Festive fantasy
Christmas is coming to Kingston, Surrey – in a big way. On 13 November when the festive lights are turned on, the Royal Borough will be transformed into Narnia and the magical world of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.
There’ll be characters from the popular CS Lewis book, acrobatic displays in a giant snow globe and even a 3D visualisation of The Wardrobe for visitors to peek into. You can also enjoy an interactive musical show, balloon artists, street magicians and many other attractions – not to mention late-night shopping.
It all adds up to make Kingston upon Thames a great destination for a Christmas mini-break and shopping trip.
Kingston has wonderful shops – individual boutiques as well as well-known highstreet brands including Jo Malone, Space NK, Bentalls, John Lewis, Zara and Gap, Heal’s and a Chelsea FC shop. There’s also a wonderful Antiques Centre to mooch around, with 100-plus traders.
The newly refurbished Ancient Market will be transformed into a traditional Christmas market, selling crafts and festive treats such as mulled wine and roast chestnuts. There will be carol singers, live bands, Santa’s Grotto and reindeer, too.
Kingston has a wide range of places to eat – CAU, at the Riverside Walk development, offers delicious Argentinian food, or try Las Iguanas in the high street. Don’t miss the delicious champagne afternoon tea at Warren House, a handsome Victorian home in wonderful gardens just a short drive from the centre. Do visit nearby Hampton Court Palace while you’re here. Tickets, £17.05 per adult.
0844-482 7799, www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace
Kingston – the name comes from ‘kings tun’, meaning estate of the king – has many royal connections of its own. All Saints Church is on the spot where the rst Kings of England were crowned in the 10th century. You can see the Coronation Stone outside the Guildhall.
Learn more about the borough’s history, and its famous residents, at Kingston Museum. Pioneer photographer Eadweard Muybridge was born here and in Lloyds Bank you’ll nd a commemorative plaque near the spot where Nipper, the dog famously featured on the HMV logo, was buried in 1895.
The museum also has displays about Kingston’s remarkable aviation history – the borough was home to the Sopwith and Hawker companies, now BAE Kingston, for many years.
Base yourself for your festive foray at Chase Lodge, where rooms cost from £105, including breakfast.
020-8943 1862, www.chaselodgehotel.com
Chase Lodge is a short walk away from Kingston centre and the Rose Theatre, where you should de nitely book tickets to see a new production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, on from 30 November 2014 to 4 January 2015.
0844-4482 1556, www.rosetheatrekingston.org
More information on Kingston upon Thames: 020-8547 1221, www.kingstonfirst.co.uk
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
There’ll be characters from the popular CS Lewis book, acrobatic displays in a giant snow globe and even a 3D visualisation of The Wardrobe for visitors to peek into. You can also enjoy an interactive musical show, balloon artists, street magicians and many other attractions – not to mention late-night shopping.
It all adds up to make Kingston upon Thames a great destination for a Christmas mini-break and shopping trip.
Kingston has wonderful shops – individual boutiques as well as well-known highstreet brands including Jo Malone, Space NK, Bentalls, John Lewis, Zara and Gap, Heal’s and a Chelsea FC shop. There’s also a wonderful Antiques Centre to mooch around, with 100-plus traders.
The newly refurbished Ancient Market will be transformed into a traditional Christmas market, selling crafts and festive treats such as mulled wine and roast chestnuts. There will be carol singers, live bands, Santa’s Grotto and reindeer, too.
Kingston has a wide range of places to eat – CAU, at the Riverside Walk development, offers delicious Argentinian food, or try Las Iguanas in the high street. Don’t miss the delicious champagne afternoon tea at Warren House, a handsome Victorian home in wonderful gardens just a short drive from the centre. Do visit nearby Hampton Court Palace while you’re here. Tickets, £17.05 per adult.
0844-482 7799, www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace
Kingston – the name comes from ‘kings tun’, meaning estate of the king – has many royal connections of its own. All Saints Church is on the spot where the rst Kings of England were crowned in the 10th century. You can see the Coronation Stone outside the Guildhall.
Learn more about the borough’s history, and its famous residents, at Kingston Museum. Pioneer photographer Eadweard Muybridge was born here and in Lloyds Bank you’ll nd a commemorative plaque near the spot where Nipper, the dog famously featured on the HMV logo, was buried in 1895.
The museum also has displays about Kingston’s remarkable aviation history – the borough was home to the Sopwith and Hawker companies, now BAE Kingston, for many years.
Base yourself for your festive foray at Chase Lodge, where rooms cost from £105, including breakfast.
020-8943 1862, www.chaselodgehotel.com
Chase Lodge is a short walk away from Kingston centre and the Rose Theatre, where you should de nitely book tickets to see a new production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, on from 30 November 2014 to 4 January 2015.
0844-4482 1556, www.rosetheatrekingston.org
More information on Kingston upon Thames: 020-8547 1221, www.kingstonfirst.co.uk
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk