Inventory Site Record

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.

Site location:

Church Road/Ham Gate Avenue/Upper Ham Road, Richmond

Postcode:

TW10 5LA

What 3 Words:

dots.issue.beard

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Richmond

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

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.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
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Research updated:

01/06/2009

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.richmond.gov.uk/parks_and_open_spaces

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.

Sources consulted:

Ben Weinreb & Christopher Hibbert, 'The London Encyclopaedia' (Macmillan, revised ed. 1993); John Archer, David Curson, 'Nature Conservation in Richmond upon Thames, Ecology Handbook 21', (London Ecology Unit) 1993 p44 & 85

Grid ref:

TQ185718 (518202,171786)

Size in hectares:

48.69

Site ownership:

LB Richmond

Site management:

Environment Planning & Review, Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1635

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

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 Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

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