Hillingdon
Hillingdon borough in London’s west is the location of suburbs like Uxbridge, Hayes and Ruislip. Its southern tip is dominated by Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow grew out of an early aviation business, which was taken over by the RAF during the Second World War. It opened as a civilian airport in 1946, and quickly became one of the busiest in the world.
Much of the borough was agricultural until new transportation brought change. Hayes began evolving when the Grand Union Canal opened in 1796, and brick manufacturing was one of the first industries. EMI opened a factory there in 1907, where the Beatles’ albums were pressed.
Ruislip’s transformation began with the Tube’s arrival in 1904. But several historic structures survive, including the Great Barn, built around 1280, and Ruislip Lido, developed in 1811. The role played by Uxbridge’s air force station in the Second World War is remembered at the Battle of Britain bunker museum.
Heathrow opened as a civilian airport in 1946 and quickly became one of the busiest in the world
