The London Borough of Brent was created in 1965 from the old boroughs of Wembley and Willesden, in the old county of Middlesex. Its history includes the manor of 'Wellesdone' in the Domesday Book, Kilburn Priory and its inns, the Kilburn wells, railways and Metro-land, the British Empire Exhibition of 1924, factories making cars, biscuits and power tools, a church moved from central London to Kingsbury, reggae in Harlesden and the new Wembley Stadium with its arch.
Oldest first
Newest first
🏰
Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1066–1086
🏰
The manor of Kingsbury
By 1066 the manor of Kingsbury was held by Wlward White, a thegn of the Confessor. It passed to Ernulf of Hesdin, and by the Domesday survey of 1086 Ernulf's manor in Kingsbury was held by Albold as lord.
From the records: “By 1066 it probably formed part of the manor of Kingsbury, which was then held by Wlward White, a thegn of the Confessor, and passed from him to Ernulf of Hesdin who died in 1097 and his lands passed to the family of Walter of Salisbury.”
1086
📜
Wellesdone
The Domesday Book of 1086 records the manor of Willesden as Wellesdone. Maps in the 1800s, such as the first Ordnance Survey maps, show the town as Wilsdon.
From the records: “The Domesday Book of 1086 records the manor as Wellesdone.”
1134
🙏
A hermit by the river
In the reign of Henry I (1100–1135), a hermit called Godwyn built his hermitage by the Kilburn river. A priory was built on the site, and the name Kilburn was first recorded in 1134 as Cuneburna. The hermitage and the priory both took their name from the river.
From the records: “The name "Kilburn" was first recorded in 1134 as Cuneburna, referring to the priory which had been built on the site of the cell of a hermit known as Godwyn.”
1444
🍺
The Red Lion
The priory's lands included a mansion and a guesthouse. The guesthouse may have been the start of the Red Lion pub, which is thought to have been founded in 1444.
From the records: “The priory lands included a mansion and a hostium (a guesthouse), which may have been the origin of the Red Lion pub, thought to have been founded in 1444.”
👑
Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1536–37
👑
The priory is closed
Henry VIII's government closed Kilburn Priory in 1536–37. Nothing of it remains today except the name of Abbey Road in nearby St John's Wood, named from a track that once led to the priory.
From the records: “Henry VIII's administration dissolved the priory in 1536–37, and nothing remains of it today except the name of Abbey Road (in nearby St John's Wood), named from a track which once led to the priory.”
🎩
Georgians
1714 – 1837
1714
💧
Kilburn Wells
Taking 'medicinal waters' was in fashion in the 1700s. In 1714 a well of chalybeate water (water with iron in it) was found near the Bell Inn, and gardens and a fine room were built. In the 1800s the wells declined, but Kilburn Wells stayed popular as a tea garden.
From the records: “The fashion for taking "medicinal waters" in the 18th century came to Kilburn when a well of chalybeate waters (water impregnated with iron) was discovered near the Bell Inn in 1714.”
1722
🍻
The Barley Mow
The Barley Mow pub was recorded in 1722. It was the earliest long-lasting pub in Wembley.
From the records: “The former Barley Mow pub was recorded in 1722 thus was the earliest long-lasting pub of Wembley.”
By 1818
🌿
Designing Wembley Park
The Page family were lords of the manor of Wembley for several centuries. They asked the landscape gardener Humphry Repton (1752–1818) to design what is now Wembley Park.
From the records: “The Page family continued as lords of the manor of Wembley for several centuries and eventually commissioned Humphry Repton (1752–1818) the landscape gardener to design what is now Wembley Park.”
🚂
Victorians
1837 – 1901
1844
🔤
How to spell Willesden
When the London and Birmingham Railway opened a local station in 1844, it used the spelling 'Willesden'. That is the spelling used today.
From the records: “The current spelling was adopted by the London and Birmingham Railway in 1844, when they opened a local station.”
1846
⛪
Wembley's first church
In 1843 Anne and Frances Copland inherited Sudbury Lodge and its lands. They gave a plot for a church to serve the southern part of Harrow parish. Wembley's earliest church, St John the Evangelist, dates from 1846, the year Wembley became a parish.
From the records: “Anne and Frances Copland, who in 1843 inherited Sudbury Lodge and its lands, gave a plot for a church to serve the southern part of Harrow parish.”
1852
🚉
Trains reach Kilburn
Railways came to Kilburn in 1852, when the London & North Western Railway opened Kilburn & Maida Vale station (today's Kilburn High Road station). Two stations followed in the Brondesbury area, in 1860 and 1879.
From the records: “The railways were first introduced to Kilburn in 1852 when the London & North Western Railway opened Kilburn & Maida Vale station (today's Kilburn High Road railway station), followed by two stations opened in the Brondesbury area of Kilburn by the Hampstead Junction Railway (1860) and the Metropolitan Railway (1879).”
1863
⚽
A founder of the FA
One of the 12 founder members of the Football Association was formed in Kilburn in 1863.
From the records: “One of the 12 founder members of the Football Association was formed in Kilburn in 1863.”
