Getting to Kingston Upon Thames
Kingston Upon Thames History
Things to do in South West London from Kingston at a Glance
- Visit Kingston Ancient Market
- Seek "Out of Order"
- Tour Strawberry Hill House and Gardens
- Make a Pitstop for Coffee and Cake at The Mugs Patisserie
- Enjoy an Indian Feast at Atithi in Twickenham
- Shop Church Street in Twickenham
- Stroll York House Gardens
- Tour Eel Pie Island
- Stop for a Drink at the White Swan on the Thames
- Visit Orleans House Gallery
- Walk Marble Hill Park
- Enjoy Coffee and Cake at Islay in Teddington
- Walk Along the River Thames from Teddington Lock to Kingston.
- Indulge in Indian Food for Dinner at Chakra
- Drink a Gin and Tonic at Chadwick's House of Zoology
- Take a London Workcation Coffee Walk
- Sample English Rose
- Spend the Day at Hampton Court Palace
- Take a Break at Little H at Molesey Lock
- Drink and Eat Your Way from Hampton Court to Kingston
- Have Coffee and Cake on Kew Green
- Spend the Day at Kew Gardens
- Get Lost in Richmond
- Go Upscale for Dinner at One One Four in Teddington
Map of Things to do in South West London
Things to do in South West London from Kingston in Detail
1. Visit Kingston Ancient Market
One of the top things to do in Kingston Upon Thames is to browse the Kingston Ancient Market. The open air market in Kingston is a great place to pick up some fruit and veg or grab a bite for lunch.
I even stumbled upon a stall selling half price blueberries. Sold! Kingston Ancient Market is open 7 days a week. The market's origins can be traced back to the 13th century. 
2. Seek "Out of Order"
David Mach's "Out of Order" is probably Kingston's most famous tourist attraction. Located at the end of Old London Road, "Out of Order" depicts several bright red phone booths tipping like dominos.
This modern art installation has been in place for over 10 years and is a popular South West London photo spot.
3. Tour Strawberry Hill House and Gardens
Catch the bus from Kingston to Strawberry Hill House and Gardens. This neo-Gothic mansion was built in Georgian times by Horace Walpole, son of England's first Prime Minister.
Insider Strawberry Hill House, you'll find amazing period stained glass protected by pocket shutters.
Pay 12.50 GBP for a self-guided tour. Knowledgeable docents in each room are a wealth of information about the house and historic personalities who lived there.
One of the most memorable scenes from Strawberry Hill House is the bright red gallery with gold leaf ceiling featuring a historic painting of Catherine de Medici and 4 of her 10 children.
The painting was donated in lieu of paying inheritance tax (apparently a fairly common thing in England).
4. Make a Pitstop for Coffee and Cake at The Mugs Patisserie
We walked from Strawberry Hill House to Twickenham, about a 10 minute walk.
We enjoyed a slice of carrot cake plus eggs with avocado puree on toast served with an Americano at The Mugs Patisserie. Mugs looks kind of unassuming from the outside, but the food is fab!
5. Enjoy an Indian Feast at Atithi in Twickenham
If you are hungrier for more than just cake and coffee, I recommend enjoying an Indian feast at Atithi in Twickenham. Poppadoms and spicy dipping sauces took the edge off our appetite. We followed it up with fish pieces atop a spicy green sauce.
Vegetarian curry, rice, and naan rounded out the meal nicely. They even brought me a bowl of chopped raw chillies to kick things up a notch.
My eyes were watering from the spicy food as I looked around to appreciate the decor. Atithi is definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in South West London.
6. Shop Church Street in Twickenham
Walk into Twickenham and onto pedestrianized Church Street. Browse quaint shops selling unique local souvenirs or simply bask in the atmosphere and grab some photos for your Instagram feed.
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7. Stroll York House Gardens
Emerge at the end of Church Street and head into York House Gardens. It's fun to amble through York House Gardens along a very quiet section of the River Thames in Twickenham.
Follow the promenade along the river. We took a short detour when we spotted some statues peeking above the hedges and discovered a delightful and mossy ornate Italian fountain.
