Why Northolt, UB5, West London is Great

One great thing about Northolt is that while being only 20-30 minutes from Central London on the tube, it has plenty of green space and sights.

You can read below about The Grand Union Canal, Northolt and Greenford Country Park, The Golf Clubs (Northolt Golf Club, C & L Golf and Country Club). But in addition to these spaces, there are also a number of greens including the main village green with the Clock Tower, Islip Manor Park, Belvue Park (Leading to the beautiful and historic Saxon Church) and Lime Tree Park.

The sights of Northolt include the man made hills of the Country Park, the clock tower and floral areas, the Polish War Memorial, the White Hart (an old coaching house) and Smiths Farm with its historic record (now part of the country park).

Northolt is located in a very comfortable part of West London. It is fairly reasonably priced both for buying and renting, yet it has easy access to London with great transport links on the tube, and quick access to Heathrow for international travel. Northolt has some really great green spaces as you will be able to read below, with some unique features to them,f or example a lake designed for model boating.
Northolt has a great selection of schools, making it great for a family with children at or approaching school age. It is also relatively quiet, much quieter than other suburbs closer to London. If you are lucky enough to live in a place south of the A40, you will benefit from the man-made mounds in the park which act as a great sound barrier.

Northolt also has a community feel to it, where living here for a while, you can get to know the locals, who are quite friendly. However, as Northolt is a big hit with commuters, this may be on the wane. The community really depends on what newcomers make of it.

The area is very car friendly, with most shops placed for car access, a number of car repair and spares shops and with the A40 and A312 intersecting, it can give you a quick zipline into London, out to the West and to Heathrow. Northolt is lucky for this part of London, in that it is not under any Heathrow flight paths due to the proximity of RAF Northolt airbase, and the times when you do hear air traffic, it is worth taking a look because it may well be the Red Arrows - read more on them below.

As mentioned above, it is very well priced - you will get much more space for your money than many other London areas, with apartments and homes having a little bit more room to breath. So, living in Northolt really allows you to experience living in London at a slower more gentle pace, it is cosmopolitan and multicultural, well connected, leafy and encompasses both very modern areas south of the A40 and the picturesque middle English Northolt Village.

The Plough was an old style pub in a house with a traditionally thatched roof and Tudor style timbers. It was a beautiful building. As well as serving drinks it later had the Zenzi-bar which served Indian food and buffets, and catered for events. Arguably was one of the best looking buildings in the area. The pub was a landmark of Mandeville Road, complementing the small village green and clock tower.

In late August of 2009, the building was lost to an accidental fire, thought to have been started by an electrical spark in tinder dry thatching on the roof. The roof was completely destroyed along with most of the upper floor and causing such damage that the building had to be removed. The fire was initially slow, smoke from the roof growing to a fire that took 6 hours for fire crews to control according to local news sources.

I am not sure of the age of it, or if it was listed, but it seems very unlikely that a similar building would replace it. Luckily nobody was hurt or injured in the fire. The building will be sadly missed though.

Northolt has plenty of really beautiful and varied park land, which it shares a little with Greenford, Ruislip and other surrounding areas. This is probably the best of it though. Comprising of spaces previously known as Northala Fields, Smiths Farm and Rectory park, they have been brought together and rebuilt astoundingly.

At the heart of the area Northolt and Greenford Country Park now has four conical man made hills, built using recycled rubble and building materials. They mean the rest of the park is shielded from the nearby A40 sounds. These hills give an excellent vantage point, from where among other sights Canary Wharf and Wembley National Stadium can be seen on a clear day.

The country park has a number of lakes, which are frequented by Wildlife including swans, ducks, moorhens and geese. It has wetland areas to encourage other wildlife as well. Another shallower lake is designated as a model boating lake - with easy wading depth. The hills offer a natural shield to RF interference making this a great spot for model boating or flying model planes - more on this below.

There are a number of playing fields for football, three playgrounds for younger children, a skatepark and play areas for older children.

