The area has a long history as the ancient parish of Malden, derived from the Old English mæl duna, meaning 'the cross on the hill'.

St John the Baptist Church,[4] close to the Hogsmill, is a Grade II listed building.

The Grade II listed Manor House, next to St John's, is also mentioned in the Domesday Book; in 1264 Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester, founded a college here that was later moved to Oxford as Merton College.

In 1852 the Hogsmill River was the setting for the background of Ophelia painted by John Everett Millais.

Malden Road, joining the green and Worcester Park station, was flanked by two rows of over forty mature poplar trees until 2010, when most were felled as a safety measure due to internal rotting.

A minor tributary of the River Thames, the Hogsmill, flows through the west of Old Malden.

Berrylands New Malden Motspur Park Tolworth North Cheam, Lower Morden Ewell Stoneleigh Worcester Park Old Malden Conservation Area was created in March 1971, designating the area as being "of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".