The area can possibly be traced back to 862, with the mention of 'landan league' in a charter, however the first definite reference is found in the 13th century, when the Langley family (or de Langele) family are recorded as owning land in this area.

The initial phase (1909–1913) was laid out under the influence of the garden city movement, with individual houses in a generous sylvan landscape.

[2] Other architects who designed houses for this initial phase were Edgar Underwood, H. T. Bromley, Sothern Dexter, and Durrans & Groves.

[citation needed] The first roads to be laid out were Wickham Way, Elwill Way and Hayes Way in 1909, with Malmains Way, Whitecroft Way and Styles Way following in 1910.

Henry Wellcome purchased part of the site in 1918 in order to construct a pharmaceutical testing laboratory.