Continuing on, we found all sorts of colorful wildflowers. Another small mossy pond was tucked away down a narrow path over a wooden bridge.
We left the York House Gardens through an open gate and once again found ourselves along the river.
8. Tour Eel Pie Island
Make sure to take a brief tour of Eel Pie Island, another place to visit in South West London with fascinating history. Eel Pie Island was famous for its Jazz and Blues clubs in the 1960s.
We crossed the bridge to the island and spent about 15 minutes walking around. We were faced with gates and 'private property' signs at every turn. It wasn't a particularly inviting place.
The one exception was the Loveshack whose gate was wide open. I smiled when I saw the notice posted on the gate: Notice: Thank you for noticing this new notice. Your noticing it has been noted.
We left the island and continued a short walk along the Thames. We discovered an informational sign that highlighted some of the musical artists that got their start on Eel Pie Island.
9. Stop for a Drink at the White Swan on the Thames
We'd done a lot of walking and exploration at this point and decided to stopping for a cheeky afternoon drink (Sipsmith Gin and Tonic for me!) at the White Swan on the Thames in Twickenham.
Sit out on the porch near the entrance or on the terrace closer to the Thames. We saw some tide markings which led me to believe that sometimes the terrace is inaccessible when the river is running high.
Fortunately for us, there were no issues on the day that we visited and we were able to enjoy our quiet drink against the backdrop of the Thames.
10. Visit Orleans House Gallery
We continued our walk along the Thames Path between Twickenham and Richmond in South West London. In the process, we stumbled upon Orleans House Gallery.
Check out free modern art exhibits and a chance to see the historic Octagon Room. We were encouraged to move around the pieces in an exhibit about the Nile to contribute to an ever-changing narrative, much like the ever-changing nature of the Nile River itself.
11. Walk Marble Hill Park
We continued on to Marble Hill Park. The park was quite large and we passed the coach house and ice house before arriving in front of Marble Hill House, a Palladian mansion built for the mistress of King George II.
Marble Hill House and Park is worth a visit if you are passing through the area, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to visit if I didn't have another reason to be in this area of South West London.
12. Enjoy Coffee and Cake at Islay in Teddington
We took the bus from Marble Hill Park to Teddington, another super-quaint place to visit in South West London.
We took the opportunity to pop into Islay Coffee and Cake to warm up with an espresso. Islay Coffee and Cake had a great local vibe.
13. Walk Along the River Thames from Teddington Lock to Kingston.
Properly fueled from the coffee break, take the opportunity to walk the Thames Path from Teddington Lock back to Kingston.
The walk takes about 45 minutes and largely traces the course of the River Thames. We emerged among lovely shade trees and the calls of parrots in Canbury Gardens in Kingston.
Kitschy flamingo boats, swan boats, and house boats covered in items of flair proliferate along the Thames in Kingston.
14. Indulge in Indian Food for Dinner at Chakra
If you are looking for a hearty and authentic meal in Kingston Upon Thames, grab Indian food for dinner at Chakra. Garlic Naan, Chicken Tikka, and Lamb Rojan Josh hit the spot after our long walk back from Teddington.
Chakra is situated right along the Thames and sports views of historic Kingston Bridge.
15. Drink a Gin and Tonic at Chadwick's House of Zoology
We wandered past Chadwick's House of Zoology, noticed what appeared to be three storeys of forest growing inside and just had to go in. Most people were upstairs where we were told they serve "theatrical" drinks.
We stayed downstairs where they serve an extensive menu of gin and tonics and other cocktails. We loved having the place to ourselves. We absolutely loved the Red Admiral made with hazelnut bourbon and a surprise chocolate truffle.
I can't resist an extensive gin menu with recommended pours. I opted for Portobello Road Gin with London Essence Pomelo and Pink Pepper Tonic.
We absolutely loved Chadwick's House of Zoology! It's the perfect place for a mid-week workcation cocktail in South West London.
