Auction House London’s Area Guide to Uxbridge
Auction House London has a number of interesting properties listed for auction throughout the city and surrounding areas. Our property auction experts are knowledgeable about the different areas of London such as Uxbridge, and are sharing a series of London area guides to help investors make more informed decisions.
This latest addition to the Auction House London series takes us to the suburban town of Uxbridge, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. Uxbridge has long been a significant local commercial centre and has also been the site of significant historical events. With good transport links and plenty of residential property and land opportunities, Uxbridge has a lot of potential for buyers and investors.
Where is Uxbridge?
Uxbridge is in the far west of Greater London, over fifteen miles west-northwest of Charing Cross. To the north-east of Uxbridge lies Ickenham, Ruislip, and Northolt, and to the south-east lies Hayes and Southall. To the immediate west of Uxbridge is Slough and the wider county of Berkshire, where you can find Windsor Castle, Eton College, and the Ascot racecourse.
Uxbridge tube station is served by both the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines, and there are numerous bus routes throughout the town. For travel by road, the centre of Uxbridge is connected to the Swakeleys Roundabout junction of the A40 via the B483 road, and other major roads connect the town to the surrounding areas.
The history of Uxbridge
Uxbridge’s name derives from a Seventh Century Saxon tribe known as the Wixan, who were originally from Lincolnshire. They settled in the area, clearing much of the woodland and building a bridge which became known as Wixan’s Bridge, which evolved over time into the name we use today.
The town played an important role during the English Civil War in the 17th century, hosting unsuccessful negotiations between King Charles I and the rebellious Parliament. By the end of that century, Uxbridge had become one of the most important market towns in the area, although the hustle would decline until the opening of the Metropolitan line in the early 19th century. That direct link into London revitalised the area, which suffered another setback when it was bombed during World War II.
Uxbridge been on the up ever since though, with the development of the Chimes shopping centre and a new and rather impressive Civic Centre, as well as the refurbished and expanded lido now known as the Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex.
What does the architecture and property look like in Uxbridge?
There are plenty of residential areas around Uxbridge despite the commercial activity the town is known for. For example, this second floor two bedroom flat situated within a purpose-built block on Park Road is close to local shops and amenities, which was sold recently in our July Auction
For land opportunities in Uxbridge, there is this vacant freehold development site measuring approximately 333 square metres, located adjacent to 1 Russet Close. The plot is offered with planning permission for construction of two semi-detached townhouses.
There are also plenty of opportunities in nearby areas, such as this three bedroom semi detached house on Oxford Drive in neighbouring Ruislip which also sold in our July auction.
What are the amenities like in Uxbridge?
Being something of a commercial centre, Uxbridge has a lot to offer in the form of amenities. There is a lot of shopping to be had in and around the town centre, and residents are never far from shops that serve the community. There are cafes and pubs, fast food outlets and restaurants offering dishes from around the world including Italian, Chinese and Indian, as well as plenty of good old Sunday Roasts, steaks, and Full English Breakfasts.
Open spaces in Uxbridge
Uxbridge Common in the north of Uxbridge covers five acres and takes the form of a traditional village common, in that it includes a pond, a ditch network and a border of trees. It is located adjacent to the Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex and the Hillingdon Athletics Stadium.
There is Hillingdon Court Park in the west of Uxbridge, where there are lots of activities to enjoy, including tennis courts, an outdoor gym, a bowling green and two junior-sized football pitches. You can also find a sports pavilion, formal gardens and a children’s playground.
The Grand Union Canal offers plenty of interesting walks to enjoy, and the River Pinn also has a few spots where you can enjoy nature despite the proximity of the town.
What are the schools like in Uxbridge?
There are quite a few primary schools in Uxbridge, including Hermitage Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Whitehall Infant School and Whitehall Junior School. There is also Uxbridge High School which is the main comprehensive secondary school.
For higher education, there is Brunel University, founded by the renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The main campus of Uxbridge College is also in the town.
Auction House London prides itself on having local knowledge about diverse areas of the capital. If you have questions about Uxbridge or any other London area or suburb, please contact our team of property auction professionals. If you’re looking to buy property in London at an auction, browse through the lots listed in our forthcoming auction. Or, if you have a property you want to sell in London or the surrounding areas, why not see how much it could be worth in an auction with a free valuation by Auction House London.