Kingston Upon Thames, better known as Kingston by locals, is a south west London Borough and municipal town along the northern banks of the River Thames. As it was established next to the river Kingston had always been a significant parish with records of the settlement dating back to the first century. The municipal borough of Kingston Upon Thames was not established until 1835, and has since developed from a military aircraft manufacturing base, to a major tourist centre filled with entertainment, arts and culture, attracting millions of visitors to its historic town centre every year. For those residing in Kingston, easy access to local amenities and top rated schools make it a great place to bring up a family, as well as providing a small town environment without sacrificing the big city. The overground trains operated by Southwestern Railway take around 15 minutes to reach Clapham Junction, with routes out of the city splitting at Raynes Park Station towards Epsom, Surbiton and Twickenham.