“Hounslow boasts some of the best transport links of any London borough, not only connecting residents to other areas of London but also the rest of the world with ease from one of the world’s busiest airports”
Moving to Hounslow
Occupying the narrow space between the Borough of Hillingdon and the Royal Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames and close to London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow boasts some of the best transport links of any London borough, not only connecting residents to other areas of London but also the rest of the world with ease from one of the world’s busiest airports. Like many other London boroughs, Hounslow is an area of contrasts, with areas such as the affluent Chiswick contrasting with more congested areas such as Feltham, while salaries across the borough reflect these two extremes. Redevelopment plans are currently underway in some of the more deprived areas with aims to improve affluence and prosperities across the borough – Hounslow has already welcomed an £18.5 million investment from the Mayor of London which will see thousands of new homes built in Hounslow town centre by 2025, while Feltham town centre is also on track to receive 3,500 new homes as well as improved facilities.
Hounslow is a very culturally diverse borough, with 48% of residents born abroad and one of the largest Indian communities in the UK. Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport has been a strong source of employment for many residents in both Hounslow and the neighbouring borough of Hillingdon, although flight noise can be off-putting for some potential residents despite night time restrictions, particularly with proposed plans for a third runway.
As well as a large working population there is also a high youth population in Hounslow, with 21% of the borough made up of young people under the age of 15. As a family-orientated borough, the council have done much to develop the area accordingly to offer locals a good variety of leisure, educational and recreational activities.
House Prices in Hounslow
The average house price in Hounslow is around £470,000 as of 2017, lower than the London average and much more affordable than neighbouring Richmond, although slightly more expensive than its northern neighbour Hillingdon. Properties in the London Borough of Hounslow vary greatly according to area, with many expensive detached Victorian and Edwardian homes to be found in Chiswick alongside contemporary apartments popular with young commuters, while Feltham offers more opportunities for affordable terraced and semi-detached housing.
“Hounslow is a very culturally diverse borough, with 48% of residents born abroad and one of the largest Indian communities in the UK”
Transport
There are good public transport connections in Hounslow, including the Underground, National Rail services and well-connected A-roads. The Piccadilly Line and District Line serve a number of stations in the borough making commuting into Central London fast and easy, while the Overground from Gunnersbury is ideal for travel into North and East London. By road, Chiswick has good links to the M4, M25 and North and South Circular, whilst the arterial A308 also connects the other end of the borough with major motorway routes.
In addition, the close proximity to London Heathrow Airport makes international travel easy for Hounslow residents, with flights from five terminals travelling daily to destinations all over the world.
Lifestyle
For local foodies, the London Borough of Hounslow offers an admirable selection of restaurants, particularly in Chiswick where you’ll find everything from traditional gastropubs to fine-dining restaurants alongside popular chains such as Franco Manca, Vinoteca and Zizzi’s. In Hounslow town centre, on the other hand, there’s an excellent selection of Indian and South Asian restaurants with top choices including Saigon Restaurant, Honey Moon and Taste of Lahore.
For residents seeking a touch of retail therapy, the Treaty Shopping Centre in Hounslow town centre is a large indoor complex which houses many popular high street shops, including Debenhams, River Island and New Look. Alternatively, for a more picturesque and leisurely shopping experience, Chiswick High Road is home to a number of independent boutiques such as health food shop As Nature Intended, antiques shop The Old Cinema and bicycle shop A Fudge & Sons, laced in between welcoming cafes, bars and the famous Fuller’s Brewery.
Groceries
Many supermarkets can be found in Hounslow, with a selection including Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Iceland surrounding Hounslow Central. International products are also easy to find, with Alminta Eastern European Food Store and the Asian Food Centre providing a myriad of different products. In addition, Chiswick is home to a Farmers and Fine Food Market at the Grove Park Farm House, which is open every Sunday from 10am-2pm.
Health & Sport
Hounslow offers a range of exercise and sporting facilities for residents looking to work out, with branches of national gym chains Gold’s Gym, The Gym and Anytime Fitness all found here, as well as some good council services such as Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre and Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre.
Culture
For creative types, the Paul Robeson Theatre in central Hounslow is a high-quality local arts centre with a 250+ capacity theatre, a bar, a café and a dance studio. The borough is also fortunate to be home to a staggering five stately homes, including the notable Syon House, located in Syon Park by the River Thames. Covering 200 acres, the house belongs to the Duke of Northumberland and is famed for its unusual interior. Boston Manor House is another popular historic spot for those with an interest in the history of the borough, while art fans will enjoy visiting Hogath’s House, the former country home of Georgian painter William Hogarth.
“The borough is fortunate to be home to a staggering five stately homes, including the notable Syon House, located in Syon Park by the River Thames”
Schools and Education
For families with school-aged children, the London Borough of Hounslow offers a very good selection of schools, with all but one primary school in the borough rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Some of the best secondary schools in Hounslow include St Mark’s Catholic School, Gumley House RC Convent School and Gunnersbury Catholic School, while for primary-aged children Hounslow Heath Junior School and Berkley Primary School are both good choices.
Safety
Crime in the Borough of Hounslow is gradually falling, and as of 2015 over three-quarters of residents believed the local police were doing a good job at protecting the borough. Crime is lowest in areas such as Chiswick and Brentford, and higher in the area of Feltham.
Green Space
Hounslow offers a good selection of green spaces, including fifteen parks which were awarded Green Flag awards in 2016. Popular green spaces in the borough include the multi award-winning Bedfont Lakes Country Park, which is home to a nature reserve and children’s playground. Alternatively, horticultural enthusiasts might be interested to see Chiswick House Gardens, often regarded as the first example of an English Landscape Garden. For something a little different, Hounslow Urban Farm in Feltham is particularly appealing to families with young children due to the large open spaces and opportunity to get up close and personal with a range of animals including pigs, rabbits, alpacas and peacocks.
History
Now a well-connected, cohesive borough, Hounslow actually developed as separate settlements for hundreds of years. Brentford was an old market town of Middlesex, Hamworth was a Royal Manor, and Chiswick was once a riverside village named after the old English word for a cheese or dairy farm. It wasn’t until 1965 that the area was established as a London Borough, and all the separate areas were brought together under one local council.