Located at the junction of the River Brent and the River Thames, Brentford is a commuter town in West London. In 1855, it became a major trans-shipment point following the building of the Brentford Dock, with many of its old warehouses and industrial sites now occupied by shops, galleries and museums.
Things to do in Brentford
On the site of the old Kew Bridge Pumping Station is the London Museum of Water & Steam, which is home to the largest collection of working Cornish cycle beam engines in the world. Marvel at the vintage equipment dating from 1820 to 1910 before enjoying a ride on the narrow-gauge railway pulled by a rotating roster of steam locomotives.
Occupying a Grade I-listed building in the south-west corner of Brentford is Syon House, one of the residences of the Duke of Northumberland. Its eclectic interior was designed in the 1760s by the Neoclassical architect Robert Adam, with influences from Roman antiquity, Romantic and Baroque styles. In the surrounding park is a magnificent conservatory designed by Charles Fowler and a tidal meadow planted with rare trees.
Just across the River Thames from Brentford is the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which is home to one of the largest and most diverse botanical collections in the world. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features magnificent conservatories and ornamental buildings that include the Great Pagoda and Queen Charlotte’s Cottage. Stroll along the Sackler Crossing before experiencing a towering woodland canopy on the Treetop Walkway.
Getting around Brentford
Brentford is a 25-minute drive from the centre of London and 15 minutes from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Brentford railway station while Underground services stop at Boston Manor. A network of buses travels throughout Brentford.