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Hersham is part of the county of Surrey. This KT12 area is within the London Orbital Motorway, the major road that surrounds almost all of Greater London. Hersham developed as a settlement since prehistoric times. The settlement started as a piece of woodland along the River Mole. Flint artifacts from the Mesolithic era have been found in the area. A 200 B.C. defensive earthwork was found on the top of George’s Hill. The hill was an important landmark in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Burials have been found on its slopes. The name is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The first mention comes from the 12th century as Haverichesham. The name changed over time to Haverisham, Haversham, and Harsham.
A 13th-century document mentions the manor of Morehall within Hersham. Evidence suggests that Reginald and Matilda de Imworth held the manor at that time. Timber that was used to build Nonsuch Palace in the 16th century was obtained from this place. In 1540, King Henry VIII bought this manor. The Holy Trinity church was the first chapel of ease in Hersham. It was an 1839 construction built in Anglo-Saxon style using yellow brick. It was demolished in 1889. This South West London village became an ecclesiastical parish in 1851. The church of St. Peter in Hersham dates from 1887. It is built in 13th-century style.
There are two golf courses within the bounds of Hersham. Julie Andrews, a famous English actress, has spent her early days in the area. Other notable residents include 17th-century astrologer William Lilly, Tom Jones’s manager Gordon Mills, singer Lauren Rammell of the Four of Diamonds girl group, 19th-century inventor Frederick Wicks, and “father of the Royal Air Force” Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard. The Three Rivers Academy is a secondary school in Hersham. It was established in 1954 as Rydens School and changed the name in 2017. Notable alumni include wildlife artist Chris Rose, Olympic sprint canoer Rebeka Simon, and former professional footballer Andy Sayer.
