RAYNERS LANE Metropolitan (Uxbridge) and Piccadilly Line

Metro-land. . ‘Rural tradition with civilised progress’





















Although the railway came to this area in 1906, it was not until the 1930’s that building development changed its character from thinly populated rural parish to modern suburb. Metropolitan Railway County Estates (hence ‘Metro-land’) advertised the new houses in colourful brochures with uplifting slogans extolling the benefits of living within commuting distance of London while being surrounded by healthy countryside.

A fine example of ‘civilised progress’ is the triple fronted former Ace cinema in Alexander Avenue. This is a perfectly proportioned Art Deco building (1936 F.E. Bromige) with a stylised elephant’s trunk down the middle. It is now a Zoroastrian Centre, and happily in excellent condition – a sight to gladden the heart when so much cinema architecture has been neglected. The striking International style brick-built shopping parades just before the Centre are interesting rather than beautiful.

As for 'rural tradition’, the nearest to that is provided by a stroll by the Yeading Brook which is a short distance from the Underground. To get to this stream turn right as you come out of the station (you will see the former cinema on the other side of road). Then take the first left, High Worple. Walk to the end of this not very inspiring residential road towards the trees ahead. At the roundabout go straight ahead past some metal fencing and then through a gate. Almost immediately there is a sign for Roxbourne Park. Go left here. There’s a steep slope for a couple of metres and it might be muddy. (To avoid the slope, instead of turning left, go straight ahead up the tarmac path and follow the brook.)

A brief stroll through woodland brings you to a field with a children’s playground (all concrete – rather uninviting). To the right of this is a path over the brook. Going over this will bring you to more grassland. Turn left for a longer walk (click here for complete route, but be warned that the Ickenham end may well be impassable – I had to give up) or turn to the right and keep going with the water on your right. The bank here is very steep, so you are looking down on the brook. Eventually at a conventional playground the path forks. Go right here, over the brook again and retrace your steps to the Tube.

MAP

Rayners Lane 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!

© DR2008