Did you know that...
The name Ham derives from the Old English word “hamme” which means “location in the bend of a river”. Archaeological finds show that the area was inhabited since the Palaeolithic age, roughly three million years ago. Mesolithic flints were found at Dann’s Pond and Pen Ponds within the nearby Richmond Park. This West London area also has Neolithic barrows. The barrows are not yet explored. Romano British pottery from the Iron Age was also found here. The first Saxon house found in Greater London was unearthed in Ham in 1950. The pit-house together with pottery from the 5th century shows that this was one of the early Saxon settlements.
The historic area of Ham was large. However, the Domesday Book does not record the area under this name. Ham is part of the hundred of Kingston. The first mention of this area comes from the 12th century. Hamma, as it was called back then, was part of the royal demesne in association with Kingston. The area started to develop in the 17th century. Ham House is a 1610 construction. It is considered one of the best preserved buildings in Europe in regard to the “17th-century fashion and power”. It was built by Sir Thomas Vavasour for the son of King James I. Until the late Victorian age, the area was called Ham cum Hatch or Ham with Hatch.
Ham Common is the second largest common in the borough of Kingston upon Thames. It is a local nature reserve. Notable buildings include Latchmere House, Grade II listed St Andrew’s Church, Cassel Hospital, and The Malt House. Cartoonist George Gale is one of the famous people who lived in Ham. Tony Lit the manager of Sunrise Radio lives in the area. Musician Mitch Benn also lives in this TW10 area. The area served as a filming location for The Boy in the Dress and Now You See Me 2 movies.
