This attractive suburban neighbourhood is part of the Borough of Ealing, and sits just to the south of the River Brent. Rich in history, residential housing and the lush green spaces of Brent Valley, the area is perfect for families seeking an escape from the exhaustion of the city. Much of the architecture was established in the late 1800s and was originally social housing made up of quaint terraced and semi-detached houses. These homes gather around the Hanwell Community Centre, which has been the long-standing core of the community for now over two centuries. Settlements have existed in the area since the Saxon times, and for the majority of its history the neighbourhood was a small rural village. The origin of Hanwell as we know it today begins in 1853, when the current community centre was built as a Poor Law school. It accommodated 1200 children from workhouses and its success prompted the growth of the area into the suburban community that it is today. The beginning of the early-19th century put Hanwell on the map as the location of one of Britain’s first social housing development spots. The homes made for Cuckoo estates (named after a colloquial term for the area) remain today as the area’s primary source of housing.

Did you know that Charlie Chaplin used to go to Hanwell’s Poor Law School? There’s a statue dedicated to the famous comedian and actor outside the Community Centre today. If you give it a visit, it’s also worth looking out for any paranormal activity. Some locals say that “the phantom sounds of youngsters laughing and crying can be heard from time to time, but only by other children”.

However, it could just be the reverberations of 60s rock bands’ Uriah Heep and Deep Purple, who both used the rehearsal rooms in the centre to practice.

Locals in this area seem to be frustrated with an increase in fly-tipping after the introduction of controversial new wheelie bins by Ealing council. Additionally, the introduction of new affordable housing in the area has caused some disruption to local life, although residents are generally open to new developments, particularly around Copley Close.

Thanks to the introduction of the Elizabeth Line, the area is set to become a key commuter hotspot, particularly due to the current affordability of its housing. Furthermore, it seems that Ealing council are planning ahead for this future demand. By 2021, some 1847 private residential units were in the planning pipeline in close proximity to Hanwell Station. Housing developments are also looking incredibly promising for ordinary people. The first phase of homes at Copley Hanwell won the “Best First-Time Buyer Home awards” in 2018 and the project has been given the go ahead for further expansion. This will hopefully be a continuation of the area’s proud historical commitment to quality housing.