Description
There has been a church at Hampton since 1342, and St Mary the Virgin has strong associations with the monarchy due to the proximity of Hampton Court Palace. By 1821 the growing parish population necessitated a larger building, and eventually it was agreed to rebuild rather than enlarge the existing building, which was demolished in 1830. The new church was consecrated on 1 September 1831, attended by Queen Adelaide and other members of the royal family. The churchyard was partially closed in 1883. It was renovated in 1972 when most of the headstones were taken away retaining some of the more interesting ones..
Within the churchyard is the Garden of Remembrance which is still in use.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Hampton Parish Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | Thames Street, Hampton |
| Postcode | TW12 2EB |
| What3Words | ///toys.look.bring |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Hampton, Hampton Wick, Hampton Court. Bus: R68, 267, 111, 216 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Manor of Hampton is recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. The medieval parish of Hampton consisted of Hampton Town and the hamlet of Hampton Wick, although it appears to have been a stormy relationship on occasion. In 1863 a new parish of St James (q.v.) was created, which was initially called New Hampton parish but later changed to Hampton Hill in 1890. There has been a church on the site at Hampton since 1342, founded by monks of Takeley Priory. St Mary's has strong associations with the monarchy due to the proximity of Hampton Court Palace, and a crown surmounts the flagstaff on the church tower. From 1544 onwards the sovereign of the day presented the Vicar of Hampton, apart from during the Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell's time.
The exact date of the old church of St Mary is not known, although the tower was rebuilt in 1679 and it was enlarged in 1726. By 1821 the growing size of the parish's population necessitated a larger building, and eventually it was agreed to rebuild rather than enlarge the existing building. Twelve plans were submitted in response to an advertisement and in 1827 that of Edward Lapidge of Hampton Wick was selected. In 1830 the old church demolished and Lapidge's new building was built, which was consecrated on 1 September 1831, attended by Queen Adelaide, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Augusta. A number of monuments from the old church were removed and re-erected within the new building, including a fine memorial to Mistress Sibel Penn (d.1562) now in the south-west porch; the monument to Mistress Suzannah Thomas (d.1731) now in the south aisle; and a memorial to the Pigeon family, one of whom, Edmund Pigeon (d.1657), was a benefactor of the parish. Edward Lapidge was also responsible for other local churches, St John the Baptist, Hampton Wick and St Andrew's, Ham (q.v.). A new chancel was added in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.
The churchyard is walled, with railings fronting onto Thames Street, from where a flight of steps leads to the church. Behind the church is a stone monument topped with a 'clumsy bare pyramid' (Pevsner) to Captain John Gregg (d.10 June 1795), a sugar planter from the Island of Dominica. It was erected by his widow, Catherine, who is also buried here. Among other fine chest-tombs is that of the Eatwell family, including Surgeon Major William Coverdale Beaty Eatwell (d.1855) who served in the Indian Army and was Principal of the Medical College in Calcutta; and Captain William Eatwell (d.1899) who was with the Indian Navy. The artist Frederick Read (d.1875) is also buried here. The churchyard was closed for burials in 1887 and Hampton Cemetery (q.v.) was opened in Holly Bush Lane. Tombs are found among the grass and there are numerous trees in the churchyard. A rectangular garden of rest is laid out in the north of the churchyard bounded by flower beds planted mainly with low shrubs, including lavender into which three rustic timber arches are set. Within this garden area are two mature yew trees, and two pairs of memorial seats.
The exact date of the old church of St Mary is not known, although the tower was rebuilt in 1679 and it was enlarged in 1726. By 1821 the growing size of the parish's population necessitated a larger building, and eventually it was agreed to rebuild rather than enlarge the existing building. Twelve plans were submitted in response to an advertisement and in 1827 that of Edward Lapidge of Hampton Wick was selected. In 1830 the old church demolished and Lapidge's new building was built, which was consecrated on 1 September 1831, attended by Queen Adelaide, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Augusta. A number of monuments from the old church were removed and re-erected within the new building, including a fine memorial to Mistress Sibel Penn (d.1562) now in the south-west porch; the monument to Mistress Suzannah Thomas (d.1731) now in the south aisle; and a memorial to the Pigeon family, one of whom, Edmund Pigeon (d.1657), was a benefactor of the parish. Edward Lapidge was also responsible for other local churches, St John the Baptist, Hampton Wick and St Andrew's, Ham (q.v.). A new chancel was added in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.
