Kingston upon Thames

[Hen2018]

What is there to do in Kingston upon Thames on a cold weekday with almost no money?

DC has an interview there next week with the VSO.

I like history, walking and tea.

Walk along the tow path to Hampton Court Palace. Cup of tea in the Tiltyard cafe. Look at the garden bit you can get into for free. The daffs are stunning if it’s that time. Walk back through Home Park.

It is £££ to get into Hampton Court but Tis gorgeous to see from the river bank and drive. To find the cafe go up the main drive and at the palace turn left. I think it’s signposted.

Tiltyards were jousting courtyards. This are was Henry VIII’s. And look at the chimney pots on HCP. No two are the same.

Those sound like great ideas. Just been looking on a map and I see it’s near Surbiton, where the Good Life was set. I always thought that was a made up place because it sounded like suburbia!

Off-topic, although TGL was set in Surbiton it was actually filmed in Northwood (outer NW London)!

Kingston Museum (shut on Monday) is interesting. Then wander to All Saint's church (Anglo Saxon) and drink a cup of tea in their cafe. Then walk along the river.

You can walk round the kitchen gardens at HCP for free, or take a walk over the road to Bushy Park to see the gorgeous Deer and Parakeets. The 111 from the central bus station drops you off outside Bushy/ the palace, and is very quick.

Kingston is pretty much shopping shopping shopping in my mind, but Richmond Park is close by (drive or bus) and it's Isabella Plantation is lovely (well it was in summer).

Doris the 216 does the same journey too.

• I used that bus route when working at M&S when doing my A levels many years ago.

Agree that Bushy Park is a great place for a wander and the river along side Hampton Court.

Kingston is very historic and (I think) was where the first seven kings of England were crowned. The market place and riverside are lovely but, despite the history, it is mostly a shopping area.