This area is situated in the heart of the ancient parish of Ruislip in west London. The area has a range of excellent commuter-belt train services into central London, including Ruislip, Ruislip Manor and Eastcote Underground stations. Clustered around these transport hubs is a range of shops, food-outlets, cafes and other amenities making the neighbourhood very well provided for. Aside from this, the residential offerings of the neighbourhood are predominantly leafy, suburban streets lined with semi-detached houses, which prove very popular with the neighbourhoods mostly middle-class residents.

Interestingly, the name ‘Ruislip’ is most likely derived from the old English words meaning ‘rush’ and ‘leap’, referring to the fact that the river Pinn – which runs through the area – was narrow enough for people to jump across! Ruislip’s existence was first documented in the Domesday book in 1086, which refers to the area as a manor. The manor itself changed hands multiple times throughout the last millennium, passing from Norman ownership to a Benedictine Monastery, and to the property of the crown from 1404 up until the 1930’s. Up until the arrival of the metropolitan railway in 1904, the area remained relatively rural in character, and is enjoyed today for its convenient hybrid location between rural and urban areas.

One famous resident who hails from Ruislip is the esteemed optical mineralogist Stuart Olof Agrell, born in Ruislip in 1913. He became best known after appearing as the BBC’s ‘Expert Geologist’ on television during the Apollo Moon Landing (he was the only non-American petrologist member of the Apollo team!) Aside from this, Agrell had a highly respected career as a teacher and researcher at Cambridge University, and his memory is honoured by the mineral ‘Agrellite’ which is named after him!

Whilst this area of west London is made even more desirable as a result of its historic setting and leafy appearance, such features have had a big impact on local house prices in the area. Indeed, the popularity of the area – probably compounded by the good transport links – means house prices for a semi-detached property average just below £600,000, and for a detached home over £800,000 – limiting the affordability of the area. Despite this, the area and its local authority are working hard to meet the needs of the growing population, which includes improvements to local services and amenities and upholding the reputation of the area.

As was previously mentioned, a number of key changes and investments are to come to the nearby area in the next few years. This includes major investment from Hillingdon Council into local schools and educational facilities. Expansion work is due to occur at nearby Vyners School and Ruislip High School, which should be able to provide hundreds of new school places to local children. This work arrives to the local area as part of a £260 million primary and secondary school programme, and should hopefully help ease any pressure which exists for residents seeking school- places.

The opening of nearby RAF Northolt to commercial flights in 2019 has been the biggest change to this neighbourhood in terms of its impact on noise and traffic. As the number of yearly flights has risen over 10,000 many locals have complained, arguing that they were unaware of these changes despite the council promising in 2017 to “ensure that no changes occur at RAF Northolt without the consent of local communities”. A few minutes south of here more than 90 new council homes are currently under construction on Seasprite Close opposite Rectory Park.