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West London Guide

Uxbridge: History, Attractions and Ambiance

Canals, wartime history, shopping, university life and an outer London gateway.

Uxbridge is a market town on London's western edge, close to Heathrow. It played a part in the English Civil War and in the Battle of Britain.

Civil War talks and a wartime bunker

In 1645, Royalist and Parliamentary commissioners met in Uxbridge to try to negotiate an end to the English Civil War. The meeting place, later known as the Treaty House, still stands.

Three centuries later, Uxbridge was home to the operations room of No. 11 Group of RAF Fighter Command, which directed much of the defence of London and the south-east during the Battle of Britain. The Battle of Britain Bunker is now a museum. Today Uxbridge is a busy shopping town, home to Brunel University London, and the Grand Union Canal and Colne Valley run along its western edge.

What to see

  • Battle of Britain Bunker – the underground operations room.
  • Grand Union Canal – towpath walks and boats.
  • Colne Valley Regional Park – lakes and nature reserves.
  • Uxbridge town centre – shopping and markets.

Eating and atmosphere

The town centre has a mix of high-street chains, cafés and pubs, and canal-side pubs nearby are popular in summer.

A suggested half day

Visit the Battle of Britain Bunker in the morning, have lunch in town, then walk along the Grand Union Canal or into the Colne Valley.

Getting there

Uxbridge station is the terminus of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines. The A40 and M25 are close by.

Getting there with Mason & Green

Heathrow is usually a short drive. We also provide transfers for Brunel University students and families, including airport collections at the start of term.

See our Heathrow Airport transfers and student transfers pages.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Battle of Britain Bunker?

Yes. It is a museum with set opening times. Check before you visit.

How close is Uxbridge to Heathrow?

It is usually a short drive.

Do you provide transfers for Brunel students?

Yes. We provide airport and term-time transfers for students and families.

About the author: Sunil Thakore founded Mason & Green, a TfL-licensed London private hire operator, in 2011. The company is now owned and run by his sons, Neal and Dev Thakore. Sunil writes practical guidance based on the company’s day-to-day experience with airport, cruise-port, station, family and chauffeur journeys. View author profile

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