Kingston was built at the first crossing point of the Thames upstream from London Bridge and a bridge still exists at the same site. Kingston was occupied by the Romans, and later it was either a royal residence or a royal demesne. Kingston upon Thames appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as Chingestone and Chingetun(e). It was held by William the Conqueror. Its domesday assets were: a church, five mills, three fisheries worth 10s, 27 ploughs, 40 acres of meadow, woodland worth six hogs.
Shopping is well catered for and is generally towards the upper end of expectations, with a good mixture of familiar High Street chains and more select boutiques. 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.
- Map of area: Kingston
- Postcode: KT1, KT2
- Population: 7,864 (Grove Ward)
- Average age: 37.74
- Average house price: £286,999
- Local authority: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
- Within the congestion zone: No
- Train/tube: Kingston NR, Norbiton Nr
- Bus routes: 57, 65, 71, 85, 111, 131, 213, 216, 281, 285, 371, 406, 411, 418, 465, 481, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, X26
- Banks: 25
- Cinemas: 1
- Doctors: 10
- Dentists: 15
- Leisure facilities: 4
- Libraries: 3
- Supermarkets: 5
- Theatres: 1
- View pre-school nurseries
- View schools