Sightseeing
So what can
one do with oneself with a free day in Hounslow when you've exhausted
the possibilities of the Treaty Centre?
Absolutely
top of the list must be Osterley Park and House (bus 120
to Heston Church, or Tube to Osterley). The Elizabethan mansion
was built in 1576 by Thomas Gresham (also responsible for the
City's Royal Exchange). For me the park is the real reason for
visiting, though. It is one London's largest surviving estate
parks. If it wasn't for the nearby M4, and the aeroplanes overhead
you could easily imagine yourself to be in the middle of the country.
Stables have been converted into a cosy cafe, and near the park
entrance there's a farm shop which sells organic vegetables and
free range eggs (guilt free eggy bread!). I think the park is
at its best on a crisp, clear autumn or winter's day. Ater a long
walk you really feel you've deserved your pint at the nearby Hare
and Hounds - see QuaffingII. Also worth noting is the small group
of shops just outside the park entrance - there's an excellent
second hand book shop there, and a very promising looking Indian
restaurant (Memories of India) which will feature in Gobbling just as soon as I've
tried it.
Syon House is similarly appealing.
Built by Henry V, Henry VIII kept Catherine Howard here before
he had her head lopped off. I haven't been there for some time,
but I remember the grounds being as good as Osterley's, with the
added attraction of snooty peacocks. There's also a butterfly
house, garden centre, and food shop, and for the kiddies, a miniature
steam train.
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St
Leonard's church in
Heston is named after the patron saint of prisoners and captives
and is interesting for several reason. The lynchgate at the front
of the church dates from c.16, and is apparently one of the most
ancient and well preserved in the country. It
has recently been renovated. The church itself is fairly
new - the ancient church which stood on this site fell into disrepair
and was demolished and rebuilt in 1886. However the four storey
tower was retained - it was built in the mid 13th century, making
it about 700 years old.
There are also some interesting
graves in the church's graveyard. According to parish records,
Robert Evans, a highwayman is buried there as well as
an un-named victim of highwaymen. Mary Ann Brock (died. 20 May
1836), Queen Victoria's nanny is also buried there.
As one would expect in a graveyard
in Hounslow there are a number of servicemen's graves here. Captain
Robert Newman (d.1 April 1833 aged 90) was the last surviving
officer of Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar Fleet. Someone else who
deserves to be remembered is Private Frederick White (d.11
July 1864 aged 27). He was court-marshalled for some offence
and was sentenced to 50 lashes. Whilst being lashed he made some
inappropriate comments (who wouldn't?!) and was immediately sentenced
to 50 more. These killed him. The public outcry that took place
as a result of this led to flogging being abolished.
While we are on matters military
it is worth mentioning the War Memoial opposite the church. The
sculpture of a soldier was unveiled in 1918 and now commerates
local people who died in two world wars. The church, war memorial
and nearby local pubs do mean that Heston, more than most other
places around here, has managed to retain something of its old
village atmosphere.
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Cranford Park
| You wouldn't think there could possibly be anything
of interest between the M4 and Heathrow airport, least of all
a park that does a passable impression of being in the middle
of the country (if you ignore the aeroplanes and roar of traffic!)
If you enter via Cranford's Avenue park and take the footbridge
over the river Crane, this is the view you get... |
 |
| The 16th century St Dunstan's Church is nearby.
I've been told Tony Hancock is buried here. I had a quick look
around, but I couldn't find it. Nevertheless I'm sure the ghouls
among you could kill a couple of hours wandering around the graveyard. |
 |
| You can also
see the remains of the 18th century Cranford Manor, its stables,
"crinkle crankle" wall (whatever that is) and "ha-ha"
(ditto). Although there's plenty to keep you occupied for an
aftenoon here, the park is also the start of the Hillingdon trail
which will take you all the way to Harefield... if you were so
inclined to walk its whole 20 mile length. I didn't bother -
I've got research for Quaffing IV to complete |
 |
Libraries
  |
| OK libraries aren't strictly 'sights', and I'm
well aware that by including them I'm getting a little too nerdy
for comfort. But on the other hand they are an asset and deserve
to be included. The two I use (Heston and the Treaty Centre)
are both bright and airy and the people who work there are genuinely
helpful. The bloke who works in the 'local history' section in
the main Hounslow library (believe it or not, I've used it for
research for this site...!) is genuinely enthusiastic and pleased
to help. Hounslow library offers free internet access as well
as the usual papers, magazines and CD/DVD rental. The libraries'
catalogues are now online so you can reserve books and extend
loans online. I started using it recently and it works a treat.
The website is at www.hounslowlibraries.org |
Just east of
Hounlow is the Waterman's Arts Centre - they have a theatre,
live music and a cinema that shows the sort of films you'll never
see at Feltham Cineworld.
I intend to
revisit Syon House soon so I can do it a little more justice here.
Any comments, additions etc please let me know
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