn Cole who played Michael Gray in Peaky Blinders was also born here. More than 18 million people per year visit the shopping centers in this KT1 area. The Bentall Centre is one of the largest. It was open in 1992 and it has 75 stores and services. Its atrium ceiling is higher than Westminster Abbey’s nave and St Paul’s Cathedral’s dome. It was the first mall in the UK to implement a no-smoking policy.