Join us to draw the ancient market town of Kingston upon Thames. There has been a town here since Anglo-Saxon times; now, it’s a mix of modern and ancient, offering a great variety of sketching opportunities in the town and on the river.
The day is run by John Swanson and Theresa Abbott
Timings and Meeting Points
11.am We will meet by the war memorial in Union Street close to the market and next to Everyday Church. The what3words location is ///stump.nurse.across
13.00 Meet on the green behind the memorial for the first throwdown.
15.30 Meet at the same place for the final throwdown.
If it’s wet, we will use Cloisters Mall for the throwdowns. The entrance to the Mall is a little to the left of the memorial (if you are facing the statue from the street). It doesn’t look too inviting, but if you walk to the end and turn right it opens out in a covered walkway behind the green.
Afterwards
For those who would like to stay longer, we will meet in the Druids Head, a large pub with a garden at the rear, at the bottom end of the market.
Opportunities to Draw
The Market
Kingston Market is open seven days a week, with many stalls selling food and drink. It is surrounded by interesting and attractive buildings, many of them highly decorated.
The Market House
This is in the marketplace, with a guilded statue of Queen Anne surveying the stalls.
15 and 16 Market Place
This extraordinary building, with timbered gables and statues of kings and queens, looks ancient, but was in fact built as a shop for Boots the Chemists, in 1909.
The Druids Head A large pub on the marketplace that dates back to the 16th century.
All Saints Church
There has been a church here since Anglo-Saxon times; this is where several Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned. The present building dates from 1120. It has a good café, too.
The Clattern Bridge
This was built in 1175. It crosses the Hogsmill River just before it meets the Thames, and is still in use today. To get the best view, go down the alley just past the Druids Head pub.
Kingston Bridge and the Riverside
There are pubs and restaurants on the riverside and many boats moored up, on both sides of the river.
Modern Architecture
If your drawing preference is for modern constructions, Kingston is full of such buildings, in the town and on the riverside.
Practical Information
Getting there
Trains to Kingston run on a loop from Waterloo. You can also join the train from the Underground at Richmond or Wimbledon. The meeting point is a few minutes’ walk from Kingston station.
Although Kingston bus station is closed for upgrading, the town is well served by buses.
There is no free parking, but several car parks with payment. John Lewis, the Bentall Centre and the Cattle Market are three that you will find as you cruise around the one-way system.
Food and drink
There is a huge number of cafés, restaurants and pubs, while the market has many food stalls, with seating. All Saints Church has a good café.
Toilets
There are well-maintained and accessible public toilets in the Bentall Shopping Centre. Otherwise, the many pubs are probably the best option.
Art Supplies
If you forget any materials, there are two great art supply shops in Kingston:
Cass Art is at 103 Clarence Street; and
Pullingers is at 25 Fife Road.
Both are very near the station.
Map
Further information
Wikipedia has a lot of information about Kingston: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Thames
If you’re new to Urban Sketchers London, have a look at Mike Whalley’s brief history of the international Urban Sketchers movement
