Description
Northolt was once known as Northall, complementing neighbouring Southall. The area was primarily agricultural until the Paddington Canal was built in 1801, stimulating excavation of brick-earth. The parish was originally 3 hamlets, of which only Northolt Village recognisably survives, its Memorial Hall and surrounding greens held under Trust by the villagers following a trust deed set up in 1927. A few buildings remain from the old village and the Green has some prominent trees and a canalised stream running through it. Near the parish church, Northolt Village Rest Garden is laid out with flower beds and lawn, overlooked by the old Willow Cottages.
Practical Information
| Site location | Ealing Road, Northolt |
|---|---|
| Postcode | UB5 |
| What3Words | ///hotels.grapes.purple |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Ealing |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Events | Northolt Pageant |
| Public Transport | Tube: Northolt (Central). Bus: 120, 140, 90, 282. |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Northolt used to be known as Northall, complementing neighbouring Southall, and was primarily in agricultural use until the Paddington Canal was built in 1801, although speculative building on the farmland did not begin until the 1920s. The canal stimulated excavation of brick-earth, the last brick works closing in 1939. The parish was originally three hamlets, Northolt Village, West End and Wood End, of which only Northolt recognisably survives. The Memorial Hall of Northolt Village and surrounding greens are held under Trust by the villagers following a trust deed set up in 1927. A canalised narrow stream runs through the village green, crossed by a number of small bridges. There are a few buildings remaining from the old village, and some prominent trees, preserving its rural character despite surrounding urban development. On the east side of Ealing Road is a group of older cottages, Herbert's Cottage, Well Cottage and Fern Cottage, behind which is Deyntes Cottage. At the far end of the green in front of Station Parade is a Clock Tower dating from 1937 erected to commemorate King George VI's Coronation, in rustic style with an oak frame with brick infill, and a tiled roof surmounted by a copper weathervane. This area of the green is sometimes known as Mandeville Green.
St Mary the Virgin church (q.v.) is reached from the green up a lime tree-lined path. The small Northolt Village Rest Garden onto which the former Willow Cottages face, is situated at the bottom of the slope to the church, made into public open space within the latter part of the C20th, and are pleasantly laid out with flower beds and lawn. The cottages were empty by the early C20th and were threatened with demolition in 1915, having no sanitary arrangements, but they were eventually preserved.
St Mary the Virgin church (q.v.) is reached from the green up a lime tree-lined path. The small Northolt Village Rest Garden onto which the former Willow Cottages face, is situated at the bottom of the slope to the church, made into public open space within the latter part of the C20th, and are pleasantly laid out with flower beds and lawn. The cottages were empty by the early C20th and were threatened with demolition in 1915, having no sanitary arrangements, but they were eventually preserved.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ132842 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Part owned by LB Ealing, remainder registered under the Land Registration Acts 1925 and 1936 |
| Site Management | LB Ealing Leisure & Parks Service |
| Listed Structures | Local list: Herbert’s Cottages, Wells Cottages, Deyntes Cottage, Ivy Cottage, Willow Cottages, former Ravens Stores |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL108) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Ealing |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Northolt Village Green |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
St Mary the Virgin Church dates from c.1300 although there may have been an earlier church of some sort. The parish originally consisted of 3 hamlets, Northolt Village, West End and Wood End, of which only Northolt recognisably survives. The church, set on top of a small hill overlooking Northolt Village Green, is reached by a lime tree walk from a gate at the bottom. In 1718 a pair of external buttresses were constructed on the west wall as it was feared the church was in danger of falling down the hill. The C14th font was given by Sir Nicholas Brembre or Brember, Lord of the Manor, who was executed at Tyburn under Richard II in 1388. His headless body reputedly haunted his old manor thenceforth on the anniversary of his death. Situated adjacent to the churchyard are notable earthworks of the moated medieval manor house, excavated in the 1950s and '60s.
In 1936 land near St Mary's Church in Northolt was acquired by the MCC and the local council for public open space, which became Belvue Park. Situated adjacent to the parish church are notable earthworks of the moated medieval manor house, excavated in the 1950s and '60s that provided evidence of Saxon occupation. Fragments of Iron Age pottery, as well as Roman roof tiles have also been found at the highest point of the park.
Islip Manor Park was created on the former grounds of Islips Manor, whose history dates back to a C14th estate of the Ruislip family, Ruislips Place. It was renamed Islips Manor when the Lord of Northolt Manor purchased the estate in 1629. In 1853 it was purchased by antiquary George Harris who laid out the grounds and rebuilt the house, which remained in his wife's family after his death in 1890. Ealing Town Council purchased house and grounds in 1929; the house was used as a clinic and the grounds opened as a public park. There are vestiges of the C19th planting, with many fine trees, and the municipal layout included new planting, a bowling green and modest modern flower garden.