West Twyford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Twyford |
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 West Twyford
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| OS grid reference | TQ205805 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | NW10 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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West Twyford, also known as Twyford Abbey, is a small neighborhood in London. It is located in the northeastern part of the London Borough of Ealing. You can find it northeast of Hanger Lane station and north of Park Royal. The London Borough of Brent and the River Brent are to its north.
Long ago, West Twyford was a special area in Middlesex, England. It was first an "extra-parochial area," meaning it wasn't part of a regular church parish. Later, it became a civil parish from 1866 to 1926.
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Where is West Twyford Located?
West Twyford is traditionally described as being about 281 acres (1.14 square kilometers) in size. Today, it is generally considered smaller.
Its borders are:
- The Hanger Lane gyratory to the west.
- The A406 North Circular and the River Brent to the north.
- Park Royal to the south.
- Harlesden to the east.
A long circular road called Lakeside Drive in the south is historically part of this area. It is also considered part of Park Royal and is located in the London Borough of Brent. Most of the Borough of Ealing uses west London postcodes. However, West Twyford shares the NW postcode with nearby places like North Acton and Park Royal.
What is the History of West Twyford?
The area we now call West Twyford started as a manor house in the 1200s. A small community grew up to the west of this house. This community was built around St Mary's Church, which was originally a chapel for the manor house.
Twyford Abbey: A Grand Building
The manor house was rebuilt starting in 1807. It was then renamed Twyford Abbey. Even though it was called an "abbey," it never housed a religious group like monks or nuns.
In 1902, the Alexian Order took over the manor house. They used it as a nursing home, caring for people who were ill. The brothers who ran it faced money problems in 1988. They then joined another part of their order in Manchester.
The house is a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected. Sadly, it is now empty and falling apart. There have been many requests to get permission to fix it up, but none have been approved. The best view of this beautiful old building is from next to St Mary's Church, especially in winter.
The Name "Twyford"
The name Twyford comes from Twyford Brook. This brook now flows almost entirely underground. In the past, it supplied water to the Guinness brewery in Park Royal. The word 'Twyford' itself is thought to mean 'Two Fords'. A ford is a shallow place in a river or stream where you can cross.
How West Twyford Changed Over Time
West Twyford became a civil parish in 1857. This happened under a law called the Extra-Parochial Places Act 1857. From 1894, it was part of the Greenford Urban District. In 1901, it covered 281 acres (1.14 square kilometers) and had 97 people living there.
When the urban district was closed in 1926, West Twyford became part of the Municipal Borough of Ealing. Then, in 1934, it moved to the Municipal Borough of Willesden. Today, the area is part of Greater London.
Housing Built by Guinness
Much of the housing on Twyford Abbey Road was built by the Guinness company. They built these homes for their employees who worked at the brewery in Park Royal. Abbeyfields Close is one example of these homes. It was built in 1984 around shared gardens. This land used to belong to Guinness.
St Mary's Church: A Local Landmark
The parish of St Mary's joined with the parish of the Church of the Ascension in nearby Hanger Hill. In the 1950s, the chapel of St Mary's was made bigger with a new church building. However, this new building later became unsafe and was not used.
In 2010, the new church building was completely fixed up. It became a community hall for local events. The original chapel was rededicated to St Mary and became the church again. The church itself is quite small. It was originally the chapel of Twyford Abbey, located right behind it. St Mary's churchyard has one of the oldest gravestones in Middlesex.
Getting Around West Twyford: Transport Options
West Twyford has good transport links for getting around London.
Bus Routes
Bus route 226 goes through Twyford Abbey Road. It travels towards Ealing Central and Golders Green (passing through Harlesden). Other bus routes, 83, 95, and 112, also stop nearby. You can find them on the Hanger Lane Gyratory and the A406 North Circular Road. These buses go towards Ealing Hospital (via Ealing Broadway), Shepherd's Bush, Southall, and Brent Cross. They also go to Golders Green (via Wembley).
London Underground Stations
West Twyford is close to two London Underground (Tube) stations:
- Hanger Lane on the Central line.
- Park Royal on the Piccadilly line.
What Can You Find in West Twyford?
West Twyford has many useful places nearby.
Shops and Services
You can find groceries, banking services, a post office, and health services at the nearby 'Park Royal Neighbourhood Centre'. This center also has a Lebanese Restaurant, a Spice Shack restaurant, and a Subway cafe. A new building is currently being built on Acton Lane, next to the Central Middlesex Hospital. This new building will have shops and restaurants on the ground floor.
Leisure and Entertainment
The Royale Leisure Park in Park Royal is just south of the A40 and West Twyford. You can get there by using the underpass near Park Royal tube station. The main store for the clothing brand Boden is located next to Park Royal Tube station.
Education in West Twyford
West Twyford Primary School provides education for children. It serves students from 3 to 11 years old.
Sport and Fun in West Twyford
West Twyford has green spaces and waterways for activities.
West Twyford Park
West Twyford Park was once called Bodiam Fields. This name came from an area in Sussex where hops were grown for the Guinness brewery. There are plans to improve West Twyford Park. There will also be new lakeside walks and cycle paths nearby.
Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal flows through West Twyford. It offers flat paths alongside the water for walking and running. It's a short walk along the canal to the Grand Junction Pub. This pub has lots of outdoor seating right by the canal. The pathway continues all the way to Little Venice and Paddington.
Community Life in West Twyford
West Twyford has several active community projects.
Community Projects
These include the 'West Twyford Community and Youth' project and the 'West Twyford Children’s Centre'. The Children’s Centre offers many services and activities. These include groups for mothers and toddlers, health services, and daycare. They also have before and after school clubs, classes for women looking for work, and English classes.
St Mary’s Church Community Hall
St Mary’s Church Community Hall, on Brentmead Gardens, hosts many activities for local people.
What's Next for West Twyford?
West Twyford is expected to see some new developments in the future.
New Public Spaces
The area will soon have a new public plaza. This plaza will feature shops, cafes, a restaurant, and a health and fitness club. There will also be new public play areas, games areas, and fitness zones in West Twyford Park.
Improved Transport Links
There will be a better path for walking and cycling from West Twyford to Park Royal Underground station. The station itself is also planned to be improved. The public park, walkways, two children's playgrounds, and a new games court are now finished. However, the plaza project seems to be on hold for now.
New Homes
Flats in the Royal Waterside development, called Bodiam Court and Abbey Court, were expected to be finished from summer 2015.
Access to Twyford Abbey
The Mayor's plans for the Park Royal Opportunity Area include a goal to allow public access to the grounds of the historic Twyford Abbey site.
