Laleham is a village on the River Thames, in the borough of Spelthorne, about 17 mi (27 km) west of central London, England.

The nearest railway station is Staines, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north, on the Waterloo to Reading Line.

The poet Matthew Arnold (1822–88) lived here, dividing his time between Laleham and Rugby School.

[2] There may have been a 1st-century Roman marching camp in the far north, in a field which is now part of Matthew Arnold School.

[2] Iron Age spearheads from the 5th century have been found in the Thames at the point where a ferry used to run.

The manor was held partly by Fécamp Abbey from Robert of Mortain and by Estrild, the nun; its owner before Norman Conquest there recorded as Aki (the Dane).

The traditional borders resemble Staines in being a long tract of land, rarely more than 1 mile (1.6 km) east–west.

[2] Eight years later he was suspected of the murder of his family nanny in Lower Belgrave Street, London and disappeared.

[15] Its private demesne (park) spanned 83 acres (34 ha), much of which is a public amenity, with riverside refreshments, playgrounds, football areas, fishing, camping and a cross-country circuit.

[16] It was for some decades let to the Catholic Church in the early 20th century, acquiring its Abbey status as a Nunnery.

The poet and critic Matthew Arnold was born in the village and is buried in All Saints' parish churchyard.

His father Dr Thomas Arnold was headmaster of Rugby School, travelled widely and settled his family in Laleham.

The proportion of households in the town who owned their home outright compares to the regional average of 35.1%.