Description
Ham Common is adjacent to Richmond Park beyond Ham Gate. In 1635 the local inhabitants were granted certain rights on the common by Charles I in return for the 483 acres he took when creating his New Park, later called Richmond Park. There are a number of fine C18th houses overlooking the common, particularly the western open area, such as Cassel House, now a hospital and St Michael's Convent, formerly Orford Hall. The South Avenue that leads from the riverside Ham House extends onto Ham Common. Ham Pond is the focal point here, where horses were watered in the past. East of the main road Ham Common Woods are thickly planted, and have paths and horse tracks crossing it.
Practical Information
| Site location | Church Road/Ham Gate Avenue/Upper Ham Road, Richmond |
|---|---|
| Postcode | TW10 5LA |
| What3Words | ///dots.issue.beard |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Cricket pitch; Nature trail in woods |
| Events | Summer Fair and other events |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (District): Richmond then bus. Bus: 65. |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The deed of King Charles I in 1635 called together the people of the surrounding manors not to farm or make a profit from the waste-land. The open area to the west of Upper Ham Road consists of open grass crossed by paths and has perimeter trees, with willows around Ham Pond. It is now the site for the annual Ham Fair and is used for other recreational purposes, such as cricket. Ham Common was designated as a Nature Reserve in 2001. A stone obelisk is on the junction of Ham Gate Avenue and Upper Ham Road.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ185718 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 48.69 |
| Site Ownership | LB Richmond |
| Site Management | Environment Planning & Review, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1635 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL64) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Richmond |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Ham Common |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Metropolitan (part)/ Local (pond) |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | NC: Metro Imp area west of Upper Ham Rd as part of Richmond Park & associated areas |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
St Andrew's Church was built in 1830/1, a grey brick building with two turrets, and was later enlarged with a south aisle with rose window in 1860. In 1900-01 a red-brick chancel was added, designed by Bodley and Garner. The entrance to the churchyard is through a lych-gate leading to shrub beds around the steps leading to the church door. Within the churchyard are a number of good chest tombs and a War Memorial within railings on 3 sides with a gate onto Ham Common. The churchyard is partly bounded by hedge, with railings to Church Road.
The largest of Eric Lyons' schemes for Span Developments Ltd, Parkleys consists of 169 flats and 6 shops in two and three storey blocks on the main road. Behind this 'protective barrier' two storey terraces are grouped around enclosures, with vistas of the landscaping around and beyond. The landscaping of trees, grass and shrubs emphasise colour, contrast, texture and contour with areas of paving, lawns and planting on rectangular designs. The spirit of the original design is still evident. Prior to housing development the land had been a nursery and a number of existing trees were retained and incorporated into the landscaping.
The Cassel Hospital faces onto the western boundary of Ham Common, near Ham Pond. In 1863 the mid C18th house that still remains as part of the hospital was purchased on his marriage by the Duc de Chartres, exiled prince of Orleans family, and trees that remain on lawns are likely to date from that time. In c.1880 it became West Heath School, and later Lawrence Hall Hotel. In 1947 it was purchased by the Cassel Foundation, whose Cassel Hospital for Functional Nervous Disorders had opened in 1921 in Penshurst Kent. It became part of the NHS and is now West London Mental Health Trust, although its future is uncertain. The grounds comprise lawns with mature trees including oak, sweet chestnut, weeping ash, Scots pine, cedar, and one ancient pollarded oak predating the house. Woodland surrounding the lawn is densest on the north west; an old walled garden is beyond narrow woodland to the south west, with an apple orchard at the rear.