by Dorothee Schröder
A West London Town
Uxbridge is a suburban town in west London and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon.
The Origin of the Name
The name derives from “Wixan’s Bridge”, a crossing associated with the Anglo-Saxon tribe known as the Wixan, who settled in the area during the fifth century.
A Major Coaching Town
By 1800, Uxbridge had developed into one of the most important market towns in Middlesex, because it served as the first major coaching stop for travellers journeying from London to Oxford.
The Arrival of the Underground
The opening of the Metropolitan line in 1904 gave Uxbridge its first direct rail connection to London and encouraged further growth.
From Middlesex to Greater London
Formerly part of the parish of Hillingdon in Middlesex, Uxbridge became a municipal borough in 1955 and was incorporated into Greater London in 1965 as London’s suburbs expanded.
The Battle of Britain Bunker
The former RAF station is home to the Battle of Britain Bunker, from where the air defence of south-east England was coordinated during the Battle of Britain. Its No. 11 Group Operations Room later also played a role in preparations for the D-Day landings and can now be visited by the public.
A University Town
Uxbridge is home to Brunel University London as well as a campus of Buckinghamshire New University.
Olympic Connections
Uxbridge formed part of the marathon route during the 1908 Olympic Games and also featured in the Olympic torch relays of 1948 and 2012.
The Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal, formerly known as the Grand Junction Canal, passes through Uxbridge and links London with Birmingham. Today, its towpaths provide popular routes for walking and cycling alongside the waterways.
A Modern Shopping Centre
Today, Uxbridge has a busy and compact town centre centred around The Pavilions and The Chimes shopping centres, with high street retailers, independent shops, cafés and a multiscreen cinema.
Cover picture: Uxbridge (Source: OpenStreetMap)
