Last updated: 29/07/2024

In this guide to the school holidays, we’ll explore the best of what Kingston has to offer for families and friends, from delightful food and drink options to historical attractions, shopping experiences, green spaces, and riverside fun. We’ll be updating it throughout the summer period when new offers and events become available, so keep checking!

Click to jump to a category:
Events & Activities for Kids
Food & Drink
Where Kids Eat Free
Heritage & History
Retail
Outdoor Activities
Indoor Activities
Things to Do for Adults

Events & Activities for Kids

In order to plan out your weeks, we’ve put together a bumper guide of all the events and activities for kids (and adults!) happening in Kingston over the summer holidays.

  • Living History Corner, Kingston Museum, Thurs-Sat, 10am – 5pm in August/September: Step back in time and experience history come alive at Kingston Museum.
  • San Francisco in Kingston Exhibition, Kingston Museum, every Thurs-Sat 10am – 5pm: Explore the fascinating connection between Kingston and San Francisco at this unique exhibition.
  • Summer Film Club, Kingston Library, from 16 July: Join the Summer Film Club to learn the basics of film-making Kingston Library. Make sure to get a ticket!
  • Children’s Summer Holiday Pizza Baking Classes & Parent’s Brunch, Fenwick, 22 July – 29 August: Kids learn to bake pizzas while parents enjoy a relaxing brunch at Fenwick. Places are limited so make sure to book yourself in!
  • Crafty Thursdays, All Saints, every Thursday in August, 1:30pm – 3pm: Join All Saints for some crafting led by their playworker!
  • John Lewis’ Summer of Fun, John Lewis, every Saturday in August: Enjoy treasure hunts, face painting, balloon animals, live performances.
  • Gardening Workshop & Bubble Fairies, Bentall Centre, 3 August: Learn gardening tips and be mesmerised by magical bubble fairies.
  • Storytelling & Walkaround Flower Men, Bentall Centre, 17 August: Delight in captivating stories and meet whimsical walkaround flower men.
  • Nerf Summer Tour, The Entertainer, 23 & 24 August: Join the action-packed Nerf Summer Tour for thrilling fun and games.
  • Onyx Vibez, FUSEBOX, 24 August, 12pm – 4pm: Onyx Vibez is the perfect event for parents and all of the family to party hard alongside their kids to their favourite tunes. Book yourself a spot.
  • Flower Painting Workshop & Flowerpot Heads, Bentall Centre, 24 August: Paint beautiful flowers and see adorable flowerpot heads.
  • Making Musical Instruments, Kingston Library, 27 August, 10am: Craft your own musical instruments and discover the joy of making music.
  • Lego Free Build Session, Kingston Library, 30 August, 10am: Let your imagination run wild with a free build Lego session at Kingston Library.
  • Healthy Eating Workshop & Enchanted Flower Globe, Bentall Centre, 31 August: Learn about healthy eating and marvel at the Enchanted Flower Globe.

Food and Drink

There are so many spots to grab something to eat or drink in Kingston, with cuisines from all over the world – you’ll never be bored or out of options when looking for somewhere to go!

If you’re looking for a light breakfast of pastry and coffee, brunch or lunch, try wandering around the Apple Market. There are firm favourites such as The Terrace Eatery, Fortunella, Bonne Bouche. ExCellar in the Ancient Market Place is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner – perfect for kids and grown-ups, with selections of cakes and an extensive wine list along with pizzas and charcuterie for evenings out. Mimosa in Griffin’s Arcade, just off the Ancient Market Place, is a laidback Portuguese coffee shop complete with Portuguese treats, and deli items you can take home with you, while The Cheeky Pea in Eden Walk packs a punch with their Middle Eastern cuisine.

Head towards Thames Street for brunch and specialty coffee at Local Hero, or Old London Road for Marna, a relaxing coffee spot with sweet treats, and Old London Road Cafe for a community-minded coffee shop with a vegan-friendly menu. Old London Road has a range of independent venues to grab a bite to eat – local favourite Thai on Thames, or hip Italian-American deli shop The Neighborhood.

