Hendon's local history
Hendon was historically a civil parish within the county of Middlesex, with evidence of Roman settlements as discovered by the Hendon and District Archaeological Society. A vast amount of area was developed into a suburb of London, with mostly town and sharing countryside with nearby Mill Hill and Edgware.
Hendon became an urban district in 1894 and in 1932 it became the Municipal Borough of Hendon. By 1965 the Municipal Borough was abolished and became a part of London Borough of Barnet.
Hendon’s claim to fame was through aviation with Hendon Aerodrome which is now the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum, and the area is closely associated with the aviator Claude Grahame-White who commercialised aeronautics.
It is apparent to see today that Hendon has a variety of modern and listed buildings, giving a good balance of tradition and modern living. The majority of properties in the area are 1930’s Victorian houses. Classical buildings include the Hendon Town Hall, the London Fire Brigade station and St. Mary’s Church, which all offer fascinating history and architecture. A new Magistrates Court complex in West Hendon is also soon to be opened and the new atrium of Middlesex University offers modern architecture to blend in with its historical counterparts.
During the years many famous people have lived or are still residing in the area, stars such as Paul Young, George Michael, and the classical composer George Fredric Handel naming but a few, along with sportsman such as Henry Cooper and Denis Compton.
There is a selection of various shopping areas along Brent Street, Vivian Avenue, the Brent Cross Shopping Centre and the busy Watford Way which will attract and tempt each one and all to the pleasures of shopping.
