Saturday 6th June 2026 – 12 noon to 5 pm
Organised by Laleham Residents Association
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that places and sites marked as NOT OPEN are included in the Heritage Trail for their historical, cultural or architectural significance, they are mostly private homes and must only be viewed from the pavement. Purchasing a ticket does not grant permission to intrude of occupants’ privacy. Visitors enter gardens at their own risk.
** Open / Not Open status is subject to change at short notice.
Here is some additional information about each of the Open Gardens and Heritage Sites along today’s Trail:
Open Today:
A. Heritage Centre, The Broadway – Open Garden Day Tickets, Heritage Display Outside, Toilet
The Heritage Centre celebrates the history of Laleham through photographs, maps, documents and local displays relating to the village and surrounding area. Staffed by volunteers, it opens regularly on the first Saturday of the month, to visitors and researchers. The building, shared with All Saints’ Church Parish Office. was originally converted from a council owned property in 1996, and was refurbished 2017, funded by the Parochial Church Council.
B. Laleham Allotment Gardens, The Broadway ** NOT OPEN TODAY
Established in 1918 on The Broadway beside the Village Hall Car Park, Laleham Allotments have been part of village life for over a century. The site continues Laleham’s long tradition of gardening and local food growing, providing an important and well-used community space for generations of residents.
C. Lucan Pavilion & Laleham Recreation Ground **NOT OPEN TODAY DUE TO PRIVATE FUNCTION
Laleham Recreation Ground was established in 1920 and formally gifted to the village by the Fifth Earl of Lucan in 1923. The Lucan Pavilion, opened in 2000, continues to support local sport and community events.
D. All Saints’ Church & Churchyard – Open 12 noon to 4pm for tea & cakes, self-guided tours of Church & Churchyard (Historic Graves & Memorials)
Laleham’s oldest historic building, the Church has stood at the heart of the village since at least the 12th Century. The building has surviving Norman pillars, medieval graffiti and a pre-Reformation altar slab, while later additions include the Tudor brickwork, the Lucan Chapel and the brick tower built in the 1730s. The churchyard reflects Laleham’s rich literary, military and local history. Among the most notable memorials are the grave of the poet Matthew Arnold (b. Laleham 1822 – 1888) and the Lucan Memorial (The Bingham Family – Earls of Lucan), burial place of the Earls of Lucan, including the 3rd Earl associated with the Charge of the Light Brigade, alongside Commonwealth war graves from both World Wars.
E. Garden Open Perrys Cottage, Blacksmiths Lane (M. Duncan)
Situated next door to the Old Forge & Forge Cottage, Perrys Cottage was originally two separate dwellings that served as under-gardeners’ cottages for the High Elms Estate; one was occupied by the Verger of All Saints Church. This building reflects the close-knit working community that developed around the church, estate buildings and riverside trades of historic Laleham.
F. Garden Open 9 Ferry Lane (E. Wood Dow) – Tea & scones: donation to Manna Foodbank
Situated on Ferry Lane which follows one of Laleham’s oldest riverside routes leading to the former ferry crossing over the Thames, reflecting the village’s long connection with river travel and trade.
G. Garden Open The Barn, 216 Thameside (M. Calvert)
The Barn was designed in 1909 by renowned architect Sir Edward Maufe for musical comedy star Marie Studholme. Its name comes from one of her popular songs, The Little Dutch Barn.
H. Garden Open Elm Lawn, Thameside (D. O’Malley) – Access from riverbank – Cactus collection & Classic cars
Displaying 100+ cactus, succulents & sub-tropical plants, and three classic Alvis cars. Elm Lawn, built in 1936, stands amongst other distinctive riverside homes that became increasingly popular as boating and riverside leisure activities grew along Thameside during the 20th Century.
I. Garden Open Red Cottage, The Broadway (G. Want)
Red Cottage is an attractive early 18th Century house that once formed part of “The Generous Britain” inn. It retains many Georgian features and contributes greatly to the character of The Broadway.
J. Front Garden Open 83 Ashford Road (K. Rieveley) – Soft drinks, light snacks
Ashford Road has an eclectic mixture historic cottages and later village homes along one of Laleham’s oldest routes. The gardens in this area continue the village’s long tradition of horticulture and open garden displays.
K. Laleham Pond Nature Reserve – Open from 12 noon to 4pm
Laleham Pond was recreated in the 1990s after the original village pond had disappeared for many years. Today it serves as a peaceful wildlife habitat and nature reserve.
L. Garden Open Fairlawns, 173 Ashford Road (Y. Mamoojee) – Unique features, light refreshments for charitable donation
Fairlawns, on Ashford Road, reflects the gradual transformation of Laleham from a rural village into the thriving riverside community it is today. Its extensive mature gardens contain a wealth of unique and fascinating features. A short walk along Ashford Road is richly rewarded with the opportunity to explore this special garden and enjoy light refreshments, available for a small donation to charity.
Heritage Sites – Not Open – View from pavement:
1. Church Farm, The Broadway – Situated next to All Saints’ Churchyard
An early 17th Century brick farmhouse with later Georgian alterations and is a fine example of a traditional central chimney house. It once housed the bailiff for the Lucan estate and was sold by the family in 1966.