When it comes to dinners out, you can’t miss the restaurants with a beautiful view down at Riverside Walk. There are so many to choose from – Chakra, Bill’s, Cote Brasserie, Comptoir Libanais, Hache Social, and Busaba. Ocean Basket, Narenj and Stein’s on High Street also have beautiful views of the water – these restaurants are perfect for dining al fresco and feeling the summery breeze from the river. High Street is also home to Latin-inspired Las Iguanas, Thai restaurant Giggling Squid, local favourite in Kingston with award-winning pizzas Al Forno, and long-standing vegetarian restaurant Riverside Vegetaria. There are multiple other restaurants dotted around town – for Japanese-Danish fusion, try out Sticks’n’Sushi in the Bentall Centre, or if you’re in the mood for traditional Turkish or Lebanese food, try Capadoccia or Le Val on Fife Road, or Mojen in Charter Quay. Griffins Arcade is also home to independent restaurants 36 Streets, Megan’s, and Poor Boys.

The Ancient Market Place has a wide range of international street food. You can try any cuisine from Ethiopia to India and take in the sights of Kingston’s historic market place while on a shopping break!

For more food options, visit our Eat & Drink page.

Where Kids Eat Free

It’s always nice to be able to treat the kids to a meal out – and it’s even nicer when kids can eat free! Read on for which restaurants in Kingston have kids eat free deals this summer.

  • YO! Sushi: From 1 July to 31 August, except for Saturdays and Sundays, kids eat for free all day in YO! Sushi restaurants when dining with a full-paying adult (there’s a minimum spend of £10, and a maximum of three kids per booking)
  • Las Iguanas: Download the app and get free meals for kids under 12 every time you visit. Each adult ordering a main course from the a la carte menu can claim a free kids meal, which includes a main, two sides and a dessert.
  • Bill’s: Up to two kids can eat free ALL DAY from Monday 22nd July – Friday 30th August (excluding Saturday & Sunday), if one adult orders any main dish (breakfast, lunch, or dinner). Weekdays only. Can be used on Bank Holidays.
  • Pizza Express: Kids can eat free with one Piccolo meal with any pizza or main, all day, every day until 11 August 2024. T&Cs apply.
  • LEON: Kids eat free all day every day this August.

Heritage and History

After your food break at the Ancient Market Place, you may want to continue your journey into Kingston’s heritage. The Ancient Market Place itself has been used as a market since the 1200s, with the Market House being built in the mid-1800s and featuring a gilded statue of Queen Anne – it was used as a town hall until 1935. There are also many historic buildings around the Ancient Market Place, including the mock-Tudor façade on the Anthropologie building, added to an existing Edwardian building in the twentieth century. Just next door is the oldest building in Kingston, currently hosting The White Company – this building dates back to the 1500s, while the building which hosts the Druids Head is from the 16th century and a Grade-II listed building.

Just down the road from the Ancient Market Place is the Guildhall, which has the historic Coronation Stone in its grounds. The Coronation Stone is an ancient Sarsen stone block (the same stone used for building Stonehenge), which is believed to have been the site of the coronation of seven Anglo-Saxon Kings including Athelstan in 925, Eadred in 946, and Ethelred the Unready in 979. Across from the Guildhall is Clattern Bridge, which crosses the Hogsmill River. Clattern Bridge was found to be dated to around 1200, meaning it is one of the oldest intact bridges in England. The origin of the bridge’s name ‘Clattern’ came from the clattering of horses’ hooves crossing the cobbles of the bridge.

Kingston Bridge was initially constructed in stone in 1826 and later expanded in 1914 and 1998. About 100 feet downstream, behind John Lewis, you can find the spot marked in cobblestones where the original 12th-century wooden bridge once stood. Until the 18th century, this was the only Thames crossing besides London Bridge.

If you want to find out more details about Kingston’s history and heritage, why not book a historical walking tour with Kingston Tour Guides? They are completely free and suitable for all ages – book yourself in here.

A visit to Kingston Museum is a must for families seeking to explore the history and culture of Kingston upon Thames. The museum, located in a beautiful Edwardian building, offers a fascinating glimpse into the town’s past through a variety of engaging exhibits and displays.

Children will love the hands-on activities and interactive exhibits that bring history to life, while parents can appreciate the detailed collections that cover everything from the town’s Saxon roots to its modern-day developments. The museum also features a special section dedicated to Eadweard Muybridge, a pioneering photographer and Kingston native, showcasing his groundbreaking work in motion photography.

