"More to it than you might think." Staines by planxty

Staines Travel Guide: 15 reviews and 36 photos

Some history, now mainly a suburb.

Staines lies essentially Southwest of London, about 40 minutes by train from London Waterloo, and is now effectively a dormitory comuter town. It does, however, have a more interesting history than that.

The name itself may derive from the old English word for the stones, commemorating a monolith at Stanwell. What is more certain is that the Romans settled here c. 43AD and built at least one bridge over the river Thames. The present day bridge is still an important crossing point.

Later the place was mentioned in the Domesday Book as Stanes, and later, in 1215, the barons assembled here before the met King John at nearby Runnymede where the historic Magna Carta was signed.

Later the town was famous a a producer of linoleum, as commemorated in the statue in the pedestrian precinct in the centre.

Without being unkind, it is not really the place a tourist might choose to visit, although it is a pleasant enough place to spend a day, with well defined river walks, a couple of shopping centres, and a disproportionate amount of excellent restaurants which you can read about in my tips.

Pedestrian Precinct, Staines, Surrey, England.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Close to London and Heathrow airport. Good restaurant selection.
Cons:Not much to do.
In a nutshell:Some history, now mainly a suburb.

Last visit to Staines: Apr 2009
Intro Updated Mar 25, 2011
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Reviews (11)

Bridge, Staines, Middlesex, UK. - Staines

Stroll the river. Things to Do (3)

Staines entire raison d'etre is that it was an ancient crossing place of the River Thames. Readers of my other pages... more travel advice

Anne Boleyn Hotel, Staines, UK. - Staines

Decent but overpriced. Hotels (3)

Since I stayed here recently, I have been thinking about what to write here and I am having difficulty. there is nothing... more travel advice

Town Hall bar, Staines, Middlesex, UK. - Staines

Not exactly what it seems. Things to Do (3)

Isn't it strange how you can think you know a place and not really know it at all? I visit Staines pretty regularly, and... more travel advice

The George pub, Staines, Middlesex, UK. - Staines

Great cheap breakfast. Restaurants (5)

As I have said in other tips, there is a great divergence of opinion in the UK amongst drinkers concerning the... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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hunterV Jun 22, 2009 at 9:59 AM

Hello, Fergy! ><>< Good for you! Thanks for your story! >>>
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Durfun Jun 22, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Re Roshni's - it's supposed to be Ghosht (a lamb dish)!
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suziitripsa Jan 29, 2009 at 1:27 PM

I've stayed in this hotel as well and unfortunately had a very similar experience. The place smells and service is very poor - which is saying something given that other than checking in there should be little to get wrong!