My A-Z of Kingston-Upon-Thames

A is for Antiques. Kingston has a wealth of antique shops on the London Road so pretend you are on ‘Bargain Hunt’ or look for something fantastic and vintage.

B is for Bentalls Shopping Centre — a shopping mecca and haven! Especially Thursday late night shopping when parking is free and the shops are eerily quiet.

C is for cyclists, cyclists, cyclists! No problem with cyclists on roads or tow-paths but in Richmond Park it feels like entering a war-zone! Blood pressure rises, you try to give them a wide-berth then they go 3-astride for a chat or overtake you at break-neck speed!

D is for Diversity. Families, students, young professionals and the elderly all come together in a ‘hotchpotch of outlooks’ to enjoy the borough.

E is for ‘Eateries’! Kingston and Surbiton have a wealth of amazing places to have great food. From quick lunches, gastro pubs, to leisurely fine dining — we really do have it all!

F is for FabricLand which has been my godsend for many last minute kids dressing up costumes. It is a hidden gem!

G is for GBK….I lurrvvvee their burgers and the very naughty and moreish bacon mayonnaise!

H is for Hampton Pool. Take a picnic and make a morning or afternoon or it. With heated outdoor pools all year round, it is not just a summer option.

I is for Las Iguanas and their fantastic cocktails, happy hours, extensive gluten-free menu and laid back style.

K is for Kingston Bridge. It looks beautiful lit up at night.

L is for London Road and the iconic toppled telephone boxes, ‘Out of ‘Order’.

M is for Markets. I love our markets! Our food markets, Farmer’s markets and Christmas markets! Such a great buzz!

N is for Nonsuch Park and it’s lovely pantry café.

O is for Odeon. The Odeon and the Rotunda offer great family entertainment, Ten Pin, Amusements and family dining favourites.

P is for Parks. In particular, our stunning Royal Parks, Bushy Park and Richmond Park. I love the sensational ‘Isabella Plantation’ and the child-friendly ‘Pheasantry’ with it’s café.

Q is for Queen Anne, the ‘Gold Lady’ who regally presides over the Kingston Market Place.

R is for the ‘Riverside’. Boat trips and boat hire. Great bars and restaurants with alfresco dining. Swans galore, the Queen Promenade and the cycle towpaths to Hampton Court and Richmond….I could go on and on and on..!

S is for South West Trains and ‘packed like Sardines’. Heavily relied on by us all, yet cursed by so many of us — the trains are so ridiculously packed!

T is for Theatre. We are so lucky with the great shows which the Rose Theatre has on offer! Especially love the comedy events they show.

U is for the University and the nearly 20,000 students that attend it…they add a vibrancy to the town.

V is for the ‘Vista of St Paul’s Cathedral’ from King Henry’s Mound in Pembroke Lodge grounds. Always wondered how they maintain it…?

W is for ‘Whirlygig’, the fun and colourful barge moored near Woody’s Bar in Kingston.

X is for Xmas in the borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Bit of a cheat but X is tricky! Can’t beat Christmas shopping followed by a Bratwurst and a beer in the market square.

Y is for Yacht club. ‘Minima’ is a community amateur sports club with membership open to all. Offering ‘paddling, canoeing, kayaking’ as well as racing for those more confident on the water.

Z is for ‘Zafari Bar and Grill’ at the Chessington Safari Hotel. In the summer months, eat overlooking the safari animals and if you are lucky, they will open the gates to the Wanyama Village and Reserve so you can explore the animals close up. We have been known to take a glass of wine on the stroll up to see the giraffes and zebra.

What would be on your A-Z list?