Swakeleys Manor, Ickenham
Hillingdon is a white modern station perched above the A40, reminiscent of the Docklands Light Railway. Take the exit marked 'Long Lane' then turn left, ignoring the Hillingdon Trail sign on the right, Go second left down Swakeleys Drive . After about five minutes you will see the grand iron gates to Swakeleys. To the left of these is a smaller gate that should be open.* Follow the narrow path that skirts round the estate (its current route is not marked on the map) Soon you will have an excellent view of the magnificent seventeenth century Swakeleys **. Next the path goes through a copse - a lake can be glimpsed through the trees on the left. At the end of the trees is the park with a good adventure-type playground. Go left to see more of the lake (this way also leads back to Swakeleys Drive). If you want to go to Ickenham turn right to leave the park, left down Milton Road then right at The Avenue. The ‘Private Road’ sign only means it is unadopted by the Council, not that you can’t go down it. No footpaths. This was the original approach to the Big House. In a few minutes you will reach Swakeleys Road. Turning right will bring you to the centre of Ickenham.
MAP
© DR2007
* If not , continue walking until you get to another entrance to the park a little further on.
** for more details see entry for ICKENHAM
Hillingdon 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!