Chessington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chessington |
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 Burnt Stub Mansion |
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 Chessington
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| Population | 18,973 (Chessington North and Hook and Chessington South wards 2011) |
| OS grid reference | TQ183641 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CHESSINGTON |
| Postcode district | KT9 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Chessington is a lively area in Greater London, located within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It used to be part of Surrey. In 2011, about 18,973 people lived here. A small stream called the Bonesgate Stream flows through the area.
Chessington is famous for Chessington World of Adventures, a popular theme park and zoo. This exciting resort is in the south-west part of Chessington. Other towns nearby include Tolworth, Ewell, and Surbiton.
Contents
Discovering Chessington's Past
How Chessington Got Its Name
The name Chessington comes from old Anglo-Saxon words. Cissan dūn means "hill belonging to a man named Cissa." This tells us a bit about its ancient origins.
Chessington in the Domesday Book
Chessington was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. This was a big survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. Back then, it was called Cisedune or Cisendone. The book listed its resources, like mills and woodlands.
The Story of Burnt Stub Mansion
The grand mansion at Chessington World of Adventures is called the Burnt Stub. It was first built way back in 1348. During the English Civil War, it was a stronghold for the King's supporters. Oliver Cromwell's forces burned it down, which is how it got its name, "Burnt Stub."
Later, it was rebuilt and became a beautiful building. In 1931, Reginald Goddard turned the grounds into a zoo. This zoo eventually became part of the famous theme park we know today.
Famous Author Enid Blyton
Did you know a famous children's author lived in Chessington? Enid Blyton, who wrote Noddy, the Secret Seven, and the Famous Five, lived at 207 Hook Road. You can find a special Blue plaque there today, marking her former home.
RAF Chessington Hospital in WWII
Chessington was also home to a former RAF hospital. It started as a barrage balloon depot around 1938. During World War II, it played a key role in defending Britain. It helped protect the country from air attacks by the Luftwaffe.
Famous Faces from Chessington
Many interesting people have lived in Chessington!
- Enid Blyton: The beloved children's author.
- Sir Jack Brabham: An Australian Formula 1 World Champion.
- Petula Clark: A popular singer from the 1960s.
- George Cohen: A member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning football team.
- Bob Geldof: A musician and activist, known for his band The Boomtown Rats.
- Paul Darrow: An actor, famous for playing Kerr Avon in Blakes 7.
- Kelly Reilly: An actress, known for the TV series Yellowstone.
- Errol Brown: The singer from the band Hot Chocolate.
What Chessington Does: Economy
Chessington has some important businesses.
- Sega Amusements Europe, a company that makes arcade games, has its main office here.
- The Chessington Industrial Estate is an area with many different businesses and factories.
Fun Things to Do in Chessington
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
This is the biggest attraction in Chessington! Chessington World of Adventures is one of Europe's top theme park resorts. It includes:
- A fantastic zoo with many animals.
- An exciting theme park with thrilling rides.
- A cool aquarium to explore underwater life.
- Two themed hotels, the Safari Hotel and Azteca Hotel, where you can stay.
The historic Burnt Stub Mansion is also located within the resort grounds.
Green Spaces and Nature
Chessington is great for nature lovers. It has many open spaces and a "Chessington Countryside Walk." This walk is part of the London Green Belt, which protects natural areas. Chessington Wood, in the south, is where the Bonesgate Stream begins.
Chessington Garden Centre
If you like plants and gardening, you can visit the Chessington Garden Centre. It's located in the south of the area.
Exploring Chessington's Areas
Chessington is made up of several smaller areas:
- Chessington North: Also known as North Parade, it's right next to Chessington North railway station.
- Hook: Often seen as the center of Chessington, though it was once a separate village.
- Copt Gilders: Named after an old farm that used to be here.
- Chessington South: This area includes most buildings south of Chessington School and Chessington South railway station.
- Southborough: Close to the A3 road and nearby Surbiton.
- The Ace of Spades: The area around the roundabout where Hook Road meets the A3.
Places of Worship
Chessington has several churches for different faiths. These include St Paul's C of E, St Mary's C of E, Chessington Methodist Church, and St. Catherine of Siena RC.
Sports and Activities
Chessington offers many sports for young people and adults.
- Football: Non-league football clubs like Chessington & Hook United F.C. and Epsom Athletic F.C. play here.
- Rugby: Kingston RFC is based on Hook Road.
- Cricket: Chessington Cricket Club, founded in 1919, plays at the Sir Francis Barker recreation ground.
Chessington Sports Centre
Located at Chessington School, the Sports Centre is a hub for local sports clubs. It has a multi-use sports hall, a fitness gym, and Kingston's only Climbing Wall, called Chessington Rocks.
Motorsport History
The famous Formula One racing team Brabham used to have their factory in Chessington. Today, the site is used by the Carlin DPR GP2 team.
Local Geography
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Hinchley Wood | Surbiton, Kingston Upon Thames | Tolworth | |
| Claygate, Esher |  |
Ewell, Epsom | ||
 Chessington  |
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| Oxshott | Malden Rushett, Leatherhead | Ashtead, Ashtead Common |
Learning in Chessington: Education
The main secondary school in Chessington is Chessington School, which is a mixed public school. There are also many primary schools in the area, such as Lovelace Primary and Ellingham Primary School.
Getting Around: Transport
Chessington has good transport links, including trains, buses, and taxis.
Train Travel
Chessington has two railway stations: Chessington North and Chessington South. They are about half a mile apart. South Western Railway trains run every half-hour to London Waterloo. Chessington South is the last stop on the line.
Road Connections
Chessington is well-connected by road. It's about four miles (6 km) from junction 9 of the M25 motorway. The town is on the A243 Leatherhead Road, and close to the A3, which is a main road from London to Portsmouth.
Bus Services
Many bus routes serve the Chessington area every day. These include routes 71, 465, 467, and night route 65. There are also local routes K2 and K4, and a school service 671.
Images for kids
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St Mary's Church, Chessington
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Hook Road, Chessington
