Brentford Dock facts for kids
Brentford Dock was a very important place in Brentford, west London. It was where goods were moved between trains from the Great Western Railway (GWR) and boats on the River Thames. Building the dock started in 1855 and it opened in 1859. Today, the old dock area has been changed into homes and a boat marina called Brentford Dock Marina and Brentford Dock Estate.
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What Was Brentford Dock?
Brentford Dock was built on a large island. This island was located between the River Thames and two parts of the River Brent. Some of this land belonged to a timber merchant named James Montgomrey in the 1800s.
The Great Western and Brentford Railway Company built the dock. This company later became part of the GWR. The dock was built near the mouth of the River Brent and the Grand Junction Canal. It was also across the river from Kew Gardens.
Who Designed Brentford Dock?
A famous engineer named Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed the dock. The dock had a special entrance called a lock. This lock allowed boats to move from the River Thames into the dock.
The railway company also built a train line to the dock. This line, called the Brentford Branch Line, connected to the main GWR line at Southall. The construction of the dock began in 1855 and finished in 1859. Brunel's first covered dock was destroyed by a fire in 1920. A new building made of iron and steel replaced it.
What Was Moved at the Dock?
Brentford Dock was a busy place for moving goods. It connected the railway network to barges and boats on the River Thames. These boats then carried goods to the Port of London.
After World War I, the dock was updated for bigger boats. Boats up to 300 tons could use it. Many types of boats used the dock, including large river barges and sailing barges. The dock also had customs facilities, which meant goods from other countries could be processed there.
Many different goods passed through the dock. These included coal, steel, timber, wood pulp, flour, and animal feed. Other items like cork and general merchandise were also moved. In the 1950s, even Morris cars from Oxford were transported through the dock. Coke from Southall Gas Works was also brought to the dock daily by special trains.
When Did the Dock Close?
Brentford Dock closed on December 31, 1964. After it closed, the area was redeveloped. In 1972, the Greater London Council (GLC) started to transform it.
The plan for the new housing estate at Brentford Dock began in 1972. The homes were completed by 1978.
The construction of the Brentford Dock Marina started in 1978. The marina officially opened on August 7, 1980. Sir Horace Cutler, who was the head of the GLC at the time, sailed to the opening on a boat called Princess Freda.
