Gunnersbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gunnersbury |
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 The Gunnersbury public house |
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 Gunnersbury
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| OS grid reference | TQ195785 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | W3, W4, W5 |
| Post town | BRENTFORD |
| Postcode district | TW8 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Gunnersbury is a lively area located in West London, England. It's known for its mix of homes, important buildings, and green spaces. This part of London has a rich history and has changed a lot over the years, from old manor houses to modern business parks.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Gunnersbury" has an interesting history! It comes from an old Scandinavian name, "Gunnhildr." So, "Gunnersbury" basically means "the manor house of a woman named Gunnhildr." A manor house was a large country house, often the main building of a big estate.
Growing Over Time
Gunnersbury is mostly made up of homes built before World War II. You can find many different types of houses here, like flats, terraced houses (joined in a row), and detached houses (standing alone).
Key Buildings and Landmarks
One of the most recognizable buildings in Gunnersbury is the 18-story BSI building. BSI stands for the British Standards Institution, which helps create standards for products and services. From 1966 to 1992, this tall building was home to a major office for IBM UK, a famous computer company.
Right below this building, you'll find Gunnersbury station. This station is super important for transport, connecting people to the District line of the London Underground and the London Overground train service to Stratford.
The Gunnersbury Pub
On the north side of Chiswick High Road is a historic pub called The Gunnersbury. It was built in 1853 and used to be known as the John Bull pub. It even had a billiards saloon for games. Over the years, it became a popular spot for music, and famous bands like The Who even played there!
From Buses to Business
In 1921, a company called the London General Omnibus Company opened a big facility in Gunnersbury. This place was used to fix and maintain buses. It even had a special training school with a "skidpan" to teach bus drivers how to handle slippery roads!
However, in 1989, the bus works closed down. The area was then redeveloped in 2001 into the Chiswick Business Park. This modern park now has 12 office buildings and is home to many well-known companies. Some of these include CBS News, Discovery Channel Europe, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas. There's even a Virgin Active health club there!
Nature and Green Spaces
Right next to the business park is the Gunnersbury Triangle nature reserve. This is a lovely woodland area that provides a home for many different birds, plants, and animals. It's a great place to visit, and entry is free! You can find its entrance on Bollo Lane, close to Chiswick Park Tube Station.
Just north of the nature reserve, you'll find the Chiswick Park Footbridge. This bridge connects the Chiswick Business Park to Chiswick Park tube station, making it easier for people to get to work.
Local Schools
Gunnersbury also gives its name to a nearby secondary school, Gunnersbury Catholic School. This school is for boys and has a co-educational sixth form (meaning both boys and girls can attend for the last two years of school). It used to be located closer to Gunnersbury Park but moved to its current location in Brentford in 1984.
A Look at the Past: St James Church
In 1886, Gunnersbury got its very own parish church, named after Saint James. This church was located on Chiswick High Road. However, just over a century later, in 1987, the church was closed down and soon after, it was demolished. Its parish (the area it served) was then joined with another church, St Paul's, in Brentford.
Getting Around Gunnersbury
Gunnersbury is well-connected by public transport, making it easy to travel around London.
Nearest Tube Stations
- Acton Town tube station
- Gunnersbury station
Nearest Railway Stations
- Gunnersbury station
- South Acton railway station
Images for kids
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Gunnersbury Baptist Church
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BSI building over Gunnersbury station
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18th-century mock temple in Gunnersbury Park
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Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Harvard Road
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Chiswick Business Park
