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London Borough of Hounslow

Coordinates: 51°28′3″N 0°21′42″W / 51.46750°N 0.36167°W / 51.46750; -0.36167
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London Borough of Hounslow
London borough
Hounslow from the air
Hounslow from the air
Coat of arms of London Borough of Hounslow
Coat of arms
Official logo of London Borough of Hounslow
Council logo
Hounslow shown within Greater London
Hounslow shown within Greater London
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Constituent countryEngland
RegionLondon
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Created1 April 1965
Admin HQHounslow
Government
 • TypeLondon borough council
 • BodyHounslow London Borough Council
 • London AssemblyNicholas Rogers AM for South West
 • MPsSeema Malhotra
Ruth Cadbury
Area
 • Total
21.61 sq mi (55.98 km2)
 • Rank237th (of 296)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
290,488
 • Rank54th (of 296)
 • Density13,000/sq mi (5,200/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[1]
 • Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[1]
 • Religion
List
Time zoneUTC (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
Postcodes
TW, W
Area code020
ISO 3166 codeGB-HNS
ONS code00AT
GSS codeE09000018
PoliceMetropolitan Police
Websitehttp://www.hounslow.gov.uk/

The London Borough of Hounslow (/ˈhaʊnzloʊ/ ⓘ HOWNZ-loh) is a London borough in west London, England, forming part of Outer London. It is governed by Hounslow London Borough Council.

The borough stretches from near Central London in the east (Chiswick) to the border with Surrey in the west (Feltham and Bedfont), covering five major towns: Chiswick (W4), Brentford (TW8), Isleworth (TW7), Hounslow (TW3, TW4, TW5) and Feltham (TW13, TW14); it borders the boroughs of Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Hillingdon, in addition to the Spelthorne district of Surrey.

The borough is home to the London Museum of Water & Steam and the attractions of Osterley Park, Gunnersbury Park, Syon House, and Chiswick House. Moreover, landmarks straddling the border of Hounslow include; Twickenham Stadium and London Heathrow Airport in the London Boroughs of Richmond-upon-Thames and Hillingdon respectively.

Toponymy

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The town of Hounslow, which has existed since the 13th century, is located at the centre of the Borough of Hounslow. The name Hounslow means 'Hund's mound'; the personal name Hund is followed by the Old English hlaew meaning mound or barrow. (The mound may have been his burial place.) It was recorded in the Domesday Book as Honeslaw.[2]

History

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The borough was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the combined area of the former Municipal Borough of Brentford and Chiswick, the Municipal Borough of Heston and Isleworth and Feltham Urban District. The area was transferred from Middlesex to Greater London to become one of the 32 London Boroughs. The new borough was named Hounslow after the town at the centre of the new borough.[3] The old Heston and Isleworth district had nearly been renamed Hounslow in 1927; a large majority of voters in a referendum had supported the change of name, but it was vetoed by Middlesex County Council.[4][5]

The borough is an outer borough of Greater London and lies on the north bank of the River Thames. It is the site of the first stop on an important coach route to Southampton, Bath, Bristol and Exeter. The A30 Great South West Road, which runs down to Penzance in Cornwall, starts in the borough. Hounslow town developed on either side of the main Great West Road (now the A3006/A4 Bath Road ) from London to the West of England, causing a large number of inns to be built to serve the travellers. A few, such as The Bell retain their names, although the buildings have largely been replaced. The Bell marks the former junction of the coaching routes of the A314 Hanworth Road, A315 Staines Road, A3005 Lampton Road and the A3006 Bath Road. Historic milestones are preserved on the Staines Road (now re-numbered as the A315 but joining the "old" A30 again just inside the borough's western boundary)

Hounslow grew rapidly in the latter half of the 20th century due to other travel, a connection to the largest of London's airports since the 1940s, Heathrow Airport which is in the Hounslow post town but administratively in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Aviation in the area dates to the early 1900s when one of London's earliest airfields was situated on Hounslow Heath because of the extremely flat terrain. The Great West Road, which crosses the borough from Chiswick to Heathrow, at one time served nationally and globally famous manufacturers including Firestone, Gillette and Coty. As a result, the area became known as the "Golden Mile". A few of these factory sites remain today, such as Gillette Corner, and the Great West Road is still home to many prestigious names (see "famous companies" below), providing them with easy non-motorway access between Slough, London Heathrow Airport and Central London.

