Located just to the south of the massive Stanwell Moor and the vast Staines Reservoirs, this suburban neighbourhood incorporates huge amounts of green space as well as the town centre of Staines. The commercial area is home to the Two Rivers shopping centre and high streets, which possess all the amenities and conveniences that one could ask for. Sandwiched between the busy A30 and the idyllic banks of the River Thames, the area is a unique mix of everything. The majority of the residential areas are modern blocks of flats, and a handful of large interwar homes to suit a diverse population. What’s more, Staines station runs convenient services into central London, and hence the neighbourhood is perfect for families and commuters who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city for a slice of well-connected, but rural, suburbia.

Staines is apparently Roman in origin, and was formerly known as Ad Pontes, a name which refers to the numerous bridges that crossed the Rivers Thames and Colne. The first mention of the town as Staines is in the Anglo-Saxon Charter of 969, and it was later mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. During the Middle Ages, the village was known for its numerous Annual Fairs, which drew audiences from across Surrey. It remained predominantly rural throughout the next few centuries, and was the route into London from the south west. It was a popular staging post with numerous coaching inns until the 19th century when the town industrialised, becoming the country’s primary manufacturer of linoleum. The linoleum factory was the main hub of local employment until it closed in 1960 and the Two Rivers shopping centre was built on the site in 1970.

A prominent landmark in this neighbourhood, known as the London Stone, was installed in the area in 1285 to mark the western limit of London’s jurisdiction over the River Thames. A replica marks this spot today. The town was also a popular route into the city for kings and queens. The occasion was marked by the ringing of church bells.

Despite the huge amount of green space to the area’s north, the moor is traversed by the busy A30 and the M25, which for some, spoil the neighbourhood’s rural appeal, and definitely cause significant air and noise pollution. Despite this, the roads do make car travel very convenient, particularly for those who do not wish to pay for train travel.

Eden Grove, which occupies the land of 17-51 London Road, is a development currently being undertaken by the Berkeley Group. The luxury housing project is set to bring hundreds of new faces to the area, who will benefit from the complex’s gym, cinema room, and central courtyard. It will likely bring further investment to the town and ultimately the regeneration of Staines town centre. It is expected to be fully completed in 2026, though homes will be ready to move into in 2023. The development will deliver a stylish collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Interest in the project, especially considering it’s low prices compared to more central parts of London, has proven to be quite high considering that half of the flats are already sold.

Thames Water has also been carrying out improvement and new infrastructure works for the Staines Reservoirs. In 2020, they carried out works on the dam and its associated infrastructure to extend its durability and longevity, claiming that these developments will extend the reservoirs usability well into the next century.