Little-known facts about Kingston upon Thames

A town fit for a King

Just off the bustling Market Square, All Saints Church, a Grade I listed building, stands proudly with centuries of stories. Rumour has it, Saxon coronations happened right here – seven to be exact. Taking a walk through here is like taking a walk through history. Similar to modern-day political leaders, the individuals crowned here needed to have a thorough understanding of the law and criminal justice systems. Imagine being able to say you studied law, criminal justice and criminology in a living history book like Kingston upon Thames.

The ‘Royal’ Borough

Kingston upon Thames’ “Royal Borough” status is the oldest in England - official since 1927! As you walk down the high street, keep an eye out for crown motifs on street signs and coronation-themed murals. Even bus stops get the royal treatment and are branded. Kingston University has a range of courses in business, management and marketing, as well as creative industries, allowing our students to take inspiration from the local area and implement design elements, theories and ideas into the work they complete as part of their degree.

Build your career from the ground up

Kingston upon Thames was built as the first crossing point on the River Thames upstream from London Bridge. The town is also home to one of the oldest surviving bridges in the entire country, Clattern Bridge, named for the sound made by horse hooves as they crossed. The historic bridge dates all the way back to 1175 and was declared an ancient monument in 1938, complete with blue plaque and Grade I listed status. Imagine studying Architecture or Civil Engineering in a town which is home to such a significant piece of history, still standing. At some point in your time at Kingston University, you might even have a lecture in our Clattern Lecture theatre, aptly named after this ancient artefact. The lecture theatre is located on the ground floor of the Main Building of our Penrhyn Road campus and recently underwent a refurbishment.

You never know who you’ll bump into

The quirky riverside oasis of Kingston upon Thames dates back to 838 AD. Over the last 1,200 or so years, celebrities from every era have called it home, most recently:

• Stormzy – rapper
• Tom Holland – actor
• Luke Shaw – Man United and England footballer

Share a postcode with the ‘founder of modern nursing’

Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale became known for her work during the Crimean War, where she organised care for wounded soldiers in Constantinople. Nightingale had an aunt who lived in Coombehurst House, set on Kingston University’s Kingston Hill campus. As a child, she would visit her aunt and spend time exploring the surrounding area – the library on Kingston Hill campus is named after her. Studying a nursing degree on the same campus that the founder of modern nursing spent her summers is definitely something to brag about.

As you begin your uni application process, keep in mind all of the elements that will make your uni experience memorable. Kingston University London truly has something for everyone and every interest. Our students love the town of Kingston upon Thames and all it has to offer. From its convenient location and proximity to central London, to the royal parks on our doorstep, Kingston University London has become a home away from home for our students. We know you’ll love it here too.