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This highly attractive residential area, a virtual sanctuary, is situated
between Kingston upon Thames, New Malden and Kinston 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 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 one of her favourites, Sir Thomas Vincent.
Sir Thomas 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 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 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.
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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, excellent air
quality and close proximity to London meant that many of the leading members
of high society had 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 situation, 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.
Caring Coombe
Today the quality residential development and renovation work is proof of a
welcome 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.
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