Like a country village in the city, Brentham Garden Suburb is a little-known architectural gem in the midst of west London. The charming and distinctive estate of more than 600 homes and green spaces in north Ealing dates back to the early twentieth-century, when the Garden City movement was growing – as a reaction against the overcrowding and squalor of many homes in the city.
Brentham’s influence on domestic architecture and town planning is out of all proportion to its size. As you walk around, you find the tree-lined streets are curved and the houses arranged in irregular groups, creating a surprising view around every corner.
Brentham also made history in another way. It was the first Garden Suburb built on ‘Co-partnership’ principles, so that residents could buy shares in their homes. Indeed, the Labour, Co-operative, Arts and Crafts, and Garden City movements are all part of the Brentham story.
In recognition of the unique appeal of this peaceful corner of London, in 1969 Brentham Garden Suburb was designated a conservation area.
Today, Brentham is home to a lively community of people who enjoy and maintain its special qualities. They have their own social and sporting facilities at the Brentham Club – once the original estate’s Institute – as well having the benefit of the nearby shops on Pitshanger Lane.
For a directory of other garden suburbs click here. Like Brentham, all were part of the Garden City movement, influenced in particular by Ebenezer Howard and Parker & Unwin.
Brentham Garden Suburb 