Gilham

Gilham is a small civil parish and hamlet situated in the East of England, within the county of Hertfordshire. The settlement lies approximately eight miles north of the county town of Hertford and is positioned on the northern edge of the Chiltern Hills, an area noted for its chalk grasslands and ancient oak woodlands.

The name Gilham is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Gilhams," indicating a Saxon origin likely meaning “the hill of Gil.” The hamlet developed around a medieval manor house that was recorded in the 13th century, although the manor itself has since fallen into ruin. In the 19th century, the population of Gilham remained small, with census records showing fewer than fifty residents in 1851. Over the 20th century, the area retained its rural character, with limited agricultural activity and a modest number of residential houses.

Today, Gilham is governed as part of the larger jurisdiction of the North Hertfordshire District Council. The hamlet contains a few listed buildings, including a Grade II farmhouse dating from the early 18th century and a 19th‑century stone cottage. Despite its size, Gilham is often cited as an example of the preserved rural settlements that illustrate the historical development of the English countryside. The surrounding Chiltern Hills provide opportunities for walking and wildlife observation, and the area remains largely undeveloped, preserving the character of the hamlet for future generations.