One of the towns which make up Spelthorne and the only part of Surrey north of the Thames, this was once part of the former county of Middlesex. At Staines one of the great coaching roads to the west country crossed the Thames, and the bridge dates from 1829. This was the limit of the Port of London, marked by an inscribed stone near the church. Sir Walter Raleigh was tried and convicted here (because of an outbreak of plague in London) in 1603.

The river was used as a means of transport, and was the reason for the development of Staines, boats can be hired at several locations and amateur regattas are held during the Summer at both Staines and Sunbury, the latter being one of the less common skiff regattas dating back to 1877.

Staines is the administrative centre of the Borough and has the largest shopping area, one of the three main shopping Centres in Surrey. Work is currently underway in Staines Town Centre which will extend the number and range of shops and associated facilities.