Also there are some natural woodland areas left from when Northolt was urbanised - so at the right time of the year, you will see plenty of woodland flowers - including the Bluebell show. It is not hard to spot squirrels and if you are lucky the odd fox.

A natural meandering stream runs through the park, augmented by a new channel built to deal with the run off from the lakes. Invertebrate refuges have been set up in some parts encouraging bees and other beneficial animals to stay in the park.

Crossing over from the main park takes you into the Smiths Farm part where new (10 year old) forests have been planted, giving some deep dark woods, as well as natural grasslands and access to the Grand Union canal. These are dotted with plaques showing the history of the area - how it was once used for brick making, and later for builders waste with the canal a major thoroughfare for business. See below for more information on the Canal.

Also in the park is a golf club ensuring there is no lack of things to see and do here.

The Northolt and Greenford Park now has finally opened a cafe just beside the lakes. It seems fairly popular too. We've stopped in their for coffee and cakes, which were both pretty good.

The cafe also adds a much needed feature to the park, some reasonably maintained public loos!

There is another half to the building that is not yet open - so we are yet to see what we will end up with there. When the weather is good, we can make our way there, and in the summer I look forward to sipping soft drinks with Ice in the park.

The Country Park offers a great place to use RC Cars, RC Planes and RC boats.

The first feature are the large conical hills. These offer a natural RF shield limiting the interference in the area. Also, they are good launching points for Gliders and lighter RC aircraft. Not too high, but high enough, with large flat plains below - ample landing room as long as you miss the lakes.

One of the lakes in the park is designated as a model boating lake, with a depth shallow enough to wade in should a boat be in trouble. Other lakes have fishing stands which are useful for launching the boats, but try not to upset the local wildlife or other lake users with them.

For aircraft enthusiasts, the presence of the nearby RAF means that while flying their own light RC craft they have the added excitement if the Red Arrows are doing something in London and fly overhead.

Because the hills and the lakes are so close, model RC seaplanes would be great in this space too.

There are plenty of walkways both smooth and rugged for RC cars or tanks, and it could even be used to test drive robots.

I personally have a boat I take out on the lakes and a car I take out at other times.

Link: http://www.northolt-mrc.org.uk/
Live Steam Rides: 3rd Sunday of every Summer month, 2pm to 5pm.
Cost per ride: 30 pence!

Northolt is home to a model railway club working with many different gauges, including larger rideable model trains on a purpose built track.

Train rides on live model steamers are on the 3rd Sunday every month - kids will absolutely rave for this! Many of the steamers that run on the large tracks are scratch built by club members. This is set in a very bright and well tended garden in Northolt village, a pleasant spot in itself.

There is a traditional looking "North Halt" station for members of the public to board and leave the trains, with a ticket office, and a chap who stamps the tickets while ensuring passengers know the rules - like keeping feet and hands in and not leaning.

The train runs on a track which is at some points a few feet from the ground, with bridges, curves and inclines. The club members are friendly and more than happy to chat away about their engines and other things.

Please remember not to leave it until 5pm to turn up, the members don't enjoy having to turn people away.

The club also has large layouts for smaller gauge modelling. They have an open evening every Friday.

When visiting there are also teas/coffees refreshments at really good prices. I paid only 40p for a cup of tea!

One huge advantage of Northolt is how easy it is to get to Heathrow. The A312, running through the heart of the town runs through to Heathrow and because of this, sees a great deal of traffic and footfall.

The A312 shares a junction, the Target Roundabout, with the A40, so much of the traffic coming from closer to London out to Heathrow will be passing through this roundabout. This makes this a great spot for businesses to gain passing trade.

Also a local bus, the 140, offers a 24 hours service to Heathrow, which for locals is door to door. If you fly regularly - this really makes it a simple journey.

And yet, because of the proximity of the RAF base, we do not get overhead domestic flight traffic from Heathrow, giving Northolt the best of both worlds.

