England: Kingston upon Thames

Submitted by Gabriella Cammarata on the 2022 spring semester program in London, England…

Exploring your study abroad destination is key to a successful experience. London is a massive city, 15 times the size of another major European city, Paris. You could probably spend a lifetime here and never get bored. Recently, my friends and I ventured over to Kingston upon Thames. Notable as Tom Holland’s hometown, Kingston is an ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned. It is an administrative center of the royal borough that forms part of the South London Partnership. Kingston is characterized by quirky shopping and unique entertainment, yet somehow it felt Americanized. Nonetheless, we really enjoyed the experience!

Kingston upon Thames has been home to a bustling market for centuries with the oldest surviving records dating back to the early 1200s.
David Mach’s Out of Order sculpture is the site of Kingston’s famous falling over phone boxes.