Local elections profile: Kingston upon Thames

2 hours ago

Amy ClarkeLondon

The Out of Order sculpture is a Kingston landmark

Getty Images A outdoor sculpture on a suburban street consisting of a row of 12 red phone boxes that have collapsed onto each other. — The Out of Order sculpture is a Kingston landmark

Ahead of the local elections on Thursday 7 May, we have produced short guides to London's 32 boroughs.

Where is it? The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is located in south-west London and is bordered by Merton, Richmond and Surrey.

What's it like? A historic, cultural and affluent borough that is popular with families. It combines a feel of the countryside and city living.

Neighbourhoods: The main town areas are Kingston, Surbiton, Chessington, Malden Rushett, New Malden, Old Malden and Tolworth.

Places of interest: Ancient Market Place in Kingston, Canbury Gardens, Rose Theatre, Coronation Stone, All Saints Church, Clattern Bridge, Kingston Museum and Out of Order, an art installation of 12 falling red telephone boxes.

Pub quiz fact: The Clattern Bridge, which carries traffic over the Hogsmill River in the town centre, is believed to be the oldest surviving bridge in London.

Population (2021 estimate): 168,100

Demographics:According to the census in 2021, 68.3% of residents identify as white, 17.8% as Asian, 5.4% are mixed race and 2.8% identify as black.

Average property price: According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average house price in January 2026 was £578,000.

Average monthly rent: The ONS reported that the average monthly rent in February 2026 was £1,808.

Council tax: Band D council tax in the borough in 2026/27 is £2,097.61.

Transport: There are 11 train stations in Kingston and around 400 bus stops, along with two bus stations.

Getty Images A bridge across the river Thames - there are parks and office and residential buildings on both sides of the river. — Kingston is on the River Thames

Local history: Kingston upon Thames is one of England's oldest royal centres and has been linked to the coronation of several Saxon kings.

Early rulers such as Æthelstan and Eadred are believed to have been crowned in the town, which is why Kingston is often described as the place where England began.

The Coronation Stone, traditionally associated with these ceremonies, remains a key historic landmark. The town's name comes from the Old English word Cyningestun, which means royal farm or estate.

The town preserves important medieval features including Clattern Bridge, considered the oldest surviving bridge in London, as well as a 12th Century undercroft.

Kingston grew as a significant market town during the Middle Ages and later developed as the administrative centre of the surrounding area.

The Coronation Stone is believed to have been the site of the coronation of seven Anglo-Saxon kings

Getty Images An ancient block of stone surrounded by railings in a suburban London street. — The Coronation Stone is believed to have been the site of the coronation of seven Anglo-Saxon kings

What is the electoral history of the borough? Kingston has swung back and forth between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems since 2002. From its creation in 1965 it was a Tory borough until 1986 when it went to no overall control. The Lib Dems first took the council in 1994 and have run it since 2018.

What happened in the 2022 election? The turnout was 45.5%.

Lib Dems: 44 seats (+5)

Conservatives: 3 seats (-6)

Independent: 1 seat (+1)

Since the election there have been a number of defections: the Kingston Independent Residents Group now has three councillors.

Election expert Tony Travers on what might happen in Kingston upon Thames

What might happen in Kingston?

Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics said Kingston is currently Liberal Democrat held, it was a Conservative/Liberal Democrat marginal in the past.

Given the plight of the Conservative Party nationally in the polls, this looks like a pretty safe hold for the Liberal Democrats, but with the possibility the Greens could win one or two wards.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk