This highly attractive residential area is a virtual sanctuary and is situated between Kingston upon Thames, New Malden and Kingston Hill.

There is evidence to indicate primitive human life in Coombe 300,000 years ago, but the first recorded mention of the area is in the Domesday Book (1086), referred to as 'Comb' and consisting of a few small tenanted farms.

In 1514, Cardinal Wolsey, who commissioned Hampton Court on the Thames, turned to the natural springs of Coombe as a water supply. The waters are said to be a restorative, and the 3 Conduit Houses built on Coombe Hill to control the water supply are now the oldest buildings in the area.

Elizabeth I, granted Coombe to Sir Thomas Vincent who built a fine brick Manor House (now Traps Lane/Coombe Lane West), and the Queen herself visited the Manor in 1602. Part of the Manor walls still exists today.

The Tudor Manor House was replaced by a Georgian Mansion, which had various different uses until it was demolished in 1933. The Mansion was a favourite of Queen Victoria's, who liked to walk in the gardens.

The Warren, today covered by large areas of Coombe Hill and Coombe Wood Golf Course, was a wild and uninhabited place for many centuries. As part of a coaching route between London and Portsmouth, the notorious handsome young villain Jerry Abershaw, known as 'The Coombe Wood Highwayman', used the woods as shelter. The Warren was also used for public fairs, hunting, hangings and was the site of a navy semaphore station.

By the latter half of the 19th century, the various tenanted farms that had cultivated the land of Coombe for almost a thousand years, began to decrease in size and fields and pastures were gradually sold for development.

The opening of the 'Coombe-with-Malden' railway station in 1846, combined with road improvements meant there began to be quick and efficient way to travel from the area to London. Consequently the demand from the wealthy middle and upper classes for building land meant the Coombe Estate became a prime location.

In 1856 James Veitch opened a world-famous horticultural nursery, on 35 acres of land leased from the Duke of Cambridge. The nursery included a Japanese Water Garden, fed by the areas many springs, which has now been restored in the grounds of a new development 'The Water Gardens'.

By the end 19th century, Coombe had become established as one of the most fashionable and desirable places to live. The fine views and close proximity to London meant that many of the leading members of high society decided to make Coombe their home. Anyone who was anyone was either a Coombe resident or listed amongst the guests.

The oldest of three local Golf Clubs was founded in 1893. Malden Golf Club was established by a group of keen golfers who were frustrated by continued disputes between players and walkers on Wimbledon Common. The club was moved in 1926 to its present location.

Prime Minister, A.J.Balfour, opened the Coombe Wood Golf Course (9 holes) in 1904. The Club prides itself on its superb location, with a course that undulates over the slopes of the hill. General Eisenhower lived in Coombe for some months in 1942 and again for part of 1944, and was a regular player at the club.

Coombe Hill Golf Club, one of London's most exclusive Clubs, with a list of high profile members, was laid out by the architect George Abercromby in 1911, and is situated at the end of a private road.

Coombe today is a prestigious residential development and renovation work is proof of respect for the history of the area. The existence of several thriving Residents' Associations is another sign that a careful watch is exercised on the quality and style of proposed new buildings, as well as ensuring that regular maintenance of the private roads and trees is carried out properly.