Longford, London

Longford
Bridge over the River Colne
Longford  Longford shown within Greater London
OS grid reference	TQ045765
- Charing Cross	15.8 mi (25.4 km)  E
London borough	Hillingdon
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WEST DRAYTON
Postcode district	UB7
Dialling code	01753
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
EU Parliament	London
UK Parliament	Hayes and Harlington
London Assembly	Ealing and Hillingdon
List of places: UK • England • London

Longford is a village immediately west of London Heathrow Airport in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Longford is located 15.8 miles (25.4 km) west of Charing Cross.

Etymology

The name Longford derives from the two words "long" and "ford", after the ford which extends from the first bridge at Harmondsworth almost to Colnbrook.

History

The village developed on the site of the (long) ford on the River Colne, which was an important crossing point for travellers on the old Bath Road. Longford may be founded on a small Saxon settlement dating from the 5th to 7th century AD. Historic buildings survive from the medieval and post-medieval period. Limited evidence survives of Roman occupation, though archaeological excavations have revealed two brooches of Roman date.

Geography

Longford village is located on the Bath Road, to the south of the M4, and just north of the Heathrow Western Perimeter Road. The area is characterized by an historic village core. Despite its close proximity to the A4, the Stanwell Moor Road and Heathrow Airport, Longford retains its village character.

Economy

The village is home to a number of businesses, including: McDonald's; Littlebrook Nursery; Thistle Hotel, Heathrow; and Abbey Business Centres.

References

Philip Sherwood, History and Guide to Harlington and Harmondsworth (Harlington: PT Sherwood, 2002)

External links

• This is Longford (Longford Residents Association)
• Road Map
• Philip Sherwood's local history book