History of Brentford in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 18, 2025

Brentford is a suburban town situated in West London, England, specifically within the London Borough of Hounslow. It's located at the point where the River Brent meets the River Thames, approximately 8 miles (13 km) to the west of Charing Cross. It is primarily a residential and commercial area within the greater London area.

1900: Brentford Festival

Since 1900, the Brentford Festival, a local town fair, has been held in Brentford every September.

1904: Griffin Park Home Ground

Brentford F.C. played at Griffin Park from 1904.

1904: Brentford Public Library Opens

In 1904, the Brentford Public Library, a Carnegie library designed by Nowell Parr, opened.

1906: Construction of Saint Faith's Church Begins

Construction on Saint Faith's Church began in 1906.

1907: Construction of Saint Faith's Church Completed

Construction on Saint Faith's Church was completed in 1907.

1909: Monument Made from Old Bridge Lamps

In 1909, a monument was created from two stone pillars that formerly supported lamps on the old Brentford bridge over the Grand Union Canal.

1932: Brave New World Published

In 1932, Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World, which features Brentford's industrial status and the Great West Road, was published.

Brave New World

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1953: Syon Park House Demolished

In 1953, Syon Park House, which housed the 'Syon Park Academy' where Percy Bysshe Shelley was educated, was demolished.

1955: Monument Moved Up Ferry Lane

In 1955, the monument originally at the end of Ferry Lane was moved further up the lane after being covered in coal.

1959: Saint George Parish Amalgamated

In 1959, the parish of the nearby church of Saint George was amalgamated with Saint Paul's Church.

1959: Unconsecrated Chapel Closed

In 1959, the unconsecrated chapel that was built in 1762 was closed.

1959: Christ's Last Supper Transferred

In 1959, when Saint George's Church was closed, the painting Christ's Last Supper by Johann Zoffany was transferred to Saint Paul's Church.

1961: Saint Lawrence Church Closed

In 1961, Brentford's former parish church of Saint Lawrence was closed, its monuments were removed, and the parish was united with Saint Paul's.

1961: Saint Lawrence Parish Amalgamated

In 1961, the parish of the nearby church of Saint Lawrence was amalgamated with Saint Paul's Church.

1963: Musical Museum Moved to Chapel

In 1963, the Musical Museum moved into the closed unconsecrated chapel.

1963: London Government Act

The London Government Act was passed in 1963, setting the stage for the formation of the London Borough of Hounslow in 1965.

1965: Part of Greater London

In 1965, Brentford, historically part of Middlesex, became part of Greater London.

1965: London Borough of Hounslow Formed

In 1965, the London Borough of Hounslow was formed by merging the Municipal Borough of Brentford and Chiswick, the Municipal Borough of Heston and Isleworth, and the Feltham Urban District of Middlesex.

1992: Monument Moved to Brentford High Street

In 1992, the monument was relocated to its present site at the junction of Brentford High Street and Alexandra Road, outside the County Court.

2002: London Broncos at Griffin Park

From 2002, Griffin Park was the home of the London Broncos rugby league club.

2003: Archaeological Investigations at Syon Abbey

In 2003, archaeological investigations were conducted at Syon Abbey as part of the television series Time Team.

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2004: Syon Abbey Foundations Revealed

In 2004, further archeological investigations revealed the foundations of the abbey church at Syon Abbey.

September 2005: Broncos Leave Griffin Park

In September 2005, the London Broncos rugby league club left Griffin Park.

October 2007: London Butterfly House Closes

In October 2007, the London Butterfly House in Syon Park closed on October 28 due to the expiration of its lease.

2009: War Memorial Moved to Brentford Library

In 2009, the war memorial that stood outside the church was moved to Brentford Library.

2011: UK Census

In 2011, according to the UK census, those who ethnically identify as BAME (Black, Asian and minority Ethnic) was 33.9% in the Brentford ward and 34.2% in the Syon ward. The median age of the population was 32 years in Brentford ward and 34 years in Syon ward.