2. All Saints’ Church Tower
A brick-built tower, constructed around 1730 – 1732, which replaced a former wooden tower. Featuring a clock added in 1842, it stands at the west end of All Saints’ showcasing 18th Century architecture and extensive 19th Century buttressing.
3. The War Memorial – Opposite Church at the junction of Shepperton Road and Blacksmiths Lane
Laleham War memorial commemorates villagers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The WW2 memorial extension was unveiled in 1954. It remains an important place of remembrance and community reflection.
4. High Elms and Yew Corner, The Broadway – Opposite Church
High Elms is a fine Regency villa dating from around 1820 and once stood at the centre of a large estate stretching to Beech Tree Lane. Yew Corner originally formed part of the same property before the estate was divided in 1929.
5. Plane Tree, Blacksmith’s Lane – Next to High Elms
Plane Tree is a private residence, which once housed estate stables and laundry belonging to the nearby High Elms estate.
6. The Old Forge and Forge Cottage, Blacksmith’s Lane – Next to Perrys Cottage
These buildings formed the centre of Laleham’s blacksmithing trade for over 400 years, from 1542 until 1955 and was operated by generations of the Burchett family. The forge played an essential role in village life, supporting local farming, transport and trade through the shoeing of horses and the making and repair of tools and ironwork.
7. Village Shops – Along both sides Shepperton Road
Primarily concentrated around Laleham’s historic centre, these include a village general store / post office, a veterinary clinic, a barber and a hair salon. Nearby buildings once included a bakery, post office and stables serving the village community.
8. Garage – Thorobred Cars, Shepperton Road – Next to Church lychgate
Established in 1975 it is located in a building that previously housed a 1920s garage, it has significant local historical roots as the site was previously a bakery, Post Office, and stables for a horse and cab service.
9. Dial House, Shepperton Road
An elegant three-storey Queen Anne house distinguished by its 1730 sundial, visible on the side of the house from pavement. Inside are fine panelled rooms and many original Georgian features.
10. Three Horseshoes Public House, Shepperton Road
Laleham’s oldest pub, with records showing an inn on this site as early as 1624. It became part of the Manor of Laleham during the 18th Century.
12. The Thatched Cottage, Abbey Drive
A unique dwelling, originally built around 1807 as the Lucan Estate Lodge; it is a picturesque example of a “Cottage Orné”. The thatched roof, decorative bargeboards and rustic veranda make it one of Laleham’s most distinctive houses.
13. The Coverts, Abbey Drive
A handsome early 18th Century house with elegant brickwork and a parapet roofline. The original kitchens still survive beneath the house in the basement.
14. Muncaster House, Ferry Lane – At the corner of Moorhayes Drive
This early 18th Century building, formerly known as Moorhayes House, became famous as one of England’s first preparatory schools; founded by the Rev. John Buckland and the Rev. Thomas Arnold.
15. Harris Boatyard – Can be seen across the river from Blacksmiths Lane
Established around 1890 and operated as both a boatyard and ferry point, originally transporting willow across the river for the furniture trade in Staines. It later became well known for boat building, skiff and punt hire, and the annual Laleham Regatta, while its historic boatshed remained a local landmark until its demolition in 2022.
16. The Nursery and Orchard Wall, Shepperton Road – Beside Laleham Park
The old orchard wall contains a row of fireplaces once lit to help ripen fruit during cooler weather. These surviving features reflect Laleham’s long horticultural history.
17. Turk’s Head Public House, The Broadway – Opp. Entrance to Laleham Recreation Ground
One of Laleham’s best-known pubs and dates from around 1867. Its name recalls historic “Turk’s Head” inns associated with the Crusades and returning soldiers.
18. Glebe House, The Broadway
Originally built in 1865 as the village vicarage.
19. Laleham Church of England Primary School, The Broadway
Opened in 1865 on land gifted by the Third Earl of Lucan. The original Victorian school buildings at the front and cottages next door remain an important part of the village streetscape.
20. School Cottages, The Broadway – Next to School
Built beside Laleham CofE Primary School in 1873, shortly after the school opened on land gifted by the Third Earl of Lucan, are notable for their pointed gables, decorative brickwork and Lucan coat of arms. They were originally intended as homes for school staff and remain an important part of Laleham’s historic village character.
21. Laleham Village Hall, The Broadway – Opposite School Cottages
Built on land donated by the Fourth Earl of Lucan, the foundation stone was laid by Lady Lucan in 1908. It has long served as a centre for community groups, special events and performances.
22. The Limes, The Broadway – Opposite Red Cottage
An early 18th Century farmhouse with an old, tiled roof, stuccoed front and yellow field-brick rear walls.
24. Cambridge Cottage, The Broadway – Next to Red Cottage
Along with its’ neighbouring property Red Cottage, these are a fine pair of early 18th Century brick houses with later porch additions. Both retain many Georgian features, including quarry tiled floors, panelling, shutters and winding staircases, while Red Cottage has deeds dating from 1726 and Cambridge Cottage was once the inn known as The Generous Britain; both properties also feature large walled gardens to the rear.
Jo Bartlett
June 2026