Explore a Lost Village Erased by King Henry VIII Near West London

London has great walking routes. Some lead to an old village. A king destroyed the village long ago. Cuddington sat between Ewell and Cheam. It was a peaceful Anglo-Saxon village in Surrey.

King Henry VIII wanted a grand palace in 1538. He wanted it grander than France’s king’s palace. He chose Cuddington for his project. Soon, the village vanished. People think it dated to the 8th century. They erased its name. The palace became “Nonsuch.” It meant nothing could match it.

Henry died in 1547. He never saw Nonsuch Palace finished. People called it a fine building then, but it had a strange end later.

Charles II gave the palace to Barbara in 1660. She was the Countess of Castlemaine. She sold the palace’s materials in 1682 because she needed money for gambling debts. You can still see village and palace pieces.

The walk starts at Hampton Court Palace. Stroll through Hampton Court Park first. The trail has lots of history next. It leads you to where Cuddington stood. Many trails exist in the park, so leave at the northeast corner for this walk.

Leaving the park puts you in Kingston Upon Thames. It’s the first Royal borough. Kings had crowns here in the tenth century. Near the Guildhall sits the Coronation Stone. Kings may have used that stone for coronations.

All Saints Church is also there. They built it in 1120. It’s between the Market Place and shops. Stroll down Surbiton Hill Road from Kingston’s center. Enjoy houses, some Victorian and Georgian, and reach Hogsmill Open Park next. The Hogsmill River runs through it and Old Malden.

Old Malden is full of history. St John the Baptist Church is there by the river. It’s from Saxon times. Manor House sits beside the church. It is noted in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Walk down Malden Road from Old Malden. You reach Worcester Park; more churches await. King Henry VIII destroyed St Mary’s Church in 1538. He needed space for his palace. They rebuilt it in 1866. It stands now.

Walk 30 minutes down Malden Road more to see Nonsuch Park. This land was Cuddington village. The park has great gardens and also features Nonsuch Mansion. It looks like Henry’s Nonsuch Palace.

The park has flowers, birds, and bugs. Relax at the Nonsuch Pantry Cafe and get some drinks and food after walking.