This neighbourhood is unique in the fact that half of the area is comprised of the RAF Northolt base. The residential areas are situated to the north and south, clustered around Ruislip underground station and Ruislip National Rail station. Outside the RAF Northolt entrance the Ruislip Gardens underground station is served by the Central line, giving locals the choice of three different underground lines – (if you include the Piccadilly and Metropolitan at Ruislip!) Known locally as the ‘smallest’ of the Ruislips, the area is generally quieter and has less to do than the neighbourhood Ruislips, but residents are close enough to neighbouring amenities to not be inconvenienced.

Little happened in the way of suburban development before the 1930’s regarding Ruislip Gardens, when housing estates were laid out alongside the opening of the new Great Western Railway’s Birmingham line in 1934. Prior to this, little significant development occurred bar the establishment of New Pond Farm on West End Road (a key road through the area) in 1972. The arrival of Ruislip Gardens tube station in 1906 saw the central line added alongside the existing railway tracks, which had been laid by Great Western and Great Central Joint Railway.

Popular television personality and actor James Corden hails from Hillingdon, but did you know his father was a musician in the RAF Band? The RAF band are the musical- arm of the Royal Air Force and travel around the world for performances to raise awareness and support for the RAF – they even have a band based at the RAF Northolt in Ruislip Gardens!

Ruislip Gardens School was opened in 1940, but it had to be closed swiftly after due to the proximity to the RAF Northolt. The likelihood of the school being bombed during the blitz was raised due to the fact that the military base was so close-by and would be too dangerous to risk being open!

Due to the late development of the area in contrast to surrounding Ruislip neighbourhoods, some have come to regard Ruislip Gardens as the less glamorous, less desirable location of choice in Ruislip. This may be due to the comparatively nondescript orientation of its housing and shopping parade, which is perhaps less picturesque as other areas. Whilst this may be the opinion of some, the area nonetheless is an important part of Ruislip, with local school, Ruislip Gardens occupying a highly popular space for residents, demonstrated by the ‘very positive views in all areas which included pupil happiness, safety, communication with parents’ and the wider community.

The area itself has seen a number of minor changes in recent years, but the opening of RAF Northolt to commercial flights in 2019 has been the biggest 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”. Elsewhere, the The Quadrate development at 106 Pembroke Road was recently completed, comprising 23 affordable homes with outdoor space as well as a large ground floor commercial unit.