The History of Ham & Ham Common

Ham’s existence was first recorded around 1150 and the name derives from the Old English hamm, which meant ‘land in a river bend’. Henry V acquired the manor of Hamme Upkyngeston in 1415, bringing the village into a closer relationship with the royal estate at Richmond upon Thames.

Ham Common is a conservation area, and managed by, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It comprises 120 acres, the second largest area of common land in the borough. It is divided into two distinct habitats, grassland and woodland, separated by the Upper Ham Road.

When Richmond Park was enclosed by Charles I in 1637, Ham parish lost almost half of its common land. In return for this, a deed was struck which has effectively protected the land we today know as Ham Common. Ham has been an agricultural community for centuries, with meadow and pasture land mostly along the river, and common grazing.

By 1933 cows were still grazing on the common. But the following year this had to be stopped as they were becoming a danger to traffic.

By the beginning of the 20th Century the farms of Ham had converted to market gardening. It was around this time that the Dysarts began to sell their land for development and villas were built for the upper middle classes.

Ham Common today is an area of ecological, historical interest, designated as a local Nature Reserve. Parts of Church Road, Ham Common are closed to traffic in spring to protect migrating toads to cross safely.

The common continues to be a popular local recreational amenity. Since 1984, the local Ham Amenities Group have organised an annual village fair, in aid of local charities. Other ad-hoc recreational events also use the common on high days and holidays. The former meadow land along the Thames near Ham House became the location of a King Georges Field in the 1930s. Covering 10 acres it provides cricket, football and tennis facilities including Ham and Petersham lawn tennis club.

The Albion Cricket club began playing on the common in 1815, becoming known as the Ham and Petersham Cricket club in 1891 and they still play regularly during the season.

Ham is home to all manner of Equestrian pursuits and a bridleway crosses the common, linking Richmond Park to the river via the avenue to Ham House. Ham Polo Club was founded in 1926, is now the only place in Greater London where the game is played.

The Ham and Petersham Rifle and Pistol Club, dating from 1907 or perhaps earlier, is near Ham House, with both indoor and outdoor ranges and caters for archery, pistol and rifle shooting. It was used by the ministry of defence to train young soldiers that were going to the front in the WWI.

Please contact N&N RICHMOND to see the beautiful properties we have for sale on and around Ham Common.

T: 07745 639463

E: hello@nnrichmond.co.uk