1871
🏠
Harlesden fills with houses
Sewerage reached Harlesden in 1871, and soon houses were being built. From late Victorian times until the 1930s housing spread across the area, and Harlesden became part of the London conurbation.
From the records: “Sewerage arrived here in 1871 and soon houses were being built.”
1879
🚂
Willesden Green station
The Metropolitan Railway opened Willesden Green station in 1879. The area owes much of its development to the station and to Metro-land.
From the records: “Willesden Green station was opened by the Metropolitan Railway in 1879; the area owes much of its development to it and to Metro-land.”
1888
🕰️
The jubilee clock
Harlesden's jubilee clock was put up in 1888 to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. It was renovated in 1997.
From the records: “Harlesden's jubilee clock was erected in 1888 which commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.”
1894
🎡
Pleasure grounds at Wembley Park
When the Metropolitan Railway reached Wembley Park in 1894, the estate was mostly pleasure grounds. That year an urban district called Wembley was created, covering the parishes of Kingsbury and Wembley.
From the records: “The estate of Wembley Park was largely pleasure grounds when the Metropolitan Railway reached this part in 1894.”
1900
🗳️
Kingsbury goes it alone
In 1900 Kingsbury left the Wembley Urban District and became an urban district of its own, with six councillors. The new council was soon involved in controversy, and in 1906 it failed to make a rate or meet its financial commitments. In 1934 it was merged back into Wembley.
From the records: “In 1900 Kingsbury became a separate urban district with six councillors.”
✈️
The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1906
🚗
Iris cars
In 1904 Lucien Legros and Guy Knowles set up Legros & Knowles Ltd at Willesden Junction to build and repair vehicles. From 1906 the firm made a British car brand called the Iris in Willesden.
From the records: “The Iris was a British car brand that was manufactured from 1906 by Legros & Knowles Ltd in Willesden.”
1906
🚆
Wembley Hill station
In 1905 the Great Central Railway opened a new route for fast express trains. From March 1906 local trains ran from London Marylebone, with new stations including Wembley Hill, next to the future site of Wembley Stadium. Since 1987 the station has been called Wembley Stadium.
From the records: “In November 1905, the Great Central Railway (now, in this section, part of the Chiltern Main Line) opened a new route for fast expresses that by-passed the congested Metropolitan Railway tracks.”
1907
🎭
Trams and a theatre
Electric trams came to Harlesden in 1907. That year the Willesden Hippodrome Theatre opened, designed by the theatre architect Frank Matcham. It was destroyed by bombing in 1940.
From the records: “As well as train links, Harlesden had a frequent horse-drawn omnibus service to Paddington as early as 1890, with Electric trams caming to Harlesden in 1907.”
1910
🍪
Biscuits and beans
Large factories in Harlesden and nearby Park Royal included McVitie & Price from 1910 and Heinz from 1919. The McVitie & Price factory became the largest biscuit factory in the western world, with 2,600 workers by 1978.
From the records: “Mainly after World War I, one of Europe's biggest industrial estates was constructed at nearby Park Royal, and large factories there and within Harlesden included McVitie & Price (later United Biscuits) from 1910, and Heinz from 1919.”
During the war
✈️
Aircraft at Kingsbury
During the war an aircraft industry grew up in the part of Kingsbury next to Hendon aerodrome. The Kingsbury Works site went on making vehicles until it closed in 1979.
From the records: “An aircraft industry was established in the part of Kingsbury adjacent to Hendon aerodrome during the war, while the road network was improved to cater for the British Empire Exhibition in nearby Wembley in 1924.”
1923
🔬
Wembley's factories
Wembley had many factories, including Glacier Metals (bearings), Wolf Power Tools, Sunbeam Electrical Appliances and GEC. GEC's research laboratories, opened in 1923, were one of the first of their type in the UK. Much of this industry closed in the 1980s.
From the records: “Wembley, in common with much of northwest London, had an extensive manufacturing industry, but much of it closed in the 1980s.”
1923
🏆
The first Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium opened for the FA Cup Final in April 1923. It stayed open for 77 years, until it closed for rebuilding in October 2000.
From the records: “Local passenger services from London Marylebone were added from March 1906, when new stations were opened, including 'Wembley Hill', next to what later became the site of Wembley Stadium – the national stadium of English sport – which opened for the FA Cup Final of April 1923, remaining open for 77 years until it closed for reconstruction in October 2000.”
1924–25
🎪
The British Empire Exhibition
Wembley Park hosted the British Empire Exhibition of 1924–1925. It led to new landmarks, including the Empire Stadium, later known as Wembley Stadium. Roads in nearby Kingsbury were improved for the exhibition.
From the records: “It was chosen to host the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, resulting in the development of landmarks including the Empire Stadium, later known as Wembley Stadium, which became an iconic football stadium.”
1929
🎞️
The Majestic
The Majestic Theatre opened in Wembley in 1929 and later became the Odeon Wembley cinema. It closed in 1961 and was demolished, and a C&A store was built in its place.
From the records: “In 1929 the Majestic Theatre was opened, later becoming Odeon Wembley cinema.”