With free admission, Kingston Museum is an educational and enjoyable outing for the whole family. Regular events and workshops make it a perfect stop during your summer holidays in Kingston.

Retail

Kingston is one of the best retail destinations outside of Central London. With a wide range of both high-street favourites and independent boutiques, you’ll always find what you’re looking for.

Clarence Street is the main shopping street in Kingston, filled with brands such as Marks & Spencer, Superdrug, Schuh, Office, Skechers, Flannels, Holland & Barrett, The Body Shop, and Fat Face. It’s also home to the Bentall Centre, a shopping centre with all your favourite high street brands – think H&M, Zara, newly opened Bershka, and much more!

Towards the Ancient Market Place is Kingston’s boutique area, with luxury brands such as Astrid & Miyu (who are offering 15% off all services during July!), Reiss, Rituals, Molton Brown, and Jimmy Fairly.

If you’re seeking something different, Kingston has plenty to offer. Check out Pure Vintage, an independent fashion retailer specializing in streetwear brands like Carhartt and Levi’s, alongside vintage fashion pieces. Alternatively, head over to Old London Road for a boutique shopping experience at Mr Mullan’s General Store, where you’ll find unique items sure to impress your friends. For music lovers, Banquet Records is a must-visit, offering a wide selection of vinyl records, CDs, and live in-store performances.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Kingston has multiple stores to choose from. Alpkit, Go Outdoor, and Cotswold Outdoor have all the supplies you need for a summer camping trip or a long hike. Keep on reading for more outdoorsy things to do in Kingston upon Thames!

Outdoor Activities

With lush green spaces and the river Thames flowing by, there are plenty of places to go and soak up the summer sun. You can stroll down Riverside Walk towards Canbury Gardens, which is home to a Bandstand where you can watch live music every Sunday from 3pm – 5pm. Fairfield Recreation Ground is great to play sports or chill in the sunshine, while the parks across the bridge – Bushy and Home Park – are perfect for a long walk.

If you’re wanting to be on the water this summer, there are two ways to see the sights from Kingston to Hampton Court – you can grab a GoBoat from Riverside Walk if you fancy being the captain of your own ship, or walk along to Turks Launches for a private boat ride. Turks Launches often have events throughout the year so check out their website to see what’s on offer.

Kingston also has a wide range of public art throughout the town centre. One of the most well-known and iconic public artworks here in Kingston is ‘Out of Order’, created by David Mach RA back in 1989. The red telephone box is a symbol of British heritage, a sight that you’ll find everywhere you go in London. This installation consists of twelve tumbling telephone boxes on Kingston’s Old London Road. Countless visitors have taken their photo in front of them. The artwork was restored in 2019 to mark its 30th anniversary. You can also head down to Riverside Walk as the evening sets in, and in the area between Cote Brasserie and The Bishop pub you’ll find Echolocation, an impressive eleven metre-long, three-channel video installation by acclaimed artist Mat Collishaw. The artwork was commissioned by Canadian and Portland Estates in collaboration with students from Kingston University.

Another must-see piece of public art in Kingston is ‘Party Animal’ by artist and local foundry owner Alex R T Davies MRSS was installed earlier in 2022 as part of the Kingston Sculpture Trail. The trail ran from August to October 2021 and was organised by a partnership of Kingston First, Kingston Council, Kingston University and Canbury Community Trust. Seven sculptures were installed across the town centre and Canbury Gardens for three months, with a public vote deciding which should be permanently sited in Kingston.

Indoor Activities

As we know, the Great British weather isn’t always so reliable. If you’re wondering what to do with the kids on a rainy day, there are some great options in Kingston.

Pop Playrooms

In the Rotunda, Pop Playrooms is great for a round of mini-golf, AR darts, American pool or shuffleboard. This vibrant entertainment venue is perfect for families with younger children looking for a fun and engaging experience. It’s an excellent spot for rainy days or just a break from the outdoor activities, providing hours of entertainment in a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Escape Rooms

For the adventure-seekers, Kingston has two different escape rooms to visit – Escape Hunt in Eden Walk, or Kingston Escape Rooms in the Rotunda. Kids will love breaking codes and finding keys, and it’s a great way to spend quality time with your family and friends.

There are also two cinemas in Kingston where you can catch the latest blockbuster or a new indie darling. The Rotunda hosts the Odeon, while the Curzon is on the top of the Bentall Centre complete with a rooftop bar where you can relax before watching a film. Both cinemas offer Family Screenings with low prices, so make sure you check that out!

