This small village in Sutton has seen royalty come and go, witnessed the rise and fall of one of England’s grandest palaces, and continues to hold on to its distinctive identity.
The village was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086.
At the time, the surrounding woodland was valued at 25 hogs, showing that even then, the area was considered important.
In the centuries that followed, Cheam became known for its potteries, and later, for brewing.
These early industries helped shape the village into a thriving rural community.
A turning point came in the 1530s, when King Henry VIII chose the area as the site for his most ambitious building project.
Nonsuch Palace was designed to be the most magnificent in the country. Richly decorated and built to impress foreign rulers, the palace reflected Henry’s wealth and power.
He planned to use it as a base for hunting, and the surrounding parkland was carefully laid out for this purpose.
Henry died before the palace was completed, although it remained in royal use for some time afterwards.
During the reign of Charles II, the estate was given to his mistress, Lady Castlemaine.
Facing large gambling debts, she had the palace demolished in 1682 and sold off the materials to raise money.
Today, all that remains are parts of the original garden walls.
The site is now part of Nonsuch Park, where visitors can still get a sense of the scale and beauty that once defined the area.
Cheam returned to quiet village life until the early 20th century, when suburban growth transformed it once again.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the arrival of new housing, rail links and schools turned the area into a model of suburban living.
The architecture from this period blends surprisingly well with older buildings, creating a village centre that feels both historic and lived-in.
One of Cheam’s most treasured buildings is Whitehall, a Tudor house dating back to around 1500.
Once believed to be a farmhouse, Whitehall now operates as a museum and tea room.
Inside, visitors can see original timber framing, medieval pottery displays and even a 15th-century well in the garden.
The house was restored using traditional techniques and remains a striking example of Cheam’s long history.
Not far from Whitehall is Park Lane, where rows of simple but attractive cottages were built in the 1820s for workers on the Cheam House estate.
These homes were once modest housing but are now among the most desirable properties in the area.
Their white-painted weatherboard fronts give them a distinctive charm that fits well with the village feel.
Cheam is also home to St Dunstan’s Church. The current building dates from 1864, although the site has been a place of worship since Saxon times.
St Dunstan’s Church (Image: Amy Clarke)
In the churchyard stands the Lumley Chapel, the oldest surviving building in the area.
Each year in May, Cheam hosts the Charter Fair, one of the oldest events of its kind in the country.
The fair is believed to have started in 1259 when King Henry III granted the village a charter to hold a market.
Although the original document has never been found, the tradition continues to this day.
The fair is opened with a civic service at St Dunstan’s and includes a parade, stalls and entertainment.
Cheam has also found a place in British television history. It was the fictional home of Tony Hancock in the classic sitcom Hancock’s Half Hour, where he lived at Railway Cuttings in East Cheam.
The village has featured in other TV series over the years, including The Bill and Terry and June.
Cheam Park is one of the area’s most popular green spaces, offering wide fields, sports facilities, and a café.
It connects directly to Nonsuch Park, which offers longer walks through ancient woodland and open meadows.
At its centre stands Nonsuch Mansion, a grand 19th-century house now used for weddings and community events.
The grounds are open to the public and remain a favourite spot for dog walkers, families and anyone looking for a peaceful escape.
Local pubs also add to the village character. Ye Olde Red Lion has stood on its site for over 400 years and is thought to be the oldest pub in the borough.
It retains many original features, including a low-beamed ceiling and a well at the front that was still in use during the 1930s.
Cheam’s location means it is just half an hour from central London by train, but it feels far removed from the pace of the city.
People tend to stay for a long time, and many residents speak of the strong sense of community and neighbourliness.
The village continues to evolve, while still holding on to its past.
