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Surbiton, London, England

Surbiton
Central Surbiton - geograph.org.uk - 1077777.jpg
Surbiton is located in Greater London
Surbiton
Surbiton
Surbiton shown within Greater London
OS grid reference TQ180673
London borough
Ceremonial county Greater London
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town SURBITON
Postcode district KT6, KT5
Dialling code 020
Police Metropolitan
Fire London
Ambulance London
EU Parliament London
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°23′38″N 0°18′25″W / 51.394°N 0.307°W / 51.394; -0.307Coordinates: 51°23′38″N 0°18′25″W / 51.394°N 0.307°W / 51.394; -0.307

Surbiton is a suburban area of south-west London within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated next to the River Thames, 11.0 miles south west of central London. Surbiton was formerly within the County of Surrey, but became part of Greater London in 1965 following the London Government Act 1963, together with many areas including neighbouring Kingston and Richmond. Surbiton possesses a mixture of Art-Deco courts, more recent residential blocks and grand 19th century townhouses blending into a sea of semi-detached 20th century housing estates.

The present-day town came into existence after a plan to build a London-Southampton railway line through nearby Kingston was rejected by Kingston Council, who feared that it would be detrimental to the coaching trade. This resulted in the line being routed further south, through a cutting in the hill south of Surbiton. Surbiton railway station opened in 1838, and was originally named Kingston-upon-Railway. It was only renamed Surbiton to distinguish it from the new Kingston railway station on the Shepperton branch line, which opened on 1 January 1869. The present station has an art deco façade.

As a result, Kingston is now on a branch line, whereas passengers from Surbiton (smaller in comparison) can reach London Waterloo in about 15 minutes on a fast direct service; as well as places further afield, including Portsmouth and Southampton.


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