Rose Theatre

If you’re looking for something live-action, The Rose Theatre always has a show on – this summer there are performances of Milkshake! Live, The Gruffalo, The Witch and the Warthog with beloved children’s author Julia Donaldson, Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, and Ministry of Science. You can also enrol your children into The Rose Youth Theatre Summer School, for either three-day or week-long courses.

Wacky Kingdom

Located within the bustling Bentall Centre, Wacky Kingdom is an indoor play paradise for younger children. This vibrant and colourful soft play area offers a safe and exciting environment for kids to burn off energy and engage in imaginative play. With a variety of slides, ball pits, climbing frames, and interactive zones, children can explore and have fun while parents enjoy some shopping or a coffee break in the nearby cafés. Wacky Kingdom also hosts birthday parties and special events, making it a fantastic destination for family fun and celebrations.

Picnic

Picnic in the Rotunda is a delightful children’s play centre and café designed for kids under 8 to explore and learn about the world through imaginative play. Here, children can take on various roles in everyday life, such as fighting fires, solving crimes, delivering mail, or working at a checkout. The centre features 10 themed play areas, including a supermarket, theatre, and fire station, all arranged around a central village square. Join the excitement! Play sessions are 2 hours long and take place at 9am, 11.15am, 1.30pm, and 3.45pm. To ensure your spot, book online in advance.

Things to Do for Adults

Kingston upon Thames offers a diverse and vibrant nightlife scene, with an array of pubs, bars, and clubs – here are some of the top spots for an exciting night out:

Pubs

  • The Bishop: Located by the riverside, The Bishop offers stunning views, a great selection of drinks, and a lively atmosphere with frequent live music events.
  • The Ram: This pub is a local favorite, combining traditional charm with modern amenities and a large beer garden.
  • Woody’s: Known for its eclectic vibe, Woody’s offers craft beers, cocktails, and a friendly crowd, making it a great spot for a night out.
  • The Mill: A cosy pub with a relaxed atmosphere, The Mill is perfect for a casual evening with friends.
  • Cornerstone: This pub is known for its welcoming ambiance and a great selection of beers and spirits.
  • The Fighting Cocks: A legendary venue in Kingston, The Fighting Cocks is a must-visit for live music enthusiasts, hosting a variety of bands and events.
  • Incognito: A quirky and fun cocktail bar with a secretive twist, Incognito offers an exciting experience with its unique drinks and speakeasy vibe.
  • The Gazebo: With its beautiful riverside location, The Gazebo is ideal for enjoying a drink while taking in the scenic views.
  • Bone Idyll: A stylish gin distillery and bar, Bone Idyll offers handcrafted cocktails and a chic atmosphere.
  • The Wheelwright’s Arms: This traditional pub is known for its warm hospitality, excellent ales, and cosy setting.
  • Druids Head: One of the oldest pubs in Kingston, Druids Head combines historic charm with a great selection of food and drinks.
  • The Albion: A vibrant pub with a lively atmosphere, The Albion is perfect for a fun night out with friends.
  • O’Neill’s: This popular Irish pub offers live music, sports on big screens, and a lively environment.

Bars & Clubs

  • Bacchus: Open every day of the week, Bacchus has something different to offer every single night; from R&B to indie nights, there’s something for everyone.
  • PRYZM: Kingston’s premier nightclub, PRYZM offers multiple dance floors, themed nights, and top DJs, ensuring an unforgettable night of dancing and fun.
  • The King’s Tun: A lively bar known for its affordable drinks and vibrant crowd, The King’s Tun is a great spot for socialising.
  • Curzon Rooftop Bar: For a unique experience, visit the Curzon Rooftop Bar, which offers panoramic views of Kingston and a sophisticated setting.
  • ExCellar Wine Bar: This charming wine bar offers a curated selection of wines, perfect for a relaxed and intimate evening.

Kingston upon Thames is a delightful destination that offers something for everyone, making it the perfect spot for summer holidays. Whether you’re exploring its rich history, enjoying the green spaces, indulging in the food scene, or simply relaxing by the riverside, there’s no shortage of activities to keep the whole family entertained. So pack your bags, gather the kids, and get ready for a memorable summer in Kingston upon Thames!

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