Feltham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Feltham |
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| Town | |
 High Street, Feltham town centre |
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 Feltham
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| Area | 6.56 km2 (2.53 sq mi) |
| Population | 63,368 2011 Census |
| • Density | 9,660/km2 (25,000/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TQ105735 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FELTHAM |
| Postcode district | TW13, TW14 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Feltham is a town in West London, England. It is about 13 miles (21 km) from the very center of London. Long ago, Feltham was part of Middlesex. In 1965, it became part of the London Borough of Hounslow.
For a long time, Feltham was mostly farmland. But in the 1900s, London grew bigger, and Feltham changed a lot. Many old buildings on the High Street were taken down in the 1960s and 1970s. A new shopping center opened in 2006.
Heathrow Airport is close by, to the north-west. Many people who live in Feltham work at the airport. Feltham also has a train station on the Waterloo to Reading line.
Contents
Feltham's Past: A Journey Through Time
Feltham has a long history. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086. Back then, it was a small village with about 21 homes. The land was owned by a powerful count named Robert.
Later, the land was given to different important families and even to the King of England. In 1440, King Henry VI gave special rights to the people looking after his lands in Feltham. This meant their crops and goods could not be taken for the king's use.
In the 1600s, the manor of Feltham was given to Lord Cottington. He was a very important person in the court of King Charles I. Over time, the land was sold many times. By the early 1900s, much of Feltham was owned by a judge and politician named Ernest Pollock. He saw the area grow with new homes and transport links.
Mapping History: The Ordnance Survey
In 1784, a general named William Roy started mapping Britain. He set up his first measuring line, called a baseline, right through Feltham. This was the start of the famous Ordnance Survey maps we use today. There's even a pub in Feltham named after General Roy!
Growing into a Town
In 1831, Feltham covered a large area and had about 924 people. The Waterloo to Reading Line brought a train station to Feltham in 1848. This helped the town grow. In 1904, Feltham became its own special district, called the Feltham Urban District. Later, nearby areas like Hanworth and East Bedfont joined it.
From the 1860s to the 1920s, Feltham was famous for its market gardens. A man named A.W. Smith, known as the "Cabbage King," had huge greenhouses here. His "Glass City" was one of the biggest at the time.
In 1965, the Feltham Urban District joined with other areas to form the London Borough of Hounslow. This was part of a big change that created Greater London.
Famous Faces in Feltham's Past
Feltham has been home to some famous people. Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock band Queen, lived here. A special granite star was put in Feltham's town center to remember him. Brian May, Queen's guitarist, and Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin also lived in Feltham.
Modern Feltham: New Buildings and Shops
Feltham's town center has changed a lot over the years. The railway arrived in 1848, and the town center moved north. Many old shops were replaced in the 1960s and 1970s. Some old houses were also taken down to build new apartment blocks.
The main shopping area today is called The Centre, Feltham. It opened in 2006. It has a large Asda supermarket, fashion stores, restaurants, and a hotel. There's also a Tesco superstore nearby. Before the big changes, the band Oasis filmed their music video for "Stand by Me" in The Centre in 1997.
Where is Feltham?
Feltham is located about 13.5 miles (21.7 km) west-south-west of central London. It's also only about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the center of Heathrow Airport.
Nearby towns and villages include Hounslow, Ashford, East Bedfont, Sunbury Common, Cranford, and Hanworth.
How Feltham is Run
Feltham does not have its own town council. Instead, local councillors from the London Borough of Hounslow meet to discuss issues important to Feltham, Bedfont, and Hanworth.
Feltham is part of the Feltham and Heston area for national elections. This area elects a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the UK Parliament.
Feltham's Economy
For a long time, Feltham's main business was market gardening, growing fruits and vegetables. A type of pea called "Feltham First" was first grown here. Later, these farms were replaced by light industries, gravel pits, and new homes.
Feltham has always been important for transport. In the past, tramcars were made here. Aircraft manufacturing was also a big industry, especially during the war years. Feltham also had Britain's second largest railway marshalling yard for moving goods by train.
Aston Martin, the famous car maker, had its main factory in Feltham from 1926 to 1963. Today, that area is part of the Leisure West entertainment complex.
The biggest employer in the area is Heathrow Airport. Many businesses related to shipping and logistics are based in Feltham because of the airport. Feltham is also home to some high-tech companies, like DHL and Arqiva, which helps transmit TV signals for channels like Sky.
Fun and Green Spaces in Feltham
Feltham has more green spaces than many other parts of London. To the east, there's a small river called the Crane, which separates Feltham from the large Hounslow Heath. There's also a country park called Bedfont Lakes, which used to be gravel pits.
For fun, Feltham has the Leisure West complex. It has a cinema, a bowling alley, and restaurants. There are also sports facilities at Springwest Academy and Rivers Academy West London. Feltham also has a local football club, Bedfont & Feltham F.C..
People of Feltham
In 2011, Feltham had a population of 63,368 people. The community is very diverse. About half of the people are White British, and a large number are of Asian and Black backgrounds.
Places of Worship
Feltham has several churches. St Dunstan's Church is a very old church. It has joined with two other churches, Southville Methodist Church and the United Free Church, to work together.
There is also the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Lawrence, which has a primary school next to it.
Getting Around Feltham
Tube (Underground Train)
The closest London Underground station is Hatton Cross, which is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Feltham town center. You can catch the Piccadilly line here to go to central London or Heathrow Airport.
Railway (Overground Train)
Feltham railway station is in the town center. Trains run on the Waterloo to Reading Line. You can travel to places like Windsor and Weybridge.
Buses
Feltham has many London Buses services. You can take a bus to nearby towns like Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Heathrow, and Staines-upon-Thames.
Well-Known People from Feltham
- Freddie Mercury (1946–1991): The lead singer of the band Queen.
- Brian May: Also from the band Queen, he lived in Feltham.
- Jimmy Page: Guitarist for Led Zeppelin.
- Mo Farah: A famous long-distance runner who went to school and ran for an athletics club in Feltham.
- Steven Caulker: A professional footballer born in Feltham.
Images for kids
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Recovery Stores at a RAOC Depot, Feltham by Karl Hagedorn, 1945
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Skyline of West Feltham and Bedfont Lakes looking north-west.
See also
In Spanish: Feltham para niños