1921–1931
📈
Kingsbury grows
Between 1921 and 1931 Kingsbury's population went up by 796%. In 1901 it had just 140 lived-in houses; by 1931 it had 3,937. In Slough Lane and Buck Lane there are timbered houses from the 1920s designed by Ernest Trowbridge.
From the records: “The number of inhabited houses in the civil parish increased from just 140 in 1901 to 3,937 in 1931.”
1933
🏛️
Two new boroughs
Willesden became a municipal borough in 1933, and Wembley did the same in 1937.
From the records: “Willesden was incorporated to become a municipal borough in 1933, as was Wembley in 1937.”
1933–34
⛪
The church that moved
As Kingsbury grew, its parish church of 1884 became too small. A church built in Wells Street in central London in 1847, to designs by Samuel Daukes, was no longer much used there. It was taken down, moved and rebuilt in its entirety in Kingsbury in 1933–34. Church Lane leads to it: St Andrew's parish church.
From the records: “Population growth meant the existing parish church, built in 1884, dedicated to the Holy Innocents, and adjacent to the more historic Old St Andrew's church, became too small.”
1934
🏊
The Empire Pool
The Empire Pool was built in 1934 for the 2nd Empire Games. Today it is a Grade II-listed concert venue near Wembley Stadium.
From the records: “About half of the stadium's width northwest is the SSE Arena, a Grade II-listed concert venue built in 1934 as the Empire Pool, a multi-use facility built for the 2nd Empire Games and much renovated.”
1937
🎬
The Gaumont State
The Gaumont State Cinema on Kilburn High Road, designed by George Coles, opened in 1937. It is a Grade II* listed Art Deco building.
From the records: “A landmark in Kilburn High Road is the Grade II* listed Art Deco Gaumont State Cinema, designed by George Coles and opened in 1937.”
1939
🕍
A synagogue in Kingsbury
A Jewish congregation linked to the United Synagogue is first recorded in Kingsbury in 1939. In 1942 Eden Lodge at Kingsbury Green was registered for worship, and in 1954 it became Kingsbury district synagogue.
From the records: “A congregation of Jews affiliated to the United Synagogue is first recorded in Kingsbury in 1939.”
🏙️
Modern times
Since 1945
1950s–1960s
🤝
New neighbours
In the 1950s, moving coal from Durham and steel from Sheffield became a main part of Harlesden's economy, with many Irish and Jamaican workers. From 1960 migrants from the Caribbean and the Indian subcontinent settled in Willesden.
From the records: “In the 1950s, the transport of coal from Durham and steel from Sheffield became a main contributor to the local economy, these industries employed a mass of labour from Irish and Jamaican immigrants.”
1963
🥢
The Kuo Yuan
From 1963 Willesden was home to the Kuo Yuan, the first Chinese restaurant in Britain to serve Pekinese dishes.
From the records: “Additionally, from 1963 it was the site of the Kuo Yuan, the first Chinese restaurant to serve Pekinese dishes in Britain.”
1965
🗺️
The London Borough of Brent
The London Borough of Brent was created in 1965, joining the Municipal Borough of Wembley and the Municipal Borough of Willesden.
From the records: “The London Borough of Brent was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the combined area of the former Municipal Borough of Wembley and the Municipal Borough of Willesden.”
1969
🎸
Reggae in Harlesden
The Cimarons, England's first home-grown reggae roots band, was formed in 1969 at Tavistock community centre in Harlesden. In the mid-1970s and 1980s dozens of record shops filled Church Road, Craven Park Road and the High Street. In 2020 two were still open on Craven Park Road.
From the records: “The Cimarons, England's first home-grown reggae roots band, was formed in 1969 at Tavistock community centre in Harlesden.”
1970
💿
Orbitone Records
In 1970 Sonny Roberts opened the first specialist record shop, Orbitone Records. In the mid-1970s it became the hub for producing, licensing and distributing soca music.
From the records: “In 1970, Sonny Roberts established the first specialist record shop called Orbitone Records, retailing various genres of music but in the mid 1970s became the hub premises for producing, licensing and distributing soca music.”
1980
🎭
The Tricycle Theatre
The Tricycle Theatre opened in Kilburn in 1980 in a converted Foresters' Hall. Under Nicolas Kent (1984–2012) it became known for political plays and for plays about the lives of local Irish, Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities. In April 2018 it was renamed the Kiln.
From the records: “It was opened in 1980 as the Tricycle Theatre in a converted Foresters' Hall, and was renamed the Kiln in April 2018.”
1993
🕌
Central Mosque Wembley
The former St Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Ealing Road was built in 1904. It had been empty for fifteen years when it was bought to become Central Mosque Wembley, and in 1993 it was listed Grade II.
From the records: “Apart from Wembley's earliest church, which is to St John the Evangelist of 1846 (see above), another listed building is the former Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Ealing Road.”
2007
🏟️
The new Wembley Stadium
The first Wembley Stadium closed in October 2000 and was demolished in 2003. After years of debate, funding problems and building delays, the new stadium with its arch opened in March 2007. It is home to the England national football team and has the largest capacity in the country.
From the records: “The Original Wembley Stadium closed in October 2000 and was demolished in 2003.”