Brentford - a wealth of history
Known in Anglo-Saxon times as Brentforda or Bregentforda, Brentford owes its name to the Celtic Goddess, Brigantia and to its position as a fording point on the River Brent.

A wealth of archaeological finds suggests that the settlement at Brentford predates the Roman occupation of London and, indeed the founding of London itself. The artefacts indicate that the town was a meeting point for pre-Romanic tribes whose rituals included the ceremonial casting of weapons into the river!

For many centuries, the main route to the south-west passed through Brentford and, even today, the M4 passes approximately a mile north of the original main road. It is believed that Julius Caesar crossed the Thames here during the Roman invasion of Britain , in the early 11 th century, the invading King Canute battled with Edmund Ironsides at Brentford and, during the English Civil War, the Cavaliers met the Roundheads at The Battle of Brentford.

By the end of the 18th century, Brentford began to develop as an industrial town, with numerous breweries and malt houses whilst the 19 th century brought the railway and marked the end of Brentford’s day as a coaching town. The canal, constructed in the 18 th century, was still busy with traffic and the covered dock was designed by none other than Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

With the closing of the docks in 1964, Brentford went into decline and it wasn’t until 20 years late, that the lights of Brentford began to shine again, with an influx of industry, urban regeneration and exciting new housing developments. Today, Brentford is proud, not only of its long history but its exciting present and promising future.