Willesden: A vibrant and well connected suburb

There are numerous reasons to consider Willesden as a place to settle, especially if you're looking to live in a diverse part of the capital that's well connected transport-wise.

Located in North-West London in the borough of Brent, Willesden is just five miles from Charing Cross, making it an excellent commuter area for young professionals and city workers.

And it's viewed as an up and coming area that is attracting lots of investment and seeing plenty of house price growth, which means property to rent in Willesden is highly sought after.

History of the area

Willesden was something of a rural settlement until the latter half of the 1800s when the Metropolitan Railway station of Willesden Green opened in 1879.

The area's population then quickly grew, becoming a working suburb with numerous factories and new homes being built. It entered a period of decline in the 70s and 80s due to overcrowding, but in recent decades there has been a shift in demographic and Willesden is now a vibrant area popular with both young couples and families.

The area has been shaped by patterns of migration over the years, making it one of the most diverse parts of London, and indeed the UK. It has a large Irish community, while migrants from the Caribbean and the Indian Subcontinent have also settled in Willesden.

Willesden's amenities

Willesden's residents are never short of things to do. There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants in the area, as well as shops and cinemas.

It also has one of the best public libraries in the UK, with long opening hours and books in many languages, including Urdu, Tamil and Hindi. There are also many adult education opportunities at the library, as well as events and facilities for children.

There's also Willesden Sports Centre, which features a gym, two swimming pools, a health suite and a group exercise studio, as well as an athletics track and an indoor running Tube.

Willesden Cycling Club

Willesden is home to London's biggest cycling club with over 200 members who take part in everything from track cycling and time trials to road racing and Audax events

As well as facilities for advanced cyclists, the club also offers grass roots coaching and social rides, with club runs every weekend and mounting bike outings throughout the year.

And it could see an influx of new members following the London 2012 Olympics, with the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Victoria Pendleton having inspired a new generation of keen cyclists.

Schooling

There are 107 LEA schools in the London borough of Brent, several of which are located in Willesden. Primary schools include Gladstone Park, Leopold, Mitchell Brook and St Joseph's RC.

For secondary school children there is Newman Catholic College, Covent of Jesus and Mary Language College and Capital City Academy, while further education is provided by the College of North West London.

Transport options

Willesden is extremely well connected to Central London via the London Underground network thanks to Willesden Green station on the Jubilee Line, which takes residents in to Waterloo, London Bridge and on to Canary Wharf and Stratford.

Dollis Hill and Neasden stations are also within walking distance for some residents. Both are on the Jubilee Line.

Many bus routes start or run through Willesden too, taking passengers to some of Central London's most important business districts and tourist attractions.

Posted by Chris Price

Published 29th August, 2012

© 2012 Estates IT Limited