The 856-year-old market in one of the UK’s top places to live is getting upgraded with new roof terrace & food stalls
A HISTORIC market in England is getting a massive revamp – and its in a town named one of the best places to live.
Founded back in 1170, Kingston’s Ancient Market is one of the oldest in London and even the entire UK.
Today, it is home to about 30 local traders including fishmongers, a bakery and street food.
Plans have now been submitted to give the Kingston Market Square a major revamp turning the square into a ‘piazza’, with 45 new Borough Market-like stalls made from sustainable materials with solar panels on top.
The piazza would host pop-ups as well as farmers’ markets, weekend events and concerts too.
If the plans are approved, the Market House nearby would get a refurb as well with the ground floor turned into a restaurant and cafe and the first floor becoming an events space.
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And there would be a new roof terrace overlooking the revamped square.
The statue of Queen Anne that currently sits in the square, will be relocated to the edge of the square too.
The planned revamp is also part of a bigger project to completely revive the area.
Since last year, Between the Bridges – the same operator as the Between the Bridges attraction on South Bank in London – has been operating the 800-year-old Kingston Ancient Market.
Throughout the year, the market usually hosts a number of different events including a Maker’s Market and Christmas market.
The market is open every day from 10am to 5pm.
One recent visitor said: “The market is charming, and offers some very nice gourmet foods, both to take home and dine out for lunch.
“Great atmosphere, particularly in the lead up to Christmas when it really comes alive with a kind of German Christmas market feel and the smell of mulled wine fills the air.”
Another added: “Kingston-upon-Thames is one of London’s most beautiful suburbs.
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“The historic square is also a delightful place surrounded by beautiful and historic buildings.”
Last year, Kingston was also named the second best place to live in the UK by The Times.
The Better Lives Index, which is produced by the International Longevity Centre (ILC) think tank, ranks the authorities across the UK based on nine categories.
Categories include life expectancy at birth, the child poverty rate, pollution, disposable income, housing costs, ‘avoidable’ mortality, life expectancy at 65, economic activity for over-16s and economic inactivity of 50 to 64-year-olds.
If visiting the market or Kingston, make sure to head to the edge of the market square where you will find All Saints Church, which dates back to 1120.
Venture through the town too, where you can peruse a number of independent shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants right next to the river.
You can also head to a couple of pubs with outdoor gardens right next to the river.
If the sun is shining, you can even rent your own boat and sail on the River Thames.
From Central London, it takes just 25 minutes to get to Kingston on the train.
For more places outside of London to explore, there’s an English village under an hour from the city that makes the perfect day out.
Plus, have a look at the trendy London neighbourhood with world-famous new museum and cool hotels.