Staines-upon-Thames is a market town in northwest Surrey, England, around 17 mi (27 km) west of central London. It is in the Borough of Spelthorne, at the confluence of the River Thames and Colne. Historically part of Middlesex, the town was transferred to Surrey in 1965. Staines is close to Heathrow Airport and is linked to the national motorway network by the M25 and M3.
The earliest evidence of human activity in the area is from the Paleolithic and, during the Neolithic, there was a causewayed enclosure on Staines Moor. The first bridge across the Thames at Staines is thought to have been built by the Romans and there was a settlement in the area around the modern High Street by the end of the 1st century CE. Throughout the middle ages, Staines was primarily an agricultural settlement and was held by Westminster Abbey. The first surviving record of a market is from 1218, but one may have taken place near St Mary’s Church in the Anglo-Saxon period.
The industrialisation of Staines began in the mid-17th century when Thomas Ashby established a brewery in the town. Improvements to the local transport network in the mid-19th century also stimulated an expansion of the local population. The current Staines Bridge, designed by George Rennie, was opened in 1832 by William IV and the first railway line through Staines opened in 1848. The town became a centre for linoleum manufacture in 1864, when Frederick Walton established a factory on the site of the 13th-century Hale Mill.
At the end of the 20th century, Staines became infamous as the home town of the fictional film and television character, Ali G. Although many local residents felt that the town’s reputation was suffering through its association with the character, Sacha Baron Cohen, the creator of Ali G, praised Staines for being a “lovely, leafy, middle-class suburb… where swans swim under the beautiful bridge”. Partly in response to the reaction to the character, Spelthorne Borough Council voted in 2011 to add the suffix “upon-Thames” to the name.
Top rated driving schools within 5 miles of Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey
| Business Name | Rating | Categories | Phone Number | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Carcaptain |
Driving Schools | +442070991232 | Queens Lodge, 4 Old Park Lane, Mayfair W1K 1QW, United Kingdom | |
A3 Driving School |
Driving Schools | +442036331933 | Surbiton KT5, United Kingdom | |
Surrey Driving Force |
Educational Services, Driving Schools | +448451902012 | 101 Spring Rise, Egham TW20 9PR, United Kingdom | |
West London Automatic Driving |
Driving Schools | +447708124404 | 50 Lavington Rd, London W13 9LS, United Kingdom | |
Drift Limits |
Driving Schools, Race Tracks | +441442601301 | Runways Farm, Upper Bourne End Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RR, United Kingdom |
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Common questions asked by learner drivers in Staines-upon-Thames
Q: How much is a 2 hour driving lesson in UK?
A: 2 hour driving lesson in the UK typically costs around £40.
Q: How much is the driving theory test in UK?
A: The driving theory test in the UK typically costs around £23.
Q: Can you learn to drive in a week?
A: It is possible to learn to drive in a week, but it is not recommended. It is better to take your time and learn at a pace that suits you.
Q: How many lessons do you need to pass the driving test?
A: There is no set number of lessons you need to pass the driving test, as everyone learns at a different pace. However, it is typically recommended that you have at least 20 hours of professional driving lessons, plus additional private practice, before taking your test.
Q: How long is a driving test?
A: The driving test in the UK lasts around 40 minutes.
Q: How many lessons does a first time driver need?
A: A first time driver typically needs around 30 hours of professional driving lessons, plus additional private practice, before taking their driving test.
Q: What happens if a learner driver is caught alone in the UK?
A: If a learner driver is caught driving alone in the UK, they will face a fine of up to £1,000 and their driving licence will be revoked.
Q: Is UK driving licence hard to get?
A: The driving licence process in the UK is not particularly difficult, but it is important to make sure you are well prepared before taking your test.