Sunbury-On-Thames between history and the Thames

Sunbury-On-Thames brings together several distinct reasons to stay: the historic Walled Garden, the Church of St Mary the Virgin, the Sunbury Gallery as the permanent home of the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery, recurring traditions on the Thames, and a rail connection to London Waterloo and Shepperton. These features of the area offer different highlights for a stay.

Garden and church architecture

The historic Walled Garden in Sunbury Park was laid out in the early 18th century. The Church of St Mary the Virgin represents a different period: Stephen Wright designed it in 1752 to replace a medieval church on the same site. Wright was Clerk of Works to Hampton Court. This gives you a specific comparison: the garden points to a design from the early 18th century, while the church is a later building that replaced a medieval predecessor. If local history informs your travel plans, the garden’s history and the succession of two churches on the same site offer distinct points of interest.

Gallery: permanent home and programme

The Sunbury Gallery is the permanent home of the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery. It also regularly offers visitor groups exhibitions, workshops and talks throughout the year. The embroidery’s permanent home and the regular programme of events are two distinct reasons to include the gallery in your travel plans. If your group visit is planned around a workshop, talk or exhibition, it is worth checking the current programme in advance.

Traditions on the Thames

Every July, Lower Sunbury is the starting point for the traditional “Swan Upping” ceremony. During the event, two Livery Companies mark the swans on the upper reaches of the Thames. The traditional Sunbury Annual Regatta takes place in August on the stretch of river around Rivermead Island. The difference in months offers a simple starting point for planning your trip: Swan Upping is in July, and the regatta is in August. The two events also differ in character: one is a ceremony, the other a regatta.

Green spaces and local history

The grounds of Sunbury Park, Walled Garden and Orchard Meadow include a café, a natural play area and parking. This practical side complements the Walled Garden’s historical associations with a place to stop for refreshments, a play area and parking. The Lendy Memorial recreates a structure that stood on Sunbury’s riverbank until it was destroyed during the Second World War. Sunbury Lock is known for its attractively maintained gardens. Both features are linked to the river, but tell different stories: the memorial recalls a destroyed structure, while the gardens contribute to Sunbury Lock’s well-kept character.

Rail connections and reasons to visit

Sunbury station connects Sunbury-On-Thames with London Waterloo and Shepperton. If either destination is part of your travel plans, you can weigh this rail connection alongside local cultural and event-related attractions. This lets you plan your stay around a specific rail destination or an event in Sunbury. These are different factors when choosing a hotel: rail destinations on the one hand, and history, the gallery and the events calendar on the other.

Discover more destinations: Crowhurst, Englefield Green, Frimley, Frensham, Godalming, Woking, Bookham, Worplesdon

For the broader travel guide: Surrey.