Local meetings, events and activities
Stay informed, get involved and connect with others. For ongoing weekly activities, keep scrolling or click here. If you’d like an event listed, please email chessingtondra50@gmail.com
Local Community and History Month
Take a step back in time and visit Chessington Memories at the Hook Centre. See historic photos and read firsthand accounts of the moments, people and places our community holds dear. There’s also a fun competition to enter to win one of local historian and author Mark Davison’s ‘Remembered’ series of books about Chessington and Hook. Another exhibit will be The Hook Book. Curated by The Community Brain in collaboration with Kingston University, this exhibition brings together a diverse collection of student-led research, creative artwork, and local exploration.
CDRA Executive Committee Meeting
Our Executive Committee Meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month. You are welcome to attend, even if it’s only for a short while.
Drop-in sessions with local police team at King’s Centre
The Chessington South and Malden Rushett Metropolitan Police run informal drop-in sessions at King’s Centre Chessington, where residents can meet the local Safer Neighbourhoods team to discuss issues and concerns.
Lego Freebuild at Hook and Chessington Library
Calling all masterbuilders! Come along to the library on Saturday and brush up your Lego building skills. Suitable for ages 5+ (parents/carers must remain with your children for the duration of the session). No booking required, just turn up.
CDRA Annual General Meeting 2026
We are delighted to welcome two skilled and knowledgeable speakers to our Annual General Meeting. Local historian Mark Davison returns this year with A Look at Old Hook from a rural farming hamlet to a busy suburb of Kingston borough. As Cyber Protect Officer for Surrey Police, Daniel Sykes‘ talk Online Safety for Beginners: An Overview of Cyber Crime will provide tips to keep you and your family safe online. Refreshments afterwards. Everyone welcome – you do not need to be a member of CDRA to attend.
South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee meeting
Neighbourhood Committees have responsibility for certain development control, highways and other place based functions including the management of public parks and community halls and engagement with local residents, businesses, campaign groups and voluntary and community sector organisations. Information about committee members, meeting minutes, agendas, recordings of previous meetings can be found here.
Drop-in sessions with local police team at King’s Centre
The Chessington South and Malden Rushett Metropolitan Police run informal drop-in sessions at King’s Centre Chessington, where residents can meet the local Safer Neighbourhoods team to discuss issues and concerns.
CoderDojo – Free coding sessions for young people
If you are, or know, a young person aged 7 – 17 years curious in computers and computer coding, join Kingston University’s free computer coding and digital skills sessions. Whether you have no experience at all or a bit more knowledge or experience, all are welcome. Girls are especially encouraged to attend. Sessions start at 2pm. There’s a screen break at 3pm for a chance to eat or drink. At 4pm there is a Show and Tell, at which any of the children can come up to the front and show off what they’ve made. Typical activities include programming using Scratch and Python, electronics with Raspberry Pi or Micro:bit, websites (HTML/CSS), robotics, AI, game making with Unity. A parent or carer must accompany youngsters under 11 years of age. Advance booking essential.
Bus Route 213 Heritage Day
Come for a ride on heritage buses through Kingston, New Malden, Worcester Park, Cheam and Sutton as part of London Bus Museum’s programme of bringing buses out of the museum to run again in and around London. They will be running buses dating from the 1930s to the 1990s from 10am to 5pm. These buses will be joined by other buses from private owners. It is completely free and you can ride the buses all day! This is not part of the usual TfL services but will run alongside the regular 213 and 293 bus route on which fares apply.
Epsom RDA Summer Fair
Epsom Riding for the Disabled Association’s Summer Fair includes lesson demonstrations, stalls and local crafts, food and treats, petting ponies, face painting, Pimm’s Tent. Plus there’s be displays from Surrey Classic Vehicle Club and music from Epsom Hospital Radio.
Police Ward Panel Meeting
Ward panel meetings are informal quarterly meetings where our safer neighbourhood police team, the council and residents from the South of the Borough neighbourhood come together to discuss issues in our area, share information and find solutions. Meetings include a report of local crime statistics and information on recent incidents. All residents welcome. Just turn up.
Summer Festival at Bourne Hall
A free, family-friendly Summer Festival at Bourne Hall. Enjoy a lively day of live music from local artists, food and drink, fairground rides, and a wide variety of craft and market stalls. With activities, entertainment, and community organisations on hand, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
Animal Magic – the story of Chessington Zoo
Celebrating the history of Chessington Zoo through artefacts, stories and memories.