One of the other great spots in Northolt is the Grand Union Canal. This is an ideal place to start long walks from, passing through a number of other Greater London Suburbs with diverse appeal.

As it fairly seamlessly blends with the Smiths Farm area of Northolt Country Park, it can become part of a walk starting in the country park. Living in Northolt, the park is quite literally next door to me.

It is not uncommon to see plenty of water birds, including ducks, swans, geese and moorhens on the Canal. If you keep your eyes open, you may even catch swans nesting as I have. It is also a fishing spot frequented fairly often. There are pleasing wild flowers, and walking along you will also see other golf courses and Northolts large Mosque.

The Grand Union Canal is also still in use by river boats and barges, which you will occasionally see chugging along. It is not unusual to see houseboats moored in designated mooring spots, some with facilities only easily accessible from the river. If you are looking for somewhere to moor a houseboat in London, Northolt is a beautiful spot with all the local amenities and a welcoming atmosphere.

Further south from the country park, there is a marina situated in the new Grand Union Village development in Northolt.

Northolt has a few unique and niche local businesses.

Jedi-Robe
Among my favourites has to be Jedi-Robe.com.

Jedi-Robe.com is a shop specializing in Star Wars memorabelia, and while carrying a large range of all kinds of kit like figures and models, its main focus is on costumes. They carry costumes for many of the different characters as well as a number of replica weapons, kit and light-sabres.

If you are considering attending a star wars/sci fi convention, a fancy dress party or have another reason to want Star Wars costume, then this shop, just South of the Target Roundabout in Northolt is an ideal place to look. They have an extensive and well put together online presence too.

Full contact details at Jedi-Robe.com.

The White Hart
Another great place in Northolt is the historic White Hart Public House. This has been a landmark in the area for many years, having been a coaching house before.

The pub, now associated with the local London Fullers brewery, is pleasant, with a small inn and a number of friendly local characters. This pub is a hub for some parts of the local community.

It has a garden suitable for Children to play in, a beer garden out front with a shelter for drinking outside that has been sculpted to look a little like a jet from above in reference to the local RAF.

A pool room houses a table and a number of seats for observing the game. There is a traditional bar area and saloon area as a number of older pubs in Britain do. Great Food is served, and events are run from time to time.

The White Hart has a number of pictures and plaques showing it historic links with the town and presence adorning its walls. If you are looking for a traditional British pub, with bar staff who will remember your face, and local regulars who are friendly and will get to know you, this is a great pub to remember.

West End, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 5AX

Pepitas Dog Parlour
Yes - Northolt has a pet grooming Salon. Why not give your pet an occasional pampering - they will love you for it. This local business will treat your pet like a VIP.

216 Church Rd
Northolt, UB5 5AE
020 88451899

Cafe Dream
Okay - there is nothing that unique about a All-Day-Breakfast cafe, beyond that the customer service and staff are always friendly, and we have never been disappointed. This Cafe, situated near the White Hart Roundabout, has a range of food throughout the day, be it a full English Breakfast, Sunday Roasts, Pies and other things.

474 Church Rd, Northolt, UB5 5AU

Bridal Affairs
This shop on station parade provides dresses and accessories to ensure a bride will be stunning on their big day. Definitely worth a visit.

1a Station Parade
Ealing Road
Northolt
Middlesex
UB5 5HR

Telephone: 020 8841 1801
Fax: 020 8841 1801

Calypso property Services
Calypso Property Services serve Northolt and surrounding areas with excellent and well priced cleaning, maintenance, paint & decorating services. While not strictly based in Northolt, some of their staff are.

Their decorating services are able to tile bathrooms, deal with scratches, sort out badly hung doors, fill holes, repaint walls and ceilings (without making a mess) and importantly7 get rid of disgusting black mould.

Their cleaning services can clean up after builders, prepare rental properties between tenants
, clean up after parties, remove really difficult stains from carpets, curtains and upholstery and remove waste and other mess.

