Living in Hounslow

Hounslow is a west London borough stretching from Chiswick, beside the Thames, to Feltham and the edge of Heathrow. It is extremely varied: Chiswick is one of west London's most affluent neighbourhoods, while Hounslow town centre, Feltham and Cranford are busier, more diverse and more affordable, with large South Asian communities.

Heathrow lies just beyond the borough's western boundary, and flight paths pass over much of the borough, particularly Hounslow and Isleworth. The airport is a major employer, and many residents work there or in nearby logistics and hospitality businesses.

The borough has a surprising amount of heritage and green space. Syon Park, with its grand house, faces Kew Gardens across the river; Osterley Park, owned by the National Trust, has a Georgian mansion and large parkland; Chiswick House and Hogarth's House are in Chiswick; and Gunnersbury Park lies on the border with Ealing. The Great West Road is lined with art deco factories from the 1930s, and Brentford, beside the Thames, has become home to Brentford FC's stadium and new riverside housing.

The Piccadilly line runs through Hounslow and Osterley towards Heathrow, the District line serves Chiswick, and South Western Railway trains serve Brentford, Isleworth, Hounslow and Feltham. Journeys to central London are generally reasonable from Chiswick and Brentford but longer from the western suburbs. Rents fall sharply from east to west: Chiswick is among the dearer places in west London, while Hounslow and Feltham offer some of the lowest rents on this side of the city, especially attractive to anyone working at the airport.