Eastcote is a slightly odd place in that it seems to have no real centre. Two large mansions, Haydon’s Court and Eastcote House were demolished in the 1960’s/70’s but it is difficult to see how these ever provided a focal point. Flats now discreetly occupy the Haydon House parkland, and the Eastcote House estate is now open to all, with walled garden, dovecote and old coach house in car park. There is no church because originally Eastcote was in the parish of Ruislip.
To get to the garden entails a walk past a long parade of shops, having turned right on leaving the station. You might consider a bus (10-12 minute service) but in fact Field End Road soon becomes more interesting, with old houses glimpsed here and there through the trees. Shortly after Pamela Gardens are the Eastcote House Gardens (page3 & 4) which are open to the road – just walk straight up the (unsigned) grassy slope, keep going straight ahead, ignoring the River Pinn on your left, and you will soon find the pretty old walled garden, the dovecote nearly suffocated with creepers and the coachhouse (in urgent need of tlc.)
Go through the car park to busy Eastcote High Road, cross carefully and walk to the right where you will find a pub called The Case is Altered, the peculiar name being a corruption of the Spanish ‘House of Fun’.
Further along the road are several sixteenth/seventeenth-century farmhouses, etc., all facing the old estate. This was the main street in medieval times. At ‘Ramin’ (possibly another corruption – Ram Inn) walk back until you reach Forge Green by turning right into Joel Street . There is an anvil in the front garden of ‘The Forge’, a bungalow at the end of the green, but it looks a bit sad in its present location.
However, opposite is a magnificent half-timbered building –‘The Old Barn’. This is not in fact a barn but a medieval house with later additions. It was in use as a tea garden when the 1908 Olympic marathon 13th milepost was placed outside it.*In spite of its scattered layout , Eastcote is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
*Remembered because the first athlete to complete the marathon , an Italian named Dorando Pietri, was disqualified when, having collapsed in the stadium on the last lap, he was helped across the finishing line by well-meaning officials.
This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!
©DR2006