Tolworth Court Farm Rewilding Day
To,worth Court Farm Fields is an important Local Nature Reserve and valued green space in the area. Come along and learn and take part in wildlife-friendly management techniques to enhance the site and encourage wildlife-friendly behaviour by the public. This is an opportunity to meet new people and learn skills such as vegetation clearance in preparation for the reintroduction of cattle to the site. This can also include clearing rubbish and debris from the site.
Other ongoing events and activities
Chessinton Junior Chess Club
When: Mondays (term time), 7-8pm
Where: The King's Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington, KT9 2GZ
Chessington Junior Chess Club is a volunteer-led club dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and educational environment for children in the area to learn and play chess.
Cost: £7 per session (plus £30 annual membership). £5 first trial session.
Chessington Youth Club
When: Thursdays, 6.30-8.30pm (term time only)
Where: Chessington Sports Centre, Garrison Lane, Chessington KT9 2JS
Drop-in youth club for young people aged 10–16 years to socialise and engage in sports, games, music, planning trips and more. A safe space to chill and hang out with friends.
For more information, contact Gary Weston-Shaw on gary.weston-shaw@achievingforchildren.org.uk or 07717 541616.
Chessington Community Fridge and Pantry
When: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10am-1pm
Where: St Mary’s Centre, Church Lane, Chessington KT9 2DR
Run by volunteers, this New Era Community project is committed to reducing food waste. Surplus items are collected from supermarkets and provided to the public. New Era strives to nourish lives and prevent good food from ending up in landfills.
Repair Cafe Kingston
When: First Saturday of every month, 10.30am-1pm
Where: Kingston Library, Fairfield Road, Kingston on Thames, KT1 2PS
The Repair Café Kingston offers a friendly space where residents can bring broken items to be fixed with help from volunteer repairers. Visitors can watch, learn, chat, and enjoy refreshments. It saves money, waste, and carbon. The service is free, with optional donations, and is run by Transition Town Kingston.
Knit and Natter at Hook and Chessington Library
When: Fridays, 11am-12.30pm
Where: Hook and Chessington Library, Hook Road, Chessington KT9 1EJ
Knitting and crochet group. Just bring your wool and a chat! Free. Booking not required. Contact 020 8547 5006.
Square 1 Cafe Chessington
When: Fridays 11.30am-3pm
Where: Chessington Sports Centre (inside Chessington School grounds), Garrison Lane, Chessington KT9 2JS
Square 1 Café is a well-being, safe and inclusive space provided to anyone of any age experiencing isolation, loneliness or hardship – or who just want some friendly company and a chat, to play games, watch a movie or listen to music. Run by New Era Community Projects.
Sisterhood Choir
When: Tuesdays, 11am-12.30pm (term time only)
Where: Voices of Hope, 161A Clarence St, Kingston on Thames KT1 1QT
As the name suggests, this is a choir for women. A great way to make lasting friendships whilst having huge fun! It is free of charge, and you will get to sing a wide range of songs. No previous experience necessary, if you love to sing, you’re in! Just turn up on the day.
Kitchen Roots Community Cafe
When: Tuesdays, 12.45-2.00pm
Where: St Mary’s Centre, Church Lane, Chessington KT9 2DR
Kitchen Roots Community is a new social enterprise working with The Community Brain to provide healthy, tasty, sustainable meals for the local community. Join us for lunch or a hot drink. Eat in or take away on a 'pay what you can' basis. No booking needed; just drop in.
Weekly Bridge Club at Hook and Chessington Library
When: Wednesdays at 2pm
Where: Hook Library, 13 Hook Road, Chessington KT9 1EJ
Fancy having a go at playing bridge in a friendly, relaxed environment? Head to Hook Library. No experience necessary and sessions are free. Find out more by calling 020 8547 5006 or emailing hook.library@kingston.gov.uk
Open Cafe Warm Space
When: Mondays, 8.30-11am
Where: St Mary’s Centre, Church Lane, Chessington KT9 2DR
We host a Monday morning coffee drop-in at the St Mary’s Centre from 8:30am to 11:00am, offering tea, coffee, biscuits and the occasional cake (no charge). Come along for a chat and a warm drink. Feel free to invite any friends, neighbours or relatives who might enjoy some company – they’ll be very welcome.