16. Take a London Workcation Coffee Walk
One of our favorite things to do on a workcation is explore local coffee shops on a morning walk. We really appreciated the opportunity to get an early start to explore a place like Kingston and have it all to ourselves.
Beanberry Coffee became our go-to place for coffee during our week in Kingston. On one visit we had a well-crafted oat latte and tried two different espresso beans: JavaScript and Wildcat.
The next time we opted for V60 drip coffee. We tried the 8am Blues seasonal blend and a single-origin Ethiopian brew.
Beanberry proved to be great fuel for our walks! We picked up a flat white and some beans to take home on the final day of our workcation.
On one of our other morning walks in Kingston Upon Thames, we stopped for coffee at Forunella Cafe.
We paired a respectable cappuccino with a pan au chocolat from Olivier's Bakery at the Kingston Ancient Market.
Coffee in hand, keep an eye out for cool mosaic street art under the train bridges in Kingston. Alternatively, take a stunning morning walk on a sunny day along the Thames in Canbury Gardens in Kingston.
We loved the life-like reflections in the water and a surprising number of swans in flight. Swans are so elegant in the water yet so awkward in the air!
17. Sample English Rose
One of the great things about a workcation is that you can stock the kitchen and try some local specialties. We finished one of our workdays with *gasp* an English wine.
A rose from Aldi caught my eye because of the pink door on the bottle (my regular readers know how much I love door photography, especially Dublin door photography).
It turns out that this particular English Rose was a respectable offering! I would definitely buy it again.
18. Spend the Day at Hampton Court Palace
We started with a tour of Henry VIII's kitchen. The audio guide tour of Hampton Court Palace is free and really well done. Transport yourself back to the Tudor era and imagine what it took to put food on the King's table.
We got acquainted with Henry VIII and the fascinating tales of his six wives by touring his royal apartments.
It is rumored that the palace is haunted by Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's 5th wife who tried to escape her date with the executioner by running and screaming through the halls.
We especially enjoyed exploring Georgian history at Hampton Court Palace. Things I learned: when Queen Anne died in 1714 without an heir to the throne, England had to scramble to find a successor.
Many of Anne's closest relatives were Catholic so in the end Georg of Hanover in Germany became England's King George I.
We ended up touring Hampton Court Palace a bit out of order. Next up, the 17th century State Apartments of William and Mary.
We admired sumptuous decorations that escalated the deeper you went into their chambers. The State Apartments of William and Mary also featured an impressive and artistic display of arms.
It was fascinating to hear a different perspective about the "Glorious Revolution" in which William defeated then King James to take the throne.
Learn about the other side of the story at the Battle of the Boyne site in Ireland which can easily be combined with a weekend in Carlingford.
Hampton Court Palace is also known for its extensive and fabulous gardens. We checked out the coiffed trees, fountain, and long canal.
You may even catch a glimpse of the deer descended from Henry VIII's hunting herd. The Wilderness at Hampton Court Palace is indeed wild and covered with daffodils in March.
You can also check out the kitchen garden en route to the Tiltyard Cafe at Hampton Court Palace. Keep an eye out for hidden sculptures.
There is also a hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace. We decided to pass on it since it was overrun with school groups when we visited.
The Privy Garden at Hampton Court Palace was for the exclusive use of the monarch and their family. Today, you can wander freely. We really appreciated the great views and golden light in the afternoon.
There are a number of formal art galleries featuring works from the royal collection at Hampton Court Palace. Don't miss the Mantegna Gallery (accessible from the Privy Garden) with its collection of Roman sculptures and paintings dating back 500 years and covering the Triumphs of Cesar.
19. Take a Break at Little H at Molesey Lock
We took a break from exploring Hampton Court Palace to get coffee in the sun at Little H at Molesey Lock along the Thames Path.
There is a cafe at Hampton Court Palace, but Little H seemed like a much nicer option. A cappuccino and goat's cheese and apricot toastie enjoyed in the sun was just what we needed.
Walk through Hampton Court Village on your way back from Molesey lock. The village is just a block or two square but I found it to be incredibly picturesque.
