An Esteemed History

The Grade I listed church of St Mary the Virgin holds the Kedermister Library and the fine polychrome carvings you see here.

A clue to a village past steeped in history, as are four hundred year old almshouses and the manorial Langley Hall.

Langley's full name is Langley Marish, a title commemorating Christiana de Marecis, who held the manor in the 13th century. Langley itself originates from the Middle English terms Lang (Long) and Leah (Clearing).

The village an amalgamation over time of a number of clearings, known as Greens, such as Middle Green, or George Green.

Early Prominence

Edward VI installed John Kederminster as a representative in 1547, to manage the all important royal woodlands. Kederminster and his family remained, responsible for the almshouses built in 1617 and much more. By 1639, Langley Village had ceased to be part of the parish of Wraysbury, a new parish, with their own vicar appointed.

Rural Stability

New buildings appeared at times, limited development of schooling and new methods of growing crops. In general though, Langley remained much the same for centuries. The advent of modern media, communication, larger wars and increased travel had an effect but as with much of England, less than we might imagine.

The Modern Era

Urbanism and the arrival of industry came in a burst to Langley. Hawker Siddeley opened an aircraft factory in 1938, war intervened, that factory later in the hands of Ford, for commercial vehicles. In 1954, The GLC moved inner city families to a new estate in the village, other commerce followed, the rural Langley replaced for ever.