Stop sniggering at the back! It is possible to have fun in Hounslow, whether you are a resident of this corner of west London, or just killing time between flights. Be warned, my idea of fun involves either food or alcohol (often together). If you've come here expecting info on plane spotting, I'm afraid you'll have to see Steve McVeety who can usually be found wandering aimlessly around the bus station talking to pigeons.
Many people of note, especially in the musical sphere, have connections with Hounslow. Hounslow Heath was Dick Turpin's stomping ground, and Elizabeth I gobbled bread made from Heston wheat, and stayed at Osterley Park House. Neville Chamberlain gave the "peace in our time" speech after landing at Heston Airport. More recently Ian Gillan was born in Hounslow, and Bruce Willis has quaffed in Cranford. The Bluetones, I believe, come from Spring Grove. Billy Smart used to drink at the Bulstrode. Best of all, Jimmy Page was born in Heston, Richie Blackmore went to school there, and Freddie Mercury at one time lived in Feltham (Both Jimmy and Richie were assisted in their musical amititions by guitarist 'Big' Jim Sullivan in Hounslow West). Sonic Assassin Dave Brock was born in Isleworth. Given all this, it's hardly suprising that Jim Marsall's first amplifier shop was opened in Hounslow. I think velvet-voiced überbabe Sarah Cracknell used to live in Brentford, but I could be mistaken. For what it's worth, Anna Ford definitely does live there. According to the Knowhere guide to Hounslow, Jimi Hendrix's first UK gig was at the Duke of Cambridge. Tony Hancock rests in peace in Cranford, and I've been told that Phil Collins used to live here, but the less said about that the better! In mitigation I have been told that Elvis Costello also used to live in Hounslow - he kept that quiet! The Sabres of Paradise, according to Xfm, used a studio located above a curry house in Hounslow. (Anyone know which one?). I have also been informed that Patsy Kensit and good old Maria Whittaker are also locals. Bless. Incidentally, Maria attended Cranford Community School, the same alma mater as Sanjeev Bhaskar. Others who have connections with Hounslow are Robb Johnson the folk singer, John Hanson the tenor, and Rufus Sewell and Charles Hawtrey the ac-tors.
Researching and making notes on Hounslow's pubs is a big job and one I take very seriously. That means this site is continually being tweaked and updated at irregular intervals. Also, inebriation is an occupational hazard in this sort of enterprise and this slows the process up somewhat!
Be warned, if you make a habit of wandering around Hounslow, you run the risk of bumping into someone like this!
Any comments, questions etc please email me, and I'll stick your comments on the feedback page. Please note that no business mentioned in these pages has made any contribution, financial or otherwise, to me. Tightarses!
