In 2025 to celebrate the forming of Chessington District Residents’ Association, we created ‘Chessington Memories’ to share residents’ memories and stories from the past fifty years … or more!
Chessington has been here longer than many people realise. Its name came from Anglo-Saxon Cissan dūn, meaning a ‘hill belonging to a man named Cissa’. In the Domesday Book, compiled in 1085-6, Chessington appears as Cisedune and Cisendone.
The mansion at Chessington World of Adventures, known today as the Burnt Stub, was originally built in 1348. In the English Civil War, it became a royalist stronghold and was razed to the ground by Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentary forces, giving it its modern name. St Mary’s Church in Garrison Lane dates from the 12th century. On the main road near Hook Parade is Vane cottage, which is dated 1669.
Share your memories
To celebrate CDRA’s 50th anniversary, we are collecting memories of Chessington. Perhaps you have one you would be willing to share? We’d love to hear from you. We will share the memories on our website, social media and at our Annual General Meeting, Celebrate Chessington event and other local venues.
Please email your memories to chessingtondra50@gmail.com.
Please read our terms and conditions
Read your memories
London 2012 Olympic torch
“My greatest memory of Chessington was before I became a Councillor, and that was when the Olympic Torch was carried…
London 2012 Olympic torch Read more
Doodlebug bomb near Chantry Road
“I was born in 1939 in Kingston Hospital. My parents had bought a new home in Chantry Road with a…
Doodlebug bomb near Chantry Road Read more
Ace of Spades Roadhouse
“At its peak in 1933 the once glorious Ace of Spades Roadhouse boasted an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, ballroom dancing…
Ace of Spades Roadhouse Read more
15 years driving buses
“I have lived in the borough all my life. I went to Moor Lane, Gosbury Hill and Fleetwood schools which…
15 years driving buses Read more
Sainsbury’s at Ace Parade
“I grew up in north Kingston and remember visiting my grandparents who lived on Hook Road. We would go shopping…
Sainsbury’s at Ace Parade Read more
The staff of Eliot Godfrey Chemist, Hook Parade
The above photo was provided by Helen Cain. It was taken in the 1980s and shows the staff of Eliot…
The staff of Eliot Godfrey Chemist, Hook Parade Read more
RTL double-decker bus 406
“This photo is from June 2024 of a green RTL double-decker doing the 406 run. I picked it up at…
RTL double-decker bus 406 Read more
Sainsbury’s fresh meat price list 1970
This notice was displayed in December 1970, a little more than fifty years ago, at what was then Sainsbury’s at…
Sainsbury’s fresh meat price list 1970 Read more
My dad the ‘sapper’ in the Royal Engineers
“The photo shows my mum, dad and sisters Margaret (9 years), Patricia (4 years) and Rosemary (2 years) at Chessington…
My dad the ‘sapper’ in the Royal Engineers Read more
2nd Hook Scout and Guide Band
“This photo brings back great memories of the 2nd Hook Scout & Guide Band taken around 1983-84. The scout master…
2nd Hook Scout and Guide Band Read more
Final week of Woolworths
The above photo was taken by Julie Turner during the final week of Woolworths on Hook Parade being open. It…
Final week of Woolworths Read more
Filming at Chessington North Station
“I remember Chessington North station becoming Brighton North station for the day in 1961. It was used for the making…
Filming at Chessington North Station Read moreBuckland Primary School
“My three children went to Buckland Primary School from 1984 to 1999. My four grandchildren also went to Buckland. My…
Buckland Primary School Read moreSt Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
“St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church on Leatherhead Road holds many memories for me. It was my grandmother’s church. She…
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Read moreThe underground air raid shelter on Copt Gilders
“I’m nearly 87 and moved into my house in Gilders Road at the age of 3 months! I was educated…
The underground air raid shelter on Copt Gilders Read moreChessington Zoo
“My memory of Chessington is the Chessington Zoo from the early 1970s. I was 7 or 8 years old. We…
Chessington Zoo Read moreFond memories of Fircroft Road
“I recently stumbled across your website whilst “googling” the house where I spent the first nine years of my life.…
Fond memories of Fircroft Road Read moreThe founding of CDRA
“I recall attending the public meeting of the founding of the Association. My recollection of the Association’s beginnings is of…
The founding of CDRA Read moreChantry Road, Chessington
“I moved to Chantry Road, Chessington when I was six. That house had views to Epsom Downs. Every year, we’d…
Chantry Road, Chessington Read moreWarm welcome we received in Chessington
“In 2011, I moved from Devon, where I had spent 54 years of my life, to Chessington to be with…
Warm welcome we received in Chessington Read moreBurst water main
“I remember when the water main burst in Hook Road and created chaos. It was in April 2016. The cellar…
Burst water main Read moreGreat times and happy memories
“Having moved to Chessington as a teenager in 1959, I started work at Hinchley Wood in 1962. I opened my…
Great times and happy memories Read moreMy first visit to Chessington
“I remember my first visit to Chessington as a child (maybe 5 years old) when it was still the zoo,…
My first visit to Chessington Read moreThe pig farm in Chessington
“I don’t know how many residents would remember the pig farm in Chessington. It was on the ground I now…
The pig farm in Chessington Read moreThe vicar at St Paul’s Church
“We moved to Hook in 1976 and once our children reached school age, they attended St Paul’s school, which is…
The vicar at St Paul’s Church Read more