A holy man. That’s what the villagers say. They say he lived here in Upper Halliford centuries ago. He performed miracles near a ford crossing the Ash River. This is Upper Halliford. A small village in Surrey England. It’s about fifteen miles west of London.
Upper Halliford sits nestled within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Its neighbours are Shepperton Charlton and Walton-on-Thames. The village is part of the ecclesiastical parish of Sunbury-on-Thames. Its heart revolves around Upper Halliford Green. This is a conservation area. Many buildings here predate 1900.
The name itself is intriguing. ‘Halliford’ likely comes from the Old English for ‘holy ford’. This refers to the ford where the holy man lived. However there’s some debate. Some believe the ‘holy’ aspect relates to the importance of the ford for sheep crossing to Shepperton’s common land.
The A244 road partially bypasses Upper Halliford. It’s a mix of dual and single carriageways. The village also boasts its own railway station. It’s on the Shepperton branch line. Trains run regularly to London Waterloo.
Upper Halliford has a rich history. A windmill stood here in the 14th century. Later a windmill was built in Lower Halliford. Gaston Bridge over the Ash River has existed since at least the 15th century. It was rebuilt around 1750. The same time as Walton Bridge.
Until the 18th century Upper Halliford was mainly cottages and farmhouses. Several houses around the green date from the early 19th century. Halliford Manor and Home Farm Cottage are even older. Halliford Manor’s clock is dated 1744.
In 1848 the population including Charlton was 1828. The post town became Shepperton. In 1894 Sunbury-on-Thames became an urban district. This included Upper Halliford and Charlton. A railway halt opened in 1944. It served factories during World War II.
Today Upper Halliford offers various amenities. There’s a large garden centre. It includes a rose nursery restaurant and café. A pub called The Goat is a central landmark. It predates 1800. A shopping parade provides local services. St Andrew’s Baptist Church stands opposite the green.
Halliford Park features a recreation ground. There’s also a landscaped area of bungalows. The village has good transport links. The M3 motorway is nearby. Bus routes connect to Heathrow Airport. Footpaths link to nearby schools.
So here we stand. In Upper Halliford. A village with a history as rich as its soil. A place where the past and present intertwine. A place where a holy man’s legend lives on. A place I hope you will remember.