Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Friday, 31 October 2008
Brentford Lettings Agents: Lettings in Brentford
Whether you are looking to sell or buy a property, or wishing to let or rent, we realise it is an important and personal transaction for you.
As an established Brentford Estate Agents our partners and staff have an in-depth knowledge of the Brentford property market and will offer you honest and sensible advice on residential or commercial sales, rentals and investments.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Brentford History
Brentford is often referred to as the former county town of Middlesex, mainly because throughout most of the 18th and 19th centuries county elections were held and declared here, at The Butts.
In fact, Brentford did not become a town in its own right until the 1870s, when New and Old Brentford were finally joined together under Brentford Urban District Council.
Industry began to arrive in Brentford during the latter half of the 18th century. The first industries tended to rely on Brentford's corn market, with numerous malt houses, normally attached to inns, as well as breweries and distilleries. Several of the former still survived into the 1890s, and at least three breweries were still active, including one in Boston Manor Road and another in Catherine Wheel Yard. This particular industry went into decline locally as Fuller, Smith & Turner (today known simply as Fuller's) bought the independent breweries and sold off the premises. Only the Royal brewery survived beyond the turn of the century.
At the end of the 18th century produce from the local market gardens was being loaded for destinations as far a field as Hungerford, while timber, corn and coal were major imports. The latter was given added significance with the completion, in 1805, of the Grand Junction Canal, following the course of the Brent for part of its route, and making it possible to bring coal and manufactured goods from the Midlands to Brentford and then on to the rest of the South East
Whether it brought affluence to Brentford is a moot point. Canal-boat children were a constant worry for local philanthropists and a school was established for them in the 1890s, initially in Isleworth but later in The Butts and, during the 1950s, in the old St Lawrence's school.
The railways effectively ended Brentford's days as a coaching town. The loop line was opened in 1849. Of greater interest, historically, was the Great Western & Brentford Railway's branch, opened in 1859, principally a freight line-passenger trains ran only from 1860 to 1915 and from 1920 to 1942. A site at Old England had been purchased from a timber merchant, James Montgomery (who also gave his name to one of the wharves), and here Brunel designed a covered dock where goods could be trans-shipped between railway and river, so providing a link between the GWR and the Port of London. This survived until 1964.
The Great West Road, about 150 yards north of the Loop Line and running broadly parallel with it, brought modern industries to Brentford in the 1920s. The character of Brentford however survived, with its small, back-street industries, its wharves and boat-building yards. Many waterside areas have been sanitised today, not least in nearby Isleworth, but that has not happened here. For the resident with open eyes, the waterfront at Brentford, with its echoes of the past, is well worth the exploration.
Brentford Travel Links
As has already been mentioned, Brentford has superb travel links. The 235, 237, 267, E2 and E8 bus routes stop along the London Route which forms Brentford High street. The 237 and 267 run to Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith respectively. Both of these destinations are on the fringes of London's business district and from there it is possible to find a connecting bus to pretty much anywhere else in London.
Brentford mainline station runs through to waterloo, making it perfect for business men, daytrip shoppers and anybody who fancies a weekend jaunt to Paris on the EuroStar.
Housing in Brentford
Brentford lies next to Ealing, with the two areas being separated by the A4 also known as the Great West Road.
Brentford is served by superb travel links with buses running to Greenford, Ealing, Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith. Brentford is also served by two main line train stations, Brentford and Isleworth, both of which offer the quickest route into the very heart of London. Although not served by any dedicated tube stations, Brentford is within easy commute of Hounslow East or Osterley tube station both of which run on the Piccadilly line to either Heathrow or Central London via Ealing.
In terms of Housing, Brentford is one of West London's most up and coming areas as well as containing one of the best examples of English architecture from several centuries ago in the form of the Butts.
The Butts consists of a street and a square of red brick houses developed around 1680 by William Parish Landlord of the nearby Red Lion Inn. The result is truly some of the most quintessentially attractive housing in West London, with the houses bearing comparisons in their modest way to the housing around Salisbury Cathedral. The Butts also has the honour of being the former residence of the famous painter J.M.W.Turner.
More modern, accommodation is also being constructed on Brentford Dock, in the shape of several blocks of luxury apartments. These apartments offer some of the best views around, looking out over the Brentford section of the Canal and the mighty River Thames.
Housing in Brentford
Brentford lies next to Ealing, with the two areas being separated by the A4 also known as the Great West Road.
Brentford is served by superb travel links with buses running to Greenford, Ealing, Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith. Brentford is also served by two main line train stations, Brentford and Isleworth, both of which offer the quickest route into the very heart of London. Although not served by any dedicated tube stations, Brentford is within easy commute of Hounslow East or Osterley tube station both of which run on the Piccadilly line to either Heathrow or Central London via Ealing.
In terms of Housing, Brentford is one of West London's most up and coming areas as well as containing one of the best examples of English architecture from several centuries ago in the form of the Butts.
The Butts consists of a street and a square of red brick houses developed around 1680 by William Parish Landlord of the nearby Red Lion Inn. The result is truly some of the most quintessentially attractive housing in West London, with the houses bearing comparisons in their modest way to the housing around Salisbury Cathedral. The Butts also has the honour of being the former residence of the famous painter J.M.W.Turner.
More modern, accommodation is also being constructed on Brentford Dock, in the shape of several blocks of luxury apartments. These apartments offer some of the best views around, looking out over the Brentford section of the Canal and the mighty River Thames.
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