Because this service is comprehensive, they can be basically be trusted with a messed wreck of a flat and turn it into a shining finished product. I have personally used this service, and have been very impressed with the result.

• Website: http://www.calypso4you.co.uk/


• Phone: 0208 995 9021


• Mobile: 07706863656, 07912100992


• Email: office@calypso4you.co.uk

Between the end of 2009 and throughout the start of 2010, there was a large amount of snow fall on Northolt. We had a good few inches.
However, it lead to surprisingly little disruption, and some really beautiful pictures, which I will put up here as soon as I have uploaded them.

The village green and clock tower looked especially picturesque, although it is a shame that the plough is missing form those pictures. The main roads were kept clear - with Church Road, aka the A312, and the A40 well gritted. The bus services and tubes kept running. Which in one way was great, but also meant that there were no "snow days" to spend at home with my family and play in it.

The pavements were another story, there was deep snow, which was enjoyable to stomp around in if you are still a big kid at heart like me. It became a little dangerous as ice though. Our beautiful lakes froze over, and I had a little fun there with my family skimming pieces of snow over them - this makes quite an unusual noise. There were at least a few snowmen in the park, and people sledding in the weekend.

As the lakes began to thaw, the swans and geese returned, restricted to part of the lake that was not frozen. We entertained our daughter by throwing bread to them as they probably need it in these colder months.

Another thing I have noted in the beginning of this year is that the new apartments built just past the parade on Church road are now up for sale, and they look great to me.

Our relatively new park - Northolt and Greenford Country park (which used to be Northala Fields, Smiths Park and Rectory Park), has been home to 2 swans, 1 couple, for some time.

However, going out in the icy weather today (a freezing -3 brrr), we spotted six swans in the lakes. Some so young they still have their grey feathers. We spotted some getting into a bit of a flap over one of the lakes (sibling turf war perhaps?). They join the other geese and Ducks that reside there now.

The lakes were mostly free of ice, although the little brook was iced over and the wetland areas were a little icy too. there were plenty of people out having a walk with their young ones like we did. Also, I spotted my first squirrel back out this week - perhaps it is a bit early for them still with this weather, but it is good to see them in the woods there.

There are now 6 swans in Northolt. I have added photos of the swans, ducks and geese in our local park, as well as a photo of the snow we had settled on the park.

Excellent news - a cafe, that was promised for some time, has finally been built and seems now to be open in the Northolt and Greenford Country park.

I intend to find time during a weekend to go and sample some coffee and cakes there, so I can give an idea of what it is like. It is still a bit muddy from recent building gear, but it does have a view onto the lakes with the swans and the large rolling meadows behind them.

My little one is currently absolutely train crazy, so finding the Northolt Model Railway Club, which offers rides on Live Steamers for only 30p was amazing - it is right on our doorstep. Hopefully she is not too young. There are rides happening tomorrow!

This is at Northolt Town Hall.
Details at: http://www.northolt-mrc.org.uk/

Choochoo! (my little one is saying that all the time now)

Today was the first time we actually went to ride the model trains at the Northolt Model Railway Club - it was open for the public, and our daughter absolutely loved it!

As it was only 30p each for a ride, my wife and I took turns going on with the little one (60 pence for the pair) a few times. At this cost, and with the big happy smile, this was both a very cheap, and easy day out. We are within walking distance of the spot.

Today, because the club are waiting to do their annual assessment of the steam boilers (they are safety checked for pressure and certified), they had the Electric/Diesel models out. These are pretty good fun, perhaps without as much of the theatrics as the steam trains. So we will be going back next month to see those too!

Our route there takes us through the country park, which on a day like this is beautiful, and a little busy. The ducks were out on the water, one rather overoptimistic chap was fishing (those lakes were landscaped 3/4 years ago, I doubt there are any fish) and our little one made a friend or two in the play area.