Family Adventures
Chessington
Home to one of the UK's best family theme parks, Chessington is the gateway to Southwest London for thousands of visiting families. The theme park is the headline — but there's far more nearby than most visitors realise.
The Insider Tip
Don't Just Do the Theme Park
Every year, thousands of families drive to Chessington from Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol — do the theme park, then drive home. They never discover that Hampton Court Palace is 15 minutes away, that Bushy Park has 300 wild deer, or that Kingston riverside has ducks, boats, and a market running since 1170.
Hampton Court Palace
15 min drive. The Magic Garden playground, the famous maze, 750 acres of parkland.
Bushy Park
10 min drive. 300 wild deer, adventure playground, 1,100 acres. Completely free.
Kingston Riverside
15 min drive. Ducks, boats, ice cream, and proper restaurants after theme park food courts.
Family Fun
Things to Do in Chessington
From the theme park to soft play — what's on in Chessington for families.
Chessington World of Adventures
Theme park, zoo, and SEA LIFE centre. Julia Donaldson rides and Paw Patrol areas for younger kids, rollercoasters for older ones. Under-90cm free.
From ~£22 (adult + under-5 weekday deal), ~£35+ standard online
Little Peeps Soft Play
Large jungle-themed soft play with duckpin bowling and gaming zones. Separate area for under-2s.
Session-based pricing — check website
Stay the Night
Where to Stay in Chessington
On-site at the theme park — themed rooms, early park access, and kids who are buzzing before the gates even open.
Also consider hotels in Kingston, Surbiton, and Hampton Court — all within 15-20 minutes of Chessington.
Visiting Chessington
Getting Here
By car: M25 Junction 9, then A243. Large paid car park on-site. By train: Chessington South station (South Western Railway from London Waterloo, around 30 minutes). The theme park is a short walk from the station.
Pro Tips
- • Always book theme park tickets online — gate prices are significantly higher
- • Weekdays during term time are quieter and cheaper
- • Bring a packed lunch — food inside the park is expensive
- • Hotel guests get 1 hour of early park access — use it for the popular rides
- • Download the Chessington app for live queue times
Book tickets: direct at chessington.com, or compare ticket bundles on GetYourGuide.
The GetYourGuide link is an affiliate link — if you book through it we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Kingston Compass free.
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You've booked Chessington. But Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park, and Kingston riverside are all within 15 minutes — and your kids will love them. Here's what most visitors miss.