20. Drink and Eat Your Way from Hampton Court to Kingston
We took the bus from Kingston to Hampton Court Palace (1.65 GBP with Oyster Card) but decided to walk back with a few pitstops on the way.
We grabbed a pint of Guinness to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in an idyllic setting at Ye Olde Swan in Thames Ditton.
Next up? We stopped for a surprisingly fun Plumble 11 cocktail (pink gin, Fernet Branca, Cocchi Rosa, strawberry, lemon, and plum bitters) served over crushed ice in a bright blue Roman head sipped on the Thames at Hideaway in Surbiton.
We finished the day with a Happy Hour Cocktail (blood orange and grapefruit gintonica) and dinner of fish and chips and a plant-based burger at Hart's Boatyard.
After dinner, we followed the Queen's Promenade back to Kingston. Without breaks, it would take about an hour and fifteen minutes to walk from Hampton Court Palace back to Kingston.
The food and drink breaks really made it more feasible for us. We logged over 20,000 steps for the day!
21. Have Coffee and Cake on Kew Green
Kew is a quaint South West London town. Take the bus from Kingston to Kew and enjoy coffee and cake at Sift. The place is pretty tiny.
There were just a couple of benches outside on a very trafficky street. We drank our coffee and ate our snack outside historic St. Anne's Church on Kew Green instead. Such a lovely spot!
22. Spend the Day at Kew Gardens
Another top tourist attraction in South West London is Kew Gardens. Did you know that The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is one of 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London?
We spent the day at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Enter via Elizabeth Gate on the Northeast corner of the gardens. The cost to enter Kew Gardens is 19.50 GBP per person if you book a timed ticket online in advance.
First stop? Bright orange Kew Palace and the Queen's Garden. We discovered very cool displays of blooms at Davies Alpine House at Kew Gardens.
Check out The Hive at Kew Gardens, a modern art installation that mimics the vibratory communication of bees.
One of the top things to do in Kew Gardens is tour iconic Palm House, a Victorian-era greenhouse. I loved the spiral staircase that allows visitors to get a bird's-eye view of the plants on display.
We discovered 10 different climate zones to explore in the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens. The orchids on display were particularly lovely.
Temperate House at Kew Gardens is the largest Victorian greenhouse still standing in the world and was recently refurbished.
Explore rare and exotic plants from around the world. Climb the spiral staircase for fantastic views both inside and out.
The Marianne North Gallery at Kew Gardens is an absolute must see. No photos allowed inside, but prepare to be dazzled by ~1000 oil paintings featuring flora and fauna from Ms North's travels around the world in the 19th century. Absolutely spectacular!
We caught a glimpse of the Pagoda at Kew Gardens and then ducked out of the Lion's Gate. From here the train station in Richmond is about 1 km away.
23. Get Lost in Richmond
We decided to walk from Kew Gardens to Richmond and take some time to explore this lovely South West London town. An adorable laneway caught my eye in Richmond which led me on a detour.
If not for this diversion, we likely would have missed out on our next stop... Time for craft beer and an afternoon snack at Tap Tavern Richmond.
We sampled lovely and surprisingly light calamari plus bread and vegetables with beetroot and pea hummus.
We took a little time to walk around and admire the magnificent Spring magnolias in Richmond before catching the bus back to Teddington for our dinner reservation.
24. Go Upscale for Dinner at One One Four in Teddington
Our time in London was drawing to a close. We decided to finish our trip with an upscale dinner at One One Four in Teddington.
The two (35 GBP) or three course (42 GBP) prix fixe at One One Four comes with focaccia, an amuse bouche (mini arancini ball), and a mini cocktail. I opted for a Gin and Tonic instead of wine with dinner.
The gin menu at One One Four was quite extensive. No slim line tonic though, buy hey, it was a special occasion so I just went with it.
We enjoyed a tuna tartare starter, cod and duck breast mains followed by a mini cheesecake pre-dessert at One One Four in Teddington. This was followed by an absolutely fabulous chocolate marquise and then petit fours with the bill.
Such a fantastic meal in Teddington to finish off our workcation trip to South West London!
Where to Stay in South West London
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