Staines-upon-Thames has been described as a hidden jewel. Surrounded in part by “green belt” land, the town dates back to Roman times when its first bridge and fort were built by the continental invaders. The name ‘Staines’ comes from the Old English word for ‘stones’ – and was most arguably given due to the stone piles left when the departing Romans’ bridges were wrecked by the Saxons. The local presence of ancient Druidic ceremonial stones is another, often quoted, theory.

The town’s elegant new white granite bridge dates from 1832.

The importance of the town as an historic Market town and its numerous waterways, meadows and lakes close to London, allows the area to boast access to a multitude of scenic attractions.  Amongst them, Runnymede (where ‘Magna Carta’ was signed in 1215); Richmond’s Deer Park; Windsor Great Park; Savill Garden; Virginia Water; and Thorpe Park. ‘Legoland’ and Windsor Castle are very close by. Riverboat trips are a traditional favourite. Various reservoirs offer sailing, and miles of nature trails, and the Thames towpath, can be explored all the way to nearby Hampton Court Palace in London.

Horse racing is not far – at Kempton Park, Windsor and Royal Ascot.  Brooklands Museum, on the world-famous motor racing circuit showcases interesting motoring and aviation artefacts – and Chertsey Museum puts Staines into its historical context. Laleham Village’s 18th and 19th century buildings offer a view of the past, and a great Sunday lunch venue in one of its country-style pubs. Penton Hook Marina is the country’s largest inland marina, albeit representing just a small part of the area’s wealth of water-related pastimes and activities.

Previously famed for exploiting the worldwide production and marketing of linoleum.  Staines has now shaken its manufacturing past to become the principal retail town in Spelthorne Borough, The TwoRivers shopping centre together with Elmsleigh centre and the vibrant High Street, testify to its retail importance and shift to café culture. Also offering several large supermarkets, a multitude of restaurants/cuisines, a multi-screen cinema, and several sports and fitness facilities.

Kings’ Staines Lettings Office, in the town’s historic Church Street, nestles by the River Colne, and serves Landlords and Tenants in Wraysbury, Sunbury, Walton, Ashford, Chertsey, Englefield Green, Hounslow, Shepperton, Stanwell, Virginia Water, East Bedfont, Thorpe, Horton, Egham, Colnbrook, Feltham, Laleham and West Drayton.

For travellers, and the huge number working at/around Heathrow Airport, Staines is conveniently close, and although the whole area may be subject to varying aircraft noise, the town lies to the south of the airport, and is not under its east-west aligned flight paths – therefore noise is actually far less than other neighbouring towns not so fortunately placed. With immediate proximity to four motorways (M25, M3, M4 & M40), and London (Waterloo) only a 35 minute rail journey away, the town and surroundings are a major focal point for commerce and a base for many international firms, including BP, Centrica, IBM, Samsung, BUPA, Gartner, BAA and, of course, British Airways.

The area offers an excellent range of State junior and secondary schools. Private schools in the area include the renowned Staines Preparatory School, and St. James in nearby Ashford. There are two close-by American schools (ACS and Tasis) and Egham is home to London University’s Royal Holloway College.
 
If you are thinking of letting your home, or renting property in Staines, contact Kings’ Staines Lettings Office.

(NB: Parts of the Thames Valley may be prone to seasonal flooding, however flood prevention measures are always in operation.)