Geography

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Main articles: Brentford, Chiswick, Feltham, Heston, Hounslow, Isleworth, and Osterley

List of districts in Hounslow

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Main settlements (head district is located in the borough):


Although the majority of these towns are situated in the borough, many smaller settlements that comprise them are located in adjacent boroughs. Approximately a third of Chiswick – north of the London Underground (District/Piccadilly line) railway line – falls within the London Borough of Ealing. A few roads in Brentford (around Claypond Hospital) and Isleworth (south of the River Crane and around Whitton) lay within the London Boroughs of Ealing and Richmond upon Thames respectively. A significant minority of Hounslow – south of the railway and southeast of Hounslow Heath – fall within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, whilst some of Hounslow – west of the River Crane – falls within the London Borough of Hillingdon. Minor parts of Feltham fall within the Borough of Spelthorne in Surrey, meaning that these parts of the town are situated outside Greater London.

Minor settlements (minor areas partly in the borough):

Settlement

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The borough's area is approximately quarter parkland. Large areas of London's open space fall within its boundaries, including Chiswick House and Gardens, Gunnersbury Park, Syon Park, Osterley Park, Hounslow Heath, Avenue Park in Cranford, and Hanworth Park. The borough's predominant land use is mainly residential, with a large, commercial town centre of Hounslow. Other large town centres include Chiswick, Feltham and Brentford. Business is mainly focused on retail and aviation (due to the proximity of Heathrow Airport), especially in the west of the borough (Hounslow and Feltham). Parts of the Borough, including Chiswick, Turnham Green, Osterley and Old Isleworth are some of the most expensive parts of Outer London, with other areas such as Hounslow, Feltham and Heston being more affordable.

Attractions, parks and open spaces

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Main article: Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Hounslow

Major parks and recreational spaces include; Chiswick Gardens, Chiswick common, Turnham Green, Gunnersbury Park, Gunnersbury Triangle Nature reserve, Carville Hall Parks, Claypond Garden, Boston Manor Park, London Playing field, Syon Park, Osterley Park, Thornbury Park, Lampton Park, Inwood Park, Heston Sports Ground, Hounslow Heath, Avenue Park, Crane Park, Letrim Park, Hanworth Park and Bedfont Lakes Country Park. Parks that are a short distance from Hounslow's border are; Ravenscourt Park (London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham), Acton Green common, Acton Park, Ealing common, Elthorne Parkin the London Borough of Ealing, Cranford Park in the London Borough of Hillingdon, Hampton common, Fulwell Golf club, Crane Park (Whitton), Murray Park, Kew Gardens, Old Deer Park, Marble Hill Park, Richmond Park, Ham Lands, Bushy Park and Hampton Court in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames.

The River Thames forms the natural boundary between Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames. It runs through the borough at Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth. Various tributaries and dis tributaries of the Thames flow through the borough, including; The River Crane, River Brent/Grand Union Canal, Duke of Northumberland's River, Longford River and the Feltham Hill Brook to name a few.

