More than 1 mile (1.6 km) from the medieval village of Byfleet, the initial concentration of a new development soon established its own economy apart from that of a dependent London commuter village and spread in most directions to its borders including to the border of the old settlement, divided by the shielded M25 motorway today.
The history until the establishment of the parish in 1917 is that of Byfleet, which saw most of its current developed land, which was formerly fields in the east and densely wooded heath in the west turned into Victorian and Edwardian smallholdings and large houses in the Victorian and Edwardian periods (1831–1911).
Some 70 shops now trade offering a variety of goods as well as services such as hairdressing, beauty treatments, estate and employment agents.
An art gallery and vintage gift emporium have also established a West Byfleet focus.
The 1960s development comprising multi-story offices and ground floor shops and a public library which occupied a block at the centre of the village was demolished in 2020 after a long period of redevelopment planning by the local authorities and various potential builders.
Old Avenue has been designated a Conservation Area due its Arcadian environment of substantial family homes of interesting architecture and still good sized gardens.
It Is considered the most desirable location of the Parish as it is within easy walking distance of West Byfleet station and as a no through road, a safe and beautiful place to live.
The Basingstoke Canal running east–west to the north of West Byfleet offers a pleasant walking and cycling path to Woking.
Gardner, Robert (2006) 'From Bouncing Bombs to Concorde – The Authorised Biography of Aviation Pioneer Sir George Edwards, OM' (Sutton Publishing Ltd, Stroud, Gloucs.)
Stevens, Leonard, R (2001) 'A Village of England – Byfleet’ Wakeford, Iain (2004) 'West Byfleet – A Self-Guided Heritage Walk With Notes and Illustrations on the History of the Village and the Basingstoke Canal' (Iain Wakeford, Old Woking, Surrey).