Social Sketching Sessions with the Chessington Art Group
When: Fridays, 2-4pm
Where: Hook Library, 13 Hook Road, Chessington KT9 1EJ
Anyone is welcome to come along and join in. The sessions are an informal opportunity to sketch any subject or a “set piece” that may be flowers, an object of interest, the surroundings or maybe even a live model occasionally. Sessions are restricted to pencil sketching, but all mediums are catered for at our regular Thursday meetings.
Free Community Family Tennis Sessions
When: Saturdays, 1.30-2.30pm
Where: Chessington Sports Centre, Garrison Lane, Chessington KT9 2JS
A new initiative aimed at getting families to spend more time together while being active in their local community. These fun, game-based tennis sessions involve the whole family. Aimed at families with children aged 4-10 (not exclusively). All abilities welcome and all equipment provided. Parents/guardians to take part and help out at the sessions.
Rhymetime at Hook and Chessington Library
When: Wednesdays, 10.30am (term time only)
Where: Hook and Chessington Library, Hook Centre, Hook Road, Chessington KT9 1EJ
Songs and Rhymes sessions last around 30 minutes and are suitable for children under five. Held during term time only, Rhymetime operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving early. Come along for a fun singsong! Free of charge, no booking required.
Bereavement Cafe at the King's Centre
When: First Saturday of the month, 10-11.30am
Where: King's Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington KT9 2GZ
Are you struggling with the loss of a loved one? Would you find it helpful meeting other people who feel the same as you? Come along to the Bereavement Cafe at the King's Centre.
Team Surbiton – walk and talk group for men
When: Tuesdays, 6.30pm
Where: Surbiton Train Station, Glenbuck Road entrance
Want to get more active? Fancy a chat? This is the place for you. Come along and join a free weekly walk and talk group for men. Contact 07397 501110 or email theproperblokesclub@gmail.com for more details.
Phoenix Social Club for over 60s
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 10am-4pm
Where: King's Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington KT9 2GZ
Would you like to join a social club for senior people and make new friends? Don't be lonely, come along and have some fun and companionship. The club meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays 10am-4pm at the King's Centre, Coppard Gardens. You are welcome to join in any of the activities and any outings, this includes a small art section that meet on Tuesday mornings.
For more information call Maureen Barney on 020 8287 0162 or pop in on any of the days the club is on.
Move it or Lose it
When: Tuesdays, 1.30-2.30pm
Cost: £6 per class. First class free.
Where: King's Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington KT9 2GZ
Turn back the clock with this fun and friendly exercise class to improve balance and confidence, mobility and flexibility, strength and independence.
For further information contact Lucy on 07411 579191.
Dancing Books
When: Wednesdays 14th January - 25th March
11.00-11.40am and 11.50am-12.30pm
Where: Hook and Chessington Library, Hook Centre, 13 Hook Road, Chessington KT9 1EJ
Fun active FREE sessions for children under 4 and their carers, Dancing Books encourages early literacy, phonetics, imagination and storytelling through creative movement. Run by Dance West, the teachers make learning to love books an exciting adventure. Sessions are engaging, interactive and designed to support your child's development.
Singalong
When: 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month
Where: The Corner House Community Arts Centre, 116 Douglas Road, Surbiton, KT6 7SB
If you enjoy singing old favourites – from classic musicals to much-loved pop songs of the 1930s-70s – come and join Singalong. This welcoming group is especially suited to people with dementia and their carers, but everyone is invited. We provide song sheets, plus tea and cake to enjoy together.
Free to join. Booking not required.
For more information, please email singalongkt6@gmail.com
Bowls Club at the King's Centre
When: Tuesdays, 2-4pm (except 3rd and 17th March, 21st April 2026)
Where: The King's Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington, KT9 2GZ
These Tuesday sessions are open to all, regardless of age or ability. Whether you are an experienced bowler or new to the game, everyone is welcome. Equipment and tuition provided.
Free.
Call the King's Centre on 020 8391 5522 for more information.
Forever Active Mind and Body
When: Wednesdays 11.35-12.35am
Where: Tolworth Recreation Centre, Fullers Way North, Tolworth KT6 7LQ
Cost: £4.35
Low impact workout for the over 50s designed to reduce your stress levels, improve posture, balance, flexibility and leave you feeling calm and centred.