The neighbourhood of Dollis Hill sits just west of Cricklewood. Famous to other Londoners for its spacious Gladstone Park, there’s reason to visit even if not living in the area. While it can feel like a fairly quiet suburb, the park is home to the wonderful Stables Café, as well as the Kilburn Cosmos Rugby Club. Easily reached by the surrounding tube stations, residents love this quiet suburban enclave for a variety of reasons. Since it’s known for its plethora of highly rated schools, and variety of 1920s homes and red-brick Edwardian houses, it’s no surprise that families are drawn to the area. It’s no normal London suburb though. Dollis Hill’s high levels of diversity makes it a more rich and interesting place to settle.

The neighbourhood is home to the historical Dollis Hill House. This house was built in 1825 when the Finch family converted their small farmhouse into a larger building. Unfortunately by 1850, the family was struggling financially and had to begin renting out the house. Eventually, Lord and Lady Aberdeen moved in, inviting their many accomplished friends to visit. At the end of the 19th century, Willesden Urban District Council purchased the house and surrounding land in hope of preserving the greenery while preventing development. Currently the house is still standing but not in use. Local community members have been actively campaigning for its refurbishment.

Late UK Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once used a good portion of this neighbourhood as a quiet retreat from Central London. The former estate was eventually purchased and converted into today’s beloved Gladstone Park.

Some Londoners view Dollis Hill as a bit quiet and boring. Aside from Gladstone Park, there aren’t many things to do in the area. It’s for this reason though that many locals love the area. Residents value the area’s safety and tight knit community.

The neighbourhood has been receiving more attention from developers in recent years. A slightly older example of this kind of investment is Gladstone Village, a development located on the edge of serene Gladstone Park. Completed in 2016, it offers trendy houses targeted at younger families looking to become homeowners. This development has also noticeably influenced the value of other parts of the neighbourhood. Middle Yard, a newer development in the area, offers 136 apartments spread across four buildings. Tenants would have access to an on-site gym, swimming pool, biodiverse gardens and private balconies or terraces.

In late 2022, a proposal for the development of more than 1,800 homes and a college, to be built across Dollis Hill and Wembley, was announced by housebuilder the Hill Group and developer Pinnacle Investments, who will approach Brent Council with their application in early 2023.