Wealdstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wealdstone |
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 Wealdstone war memorial and clock alongside a parade in the northern part of High Street |
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 Wealdstone
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| Population | 11,394 (2011 Census. Ward) |
| OS grid reference | TQ155895 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HARROW |
| Postcode district | HA3 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Wealdstone (/ˈwiːldstoʊn/) is a lively area in the middle of the London Borough of Harrow, England. It's just north of Harrow town centre. Wealdstone is also south of Harrow Weald, west of Belmont and Kenton, and east of Headstone.
This area is home to many businesses and factories in Harrow. The famous Kodak Harrow factory was here until it closed in 2016. Wealdstone's main street is the High Street. A flyover called George Gange Way, built in 1996, helps traffic avoid the High Street. The western edge of Wealdstone is Harrow View, with Headstone Manor nearby. To the east, you'll find Byron Park and the Belmont Trail. Harrow & Wealdstone station and the local council offices are at the southern end of the area.
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What's in the Name?
The name Wealdstone comes from a special stone called a sarsen stone. This stone once marked the old boundary between the parishes of Harrow and Harrow Weald.
You can find the Weald Stone outside the Bombay Central restaurant today. This building used to be a pub called the Weald Stone Inn, and before that, the Red Lion. It's located at 328 High Road, Harrow Weald.
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A close-up of The Weald Stone from the south.
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The Weald Stone is in the bottom right of this picture of Bombay Central.
A Look Back in Time
Wealdstone became its own local government area, called Wealdstone Urban District, in 1894. Later, in 1934, it joined with Harrow Urban District.
Many of the homes in central Wealdstone are older Victorian and Edwardian houses. There are also newer apartment buildings on High Street and George Gange Way.
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The Kodak Harrow factory was a big part of Wealdstone's history until it closed in 2016. Other factories like Winsor & Newton (which made art supplies), Whitefriars Glass, and Hamilton Brush Works also helped make Wealdstone an important industrial area for Harrow. Today, the Waverley Industrial Estate still has many businesses. A factory for Her Majesty's Stationery Office was taken down in 1996. Now, the Harrow Crown Court stands in its place.
The bypass road for Wealdstone High Street was finished in late 1996. In 1997, the supermarket chain Asda planned to build a large store in Wealdstone. This project would have changed the town centre a lot. It caused some debate and was eventually stopped. However, Asda opened a smaller supermarket on the High Street in 2015.
In 2004, local children painted a mural of Queen Victoria on the railway bridge. It's a nice way to remember history!
Sports and Fun
The Harrow Leisure Centre is located in Wealdstone. It has many facilities for sports and activities. You can go swimming, play badminton, snooker, or try martial arts. There's also a gym run by Harper's Fitness.
Next to the leisure centre is Harrow Skate Park. It's one of the oldest skate parks still around in the country! This park is a major spot for skateboarding in Britain. People come from all over to visit it.
The local football team, Wealdstone FC, has a long history. In 1903, they played at the College Farm ground. Later, they moved to Belmont Road, and then in 1922, to Lower Mead. This ground was sold in 1991. After many years without their own stadium, Wealdstone FC now plays in Ruislip. Famous former players include Stuart Pearce, Vinnie Jones, and Jermaine Beckford.
Who Lives in Wealdstone?
Wealdstone is known for having the youngest population in the borough of Harrow.
According to the 2011 census, the largest group of people in Wealdstone ward were White British (25%). The next largest groups were Indian (20%) and Other Asian (13%). This shows Wealdstone is a very diverse place!
Local Government
Wealdstone ward is part of the Harrow West area for the UK Parliament. The current Member of Parliament (MP) for Harrow West is Gareth Thomas from the Labour party.
Some smaller parts of Wealdstone, west of High Street and north of Locket Road, are in the Harrow Weald ward. This area is part of the Harrow East constituency. The MP for Harrow East is Bob Blackman from the Conservative party.
Other Cool Places
The Holy Trinity Church of England church was built in 1882. It has a beautiful Gothic style.
There are several schools in the area, including Sacred Heart Language College, Salvatorian College, and Whitefriars School.
Getting Around
Trains and Tube
Wealdstone has one main station:
- Harrow & Wealdstone station (You can catch the Bakerloo line, Watford DC Line, Southern trains, and West Midlands Trains here).
Bus Routes
Seven different London Buses routes run through Wealdstone during the day. There is also a school bus (route 640). At night, two bus routes serve Wealdstone: 140 and N18.
Famous People from Wealdstone
- Gordon Hill, also known as The Wealdstone Raider, is a well-known internet personality.
