In 1972 David Bowie launched his Ziggy Stardust tour at the Toby Jug pub. This unassuming pub in Tolworth holds a significant place in rock history. Tolworth a suburban area in Kingston upon Thames has a rich and often surprising past.
From its humble beginnings as Taleorde in the Domesday Book Tolworth’s history is woven with threads of agriculture industry and surprising cultural moments. The Evelyn family established gunpowder mills here in 1561. This early industrial presence foreshadowed Tolworth’s later development.
For much of the 19th century the Earls of Egmont were the principal landowners. Their influence shaped the area’s development. However life in Tolworth wasn’t always peaceful. The Second World War brought tragedy. The Derby Day Disaster of June 1944 saw 12 lives lost to a V1 flying bomb. Tolworth also bore the brunt of the Blitz enduring numerous high explosive bomb attacks.
The development of brickfields and the opening of Tolworth Sewage Farm in 1891 marked a turning point. A proper sewerage system paved the way for significant growth. By 1908 the population was accelerating. St Matthew’s Church built to accommodate 800 people showcased this expansion. Trams connected Tolworth to nearby towns.
The opening of the A3 Kingston Bypass in 1927 was a major catalyst. Six and a half miles of new roads sprang up. Two thousand houses were built. Tolworth Broadway emerged on the site of Tolworth Lodge Farm.
The Ace of Spades roadhouse a vibrant venue opened near Hook. It boasted a restaurant seating 700-800 people a swimming pool and even an airstrip. Sadly it burnt down in the 1950s. Its legacy lives on in the name of the Ace of Spades junction.
Tolworth’s musical heritage is equally captivating. The Toby Jug pub hosted legendary bands. Led Zeppelin Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath graced its stage. The pub’s demolition in 2000 to make way for a Tesco supermarket sparked controversy. Its memory lives on in the nearby Toby Way.
Tolworth Tower a striking 22-story office block opened in 1963. It stands tall a testament to the area’s transformation. Radio Jackie a commercial radio station broadcasts from the Broadway housed in the former Crown Post Office. The Tolworth Greenway a revitalization project aims to enhance pedestrian safety along Tolworth Broadway.
Tolworth is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where history music and industry converge. It is a place shaped by remarkable events and personalities. It’s a place with a story to tell a story waiting for you to discover.