Feltham is thought to have a history going back about 1000 years and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The name is given as Felteha and according to most experts means a Field Home or Home in the Fields. In 1634 the village burnt down in a disastrous fire which also appears to have destroyed any records before that time. The village grew up around the Parish Church of Saint Dunstan (who at one time was Archbishop of Canterbury) and it is thought that the church was dedicated to the Saint at the end of his lifetime in 988. The Church has a list of priests going back to 1322 and in 2002 celebrated the bi-centenary of the re-building of the present church.

For many years Feltham was an agricultural area, save for two gun powder mills located in North Feltham and Hanworth. When the railway came in 1884 it opened up the district to city gentry, who enjoyed working “in town” and living in the leafy countryside. Many large houses were built to accommodate these families. In the late 19th century and early 20th century the farming family of Smith bought and leased most of the Feltham farms and A.W. Smith developed many vegetable species with the Feltham pre-fix in the name, the best known example being the Feltham Pea.

After the First World War the town grew and became industrialised, possessing the second largest railway marshaling yard in the country and assembly and flying of early aircraft taking place. The famous Feltham Tram was developed and items such as Minimax Fire Extinguishers were manufactured and exported world wide. An R.A.O.C Army depot grew up between the wars and during the Second World War Feltham became a garrison town.

In the latter half of the twentieth century Feltham declined and lost much of its charm, especially when tower blocks were built behind the 'Centre'. Even St. Catherines Church failed to escape the madcap sixties planners. All that remains is the Spire, (the 'Feltham Folly'). The Church below is now the offices of the Borough Council.

Into the twenty first century, however, and the outlook for Feltham is much improved. The Regeneration Project is well underway and by its completion will transform the High Street and the 'Centre'. New shops, including Asda and Argos will bring in much needed business and attract new customers to the area. The Luxury flats above the 'wind tunnel' in the centre have already been sold, one, according to the local paper, to an Airline Pilot for use between flights.

Hanworth's main claims to fame are the Tudors and flying. Henry VIII enjoyed hunting and had a hunting box built at Hanworth where he could rest/change horses and have refreshment when he took to the heathland that once surrounded the village. It is not certain how Henry came to hold Hanworth, but like other places, perhaps he just took it.

Just before his death Henry made the property over to his last Queen, Catherine Parr, and when he died she came to live at Hanworth. Later she married Lord Seymour of Sudley and they took charge of the young Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth the 1st.

Elizabeth spent some time at the Manor House, which was sometimes known as Hanworth Palace, and it was here that Seymour acted in an improper manner towards the Princess and was committed to the Tower of London and later executed. Queen Elizabeth returned to visit Hanworth later in her reign, as it was said she that she enjoyed the area.

A later Lord of the Manor was Lord Cottington who held Hanworth and Feltham and Kennington in London. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer and a great favourite of Charles I. During the Civic War he fled to Spain where he died. At the restoration of the Monarchy Charles II had his body brought back and he was buried in Westminster Abbey.

During the first world war, the Whitehead Aircraft Company built hangers on the Feltham side of Hanworth Park to assemble and fly their bi-planes. After the war the company did not survive. In the early 1930’s the park became an airfield once again and had a visit from the Graf Zeppelin, the German airship.With the arrival of The General Aircraft Company from Croydon in the 1930’s and the formation of the London Flying Club it became known as London Airpark.

When London Airport (now Heathrow) was established in the 1950’s all flying ceased from the Airpark and it is now a local open space.