About Ealing

History of Ealing

Things to do and see in Ealing

History

 According to Ealing Council (which is probably a pretty good source!), Ealing     derives its name from "Gillingas", meaning "the people of Gilla", who may have been Anglo Saxon settlers. Over the centuries, the name changed and Ealing has been known as "Yealing", "Zelling", "Eling" until Ealing became standard in the nineteenth century.

The first census records for Ealing exist for Ealing Village in 1598 (428 residents!). Yet St Mary's church dates back to the 12th century....well there has been something on that site since Norman times (as told by excavations in the 19th century).

St Mary's Church, St Mary's Road

Just over 100 years ago Ealing was surrounded by lush green fields, it took the arrival of the Great Western Railway in  1838 bring about the major changes that started to create the Ealing we know today. In 1888 an new town hall was built to signify the expansion of the area, which had now become a "town".  Becoming a town meant that roads and schools had to be built, many of these still exist today. At present, Ealing is a "borough" of London rather than a separate town on the outskirts of London.

This holiday house is located in West Ealing, which has a very different feel to central Ealing. There has been a hamlet called West Ealing since 1234, the name being changed to Ealing Dean for a while. Ealing Dean, in fact is still an area in West Ealing over by Walpole Park. In the 1800's Ealing Dean  used to hold regular donkey races  on Jackass common (now Dean Gardens). But these were stopped in 1880 because of complaints about the "evil" they encouraged!!!

West Ealing was an area of predominantly market gardens and orchards. There is an old fruit packing warehouse on the corner of Northfield Road and Northcroft Road, which is still standing (about 7/8 mins walk from the house).

The packing Warehouse, Northcroft Road

West Ealing is "split" by the Uxbridge Road (West Ealing Broadway). The North Side  being magnificent and lofty red brick houses, many of which sell for over one million pounds. Of particular Beauty is the Parish of St Stephens which is known for its beautiful red brick, Edwardian houses and St Stephens Church.The architecture here is part of the St Stephens conservation area . The Avenue is the premier road of the St Stephens Parish. The lower end is about 1/2 mile from the house.

St Stephens church at the heart of the St Stephen's conservation area

The South side is more modest and consists of smaller Edwardian, rather attractive 2/3 bed workers cottages and more 1930's housing. The South side does however accommodate, Ealing's two glories.....that of Walpole and Lammas Park, both of which are beautiful and typical West London parks and conveniently, walking distance from the house. Both have children's playparks, which is a great way of entertaining young ones.

Lammas Park