Just Some Houses by the A40

What is Northolt? Where is Northolt? Why is Northolt?

Well, it's a suburb far out in west West (barely) London. To many people on their way to Oxford or Wales, it's just some houses by the A40, and that is probably a pretty accurate description, but there is so much more... flats, tower blocks, bungalows.

Some History

In 1086 Northolt appeared in the Domesday Book as Northala, and I'd love to say many exciting things happened in the time between then and now, but the area was predominantly farmland until the mid-Twentieth Century. The St Mary the Virgin Church and the Manor House were built in the Fourteenth Century. Sadly the Manor House is no longer there. Around 1876 the land was cultivated for hay (you're welcome for that fun fact).

In 1929 a racecourse for pony racing was built in Northolt Park. For a while, Northolt was famous for this. This is also no longer there, however, with a housing estate replacing it between 1951 and 1955 to help relieve housing shortages in the borough. (Ealing Council, 2022)

Population Today

In 1921 there were only 904 residents; by 1961, however, this number had grown to 26,000 (Ealing Council, 2022). Today Northolt is home to 30,214 people, a diverse population of many cultures, ethnicities and religions. The three main ethnic groups are white (40-50%), Asian (20-30%) and Black (10-20%) (City Population, 2021).

And maybe this is the charm of the place, not an impressive variety of locations to see or go and spend money in, but the many different people living in the many houses? A community of coexistence and collaboration between people with families and connections from all over the world. Simply looking out of my window, I've witnessed Diwali fireworks, a Church group's Easter celebrations and lanterns set off for the summer solstice. Most suburbs are composed of rows of near-identical housing, it's not until residents begin to occupy the public spaces, that the places become interesting.

References:

City Population (2021) Northolt Mandeville. Available at: https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/london/wards/ealing/E05000184__northolt_mandevill/ (Accessed: 7 October 2021).

City Population (2021) Northolt West End. Available at: https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/london/wards/ealing/E05000185__northolt_west_end/ (Accessed: 7 October 2021).

Ealing Council (2022) Northolt local history. Available at:https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201130/area_history/858/northolt_local_history/1 (Accessed: 7 October 2021).