This neighbourhood of Harlesden is a small community nestled in the north-western London Borough of Brent. The neighbourhood is filled with long established Irish and Caribbean communities as well as newer arrivals from Brazil, Portugal and Somalia. This lively mix of residents makes the area one of the most diverse suburbs in London. Harlesden has many attractive three and four bedroom Victorian terrace houses, as well as numerous Twenties terraces and Thirties semis - all perfect for families who want to access the great primary schools in the area. There are numerous Caribbean, Thai, and Indian restaurants on the High Street, as well as Rubio, a pizza restaurant with a wall of vinyl record covers and Alma’s Swedish café. The neighbourhood also offers a few local pubs which help residents enjoy a real sense of community.

Harlesden was originally known as “Herewulf’s Tun”, meaning ‘Herewulf’s Farmstead’. It began as a Saxon settlement on an elevated and well-watered woodland clearing. The area remained rural until the 19th century when the railways as well as cottages for workers were built. On 16 January 1939, the Irish Republican Army blew up the electricity cable bridge in the neighbourhood, cutting power off from Battersea Power Station. Luckily, no one was injured. Additionally, in the early 1900s, one of Europe’s biggest industrial estates was constructed at nearby Park Royal leading to the development of large factories like McVitie & Price and Heinz. This development gave the neighbourhood an industrial vibe that can still be seen and felt today.

Harlesden is the unofficial reggae capital of London. In the 1960s and 70s, Harlesden was considered the home of British reggae. Remnants of this can still be found on Craven Park Road, with Hawkeye, the area’s last reggae record shop.

Crime in this neighbourhood area is a bit on the higher side at a rate of 2.85, compared to the overall London average of 2.18. Violence against a person is the highest reported crime. However, the crime rate has gone down in recent years and it is likely that it will continue to drop as the neighbourhood becomes more developed.

This neighbourhood area is slated for major development and refurbishment in the coming years. Harlesden is set to be transformed by a million-pound regeneration project after Brent Council successfully secured funds for a Harlesden Gateway High Streets Heritage Action Zone in 2021. The funding will help deliver public realm improvements to the high street, as well as enhancements and refurbishments to existing buildings and shopfronts. Brent Council has also begun works to develop new council homes f0r Church End, with an aim to deliver 99 new homes and an improved Market Square for the local community. It is expected that works will end in 2025.

To the South, Old Oak Common has been designated a new super-hub set to be the best-connected and largest new railway station ever built in the UK. Development prospects around the station, which is expected to become one of the country’s busiest following the completion of HS2-related works for the station, are anticipated to have high returns and an area immediately to the southwest of the proposed station has already been identified for commercial development. The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) was also established to capitalise on the significant HS2 and Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) investment at Old Oak Common. Tasked with the redevelopment and regeneration of over 640 hectares of land, it is the OPDC’s ambition to create approximately 26,500 new homes and 36,500 new jobs along with new open spaces and supporting infrastructure.