The churchyard is walled, with railings fronting onto Thames Street, from where a flight of steps leads to the church. Behind the church is a stone monument topped with a 'clumsy bare pyramid' (Pevsner) to Captain John Gregg (d.10 June 1795), a sugar planter from the Island of Dominica. It was erected by his widow, Catherine, who is also buried here. Among other fine chest-tombs is that of the Eatwell family, including Surgeon Major William Coverdale Beaty Eatwell (d.1855) who served in the Indian Army and was Principal of the Medical College in Calcutta; and Captain William Eatwell (d.1899) who was with the Indian Navy. The artist Frederick Read (d.1875) is also buried here. The churchyard was closed for burials in 1887 and Hampton Cemetery (q.v.) was opened in Holly Bush Lane. Tombs are found among the grass and there are numerous trees in the churchyard. A rectangular garden of rest is laid out in the north of the churchyard bounded by flower beds planted mainly with low shrubs, including lavender into which three rustic timber arches are set. Within this garden area are two mature yew trees, and two pairs of memorial seats.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ140696 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Church (Diocese of London) |
| Site Management | Church |
| Dates | Church: 1831 |
| Designers | Church: Edward Lapidge |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Richmond |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | CA |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Garrick's Lawn is one of a number of riverside gardens between Hampton Court Road and the Thames. Actor/manager David Garrick purchased Hampton House in 1754, later called Garrick's Villa. 'Capability' Brown advised him on the layout of the grounds including the narrow river frontage, recommending the linking grotto-like tunnel under the road. Garrick built the octagonal Shakespeare Temple on the riverside lawn, where he entertained friends. During the C19th later owners permitted the grounds to be used for recreational activities, and it survived threat of demolition in 1899. In the C20th the riverside garden became rundown until the local council purchased the land for a public recreation ground. In 1996 The Temple Trust began a scheme to restore the garden and Temple to their C18th appearance, the scheme completed by 1999. The tunnel under the road has been restored and is privately owned and the house is now private flats.
Garrick's Lawn is one of a number of riverside gardens between Hampton Court Road and the Thames. Actor/manager David Garrick purchased Hampton House in 1754, later called Garrick's Villa. 'Capability' Brown advised him on the layout of the grounds including the narrow river frontage, recommending the linking grotto-like tunnel under the road. Garrick built the octagonal Shakespeare Temple on the riverside lawn, where he entertained friends. During the C19th later owners permitted the grounds to be used for recreational activities, and it survived threat of demolition in 1899. In the C20th the riverside garden became rundown until the local council purchased the land for a public recreation ground. In 1996 The Temple Trust began a scheme to restore the garden and Temple to their C18th appearance, the scheme completed by 1999. The tunnel under the road has been restored and is privately owned and the house is now private flats.
St Albans Riverside is one of a number of riverside gardens between Hampton Court Road and the Thames, here named after the 5th Duke of St Albans who moved to Hampton in 1796 to a riverside house first called St Albans Bank, now St Alban's Lodge. In the C19th the riverside near Hampton Court became a popular tourist attraction in its own right and was important for its boat-building works. Among these was boat-builder Tom Tagg, who leased the ait now known as Taggs Island where he built the Island Hotel in 1870. The riverside gardens remain popular, and have lawns, trees, shrubberies and an area of ornamental planting around a sundial.
Carlisle Park is named after George James, 9th Earl of Carlisle, who was a keen artist. Bounded by hedging to the surrounding housing, with perimeter trees and path, the park contains some seats and shrubberies but is largely used for sports. The central area consists of a cricket / sports fields, and there is also a bowling green and tennis courts. A small mid C20th pavilion with clock tower is surrounded by flowerbeds. The main entrance on Wensleydale Road has brick stone-capped gate piers with ornamental gates, and a drive flanked by flower beds leads to a car park; flower beds also flank the path leading to the entrance on Carlisle Road.