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The name Hook may derive from the 12th-century mill owner John Hog who was also known as John del Hoc. This South West London area was also known as Grappellingham and Grapsome. The name may also refer to a hook-shaped piece of land. The settlement developed around the intersection of Hook Road and Mansfield Road. The buildings in this area are some of the first cottages built here. The area had only a few scattered farms until the 18th century. However, Hook started to develop its infrastructure to serve travelers. In 1883, the railway was constructed and the village finally started to grow.
RAF Chessington was a Royal Air Force barrage balloon depot dating from 1938. It was also used as a hospital. The building was eventually demolished. In the 1990s, the site was redeveloped for housing. Two of three listed houses in the Chessington post town are in Hook. One of them is a 17th-century building and the other one is from the 19th century. Some of the 18th-century and 19th-century buildings have been destroyed by The Blitz during World War II. Others were redeveloped for housing. The area hosts a lot of annual events. In May, for example, you can visit Hook’s Beer Festival. The third Sunday in May attracts over a thousand runners for the Hook Fun Run and Road Race.
Notable Hook residents include aviation pioneer Harry Hawker and BBC broadcaster David Grossman. Hawker was a record-breaking pilot. He lived on Hook Road. Hawker is buried in the churchyard of St Paul’s. This church was established in 1838. The Grossmans were reputed party hosts. Enid Blyton is another well-known resident. She was a children’s author and she worked as a nursery governess in the area. This KT9 area does not have a railway station. The residents use the nearby station at Chessington.