property, homes and houses for sale in Willesden

Delightful, tree-lined streets, a wealth of quality housing with more on the way via Government regeneration; Willesden is a good place to put down roots.

Living in Willesden

Willesden is in the London Borough of Brent, about five miles north-west of Charing Cross. It is a friendly neighbourhood, predominantly consisting of young professionals and families, often with strong historical links to Ireland.

Property is a mix of Victorian villas, between wars semi-detached houses, and Edwardian terraces.

Above £1M the houses are fairly grand and a mix of styles including mock Tudor, classic Victorian terraces especially near Brondesbury Park and, at the top end, a variety of mid to late 20th century detached houses offering up to eight bedrooms

Willesden offers a good choice of shops and superstores mostly located in the High Road. For a more intense shopping experience there is Brent Cross Shopping Centre, which is three miles to the north.

For an upmarket evening out there are plenty of restaurants and bars in neighbouring West Hampstead, accessible via Willesden Green tube station or a short trip by road.

Willesden is surprisingly green and has several parks including Roundwood Park, a formal Victorian park with renovated facilities and an excellent café and open-air theatre.

Willesden Sports Centre is a stunning recreational amenity lying adjacent to King Edward VII Recreation Ground which has a running track and playing fields.

Belvedere Day Hospital and Willesden Community Hospital are both conveniently located near the Sports Centre.

There are several primary schools in Willesden including faith schools and, for secondary education, there's Queen's Park Community School in Aylestone Avenue, Brondesbury Park, for boys and girls aged 11-18.

Transport

There are tube stations serving the London Underground in Willesden Green and Dollis Hill both, of which, are on the Jubilee Line.

Willesden Junction is on the Bakerloo Line and also the London Overground, linking Richmond and Clapham Junction with Watford Junction, Stratford and Barking.

For full details of public transport including local bus routes please visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/default.aspx.

History and culture

'Willesden' derives from Willesdune, which means 'The Hill of the Spring' or 'Spring Hill', and a settlement bearing that name dates back to 939AD.

The parish of Willesden was predominantly rural until 1879, when the Metropolitan Railway opened its station at Willesden Green.

In the 20th century, Willesden has been shaped by human migration and it is one of the most diverse areas in the UK. City of London Corporation records state that Sarah Eco was the first black person to be christened in St. Mary's Church in 1723.

By the 1930s many Irish people had made Willesden their home, and during and after World War II Jewish people also came to settle. By the 1960s, Willesden was attracting immigrants from the Caribbean and India.

In 1965 the Municipal Borough of Willesden was abolished and its former area became part of the London Borough of Brent.

For further information regarding Willesden please visit http://www.brent.gov.uk/.