Ham has grown in clearly defined stages over the years. This has produced areas of markedly different architecture from the old cottage in and around Ham Street to the family houses in the Wates Estates. Two features that have generally been maintained in each expansion are the public spaces and the alleyways that keep the area connected.
The notable exception to these rules is the enclave created by Lauderdale Drive and Arlington Road. And it is because these roads do not go anywhere and there is nothing worth seeing there that I rarely use these roads. I do venture down them from time to time just in case something interesting has appeared but their lack of appearance in this blog over seven years shows just how fruitless those journeys have been.
The last time I was there I was determined to take at least one photo, if nothing else, to prove that this I do go there and the best that I could come up with was this lion.
It will be a long while before I go back again.
Lauderdale Drive has a pillar box for posting mail. Although the street is very near to Ham House, members of my husband's family (living in the street since it was built) have always had Petersham as part of the postal address, but not Ham. We (family surname is Neville) and I know of three houses in Lauderdale Drive and one in Arlington Road where they have lived.
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