  • River Thames at Chiswick overlooking Chiswick Bridge
    River Thames at Chiswick overlooking Chiswick Bridge
  • The Thames looking towards Brentford, Chiswick and Hammersmith, with the Brentford Towers on the left.
    The Thames looking towards Brentford, Chiswick and Hammersmith, with the Brentford Towers on the left.
  • Brentford Lock development with GlaxoSmithKline building in the background
    Brentford Lock development with GlaxoSmithKline building in the background
  • View from Chiswick, from right to left; Brentford Museum of Water and Steam pumping tower, Kew Bridge (Centre), River Thames, Brentford Towers, GSK building
    View from Chiswick, from right to left; Brentford Museum of Water and Steam pumping tower, Kew Bridge (Centre), River Thames, Brentford Towers, GSK building
  • Richmond Lock view from Isleworth
    Richmond Lock view from Isleworth
  • West End of Hounslow High Street
    West End of Hounslow High Street
  • Central section of Hounslow High Street
    Central section of Hounslow High Street
  • Back of Treaty Centre, Hounslow
    Back of Treaty Centre, Hounslow
  • Hounslow East
    Hounslow East
  • GSK building at Brentford
    GSK building at Brentford
  • River Crane at Hounslow Heath, Separating Feltham and Hounslow
    River Crane at Hounslow Heath, Separating Feltham and Hounslow
  • View from Isleworth of Twickenham Stadium
    View from Isleworth of Twickenham Stadium
  • The Centre, Feltham
    The Centre, Feltham
  • New Developments at The Centre, Feltham
    New Developments at The Centre, Feltham
  • View of the Blenhiem Centre from Hounslow Central Station
    View of the Blenhiem Centre from Hounslow Central Station

Governance

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Main article: Hounslow London Borough Council

The local authority is Hounslow Council, based at Hounslow House in Bath Road.[6]

Greater London representation

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Since 2000, for elections to the London Assembly, the borough forms part of the South West constituency.

Transport

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Air

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Hounslow abuts the perimeter of Heathrow Airport in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Plans for the expansion of Heathrow Airport are vigorously opposed by Hounslow if such plans increase or widen noise and pollution, weighed against arguments of greater employment and spending.[7]

Bridges

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Four bridges join Hounslow to London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on the south side of the Thames:

Previously, the Borough also encompassed part of Richmond Lock and Twickenham Bridge. This changed in 1994 when the adjacent areas surrounding these bridges were transferred to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

There are several bridges crossing the River Brent, Grand Union Canal, River Crane and Duke of Northumberland's River.

River

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River services between Westminster Pier and Hampton Court depart from Kew Gardens Pier just across the River Thames from Hounslow.

Road

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Major roads in the Borough include:

  • A4 Great West Road/Bath Road
  • A205 South Circular
  • A406 North Circular
  • A312 The Parkway
  • A316 Chiswick Lane/Great Chertsey Road
  • M4

Rail and London Underground

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The borough is well connected to Central London, Heathrow Airport, other London boroughs and Southeast England as a whole through various National Rail and London Underground stations. The South Western Railway serves the borough's five main towns (with additional stops at Kew Bridge and Syon Lane). London Underground District and Piccadilly lines enter the borough from Central London in the east heading either to other West and Southwest London suburbs (with the London Overground's North London Line) or towards Heathrow.

National Rail stations National Rail:

(All stations are either on the Hounslow Loop Line or Waterloo to Reading line.)

London Underground and London Overground stations London UndergroundLondon Overground:

District Line (Ealing and Richmond branches) and Piccadilly Line (Heathrow and Uxbridge branches)

District Line (Ealing branch) and Piccadilly Line (Heathrow and Uxbridge branches):

District Line and North London Line (Richmond branch):

Piccadilly line (Heathrow Branch):

*Chiswick Park, Acton Town and Hatton Cross omit the borough boundaries and are in the London Boroughs of Ealing and Hillingdon.

Travel to work

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In March 2011, the main forms of transport that residents used to travel to work were (of all residents aged 16–74):

  • driving a car or van, 26.7%;
  • bus, minibus or coach, 10.5%;
  • underground, metro, light rail, tram, 10.5%;
  • train, 5.5%;
  • on foot, 5.0%;
  • work mainly at or from home, 2.9%;
  • bicycle, 2.2%.[8]

Economy

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The borough is home to the headquarters of GlaxoSmithKline and Sky plc, both based in Brentford's 'Golden Mile' stretch of the A4 Great West Road, and several supermarket outlets once known across the globe for its cluster of factories and offices, and is currently going under extensive re developments in the form of new apartment blocks and offices. Fuller's Griffin Brewery is also in the borough, in Chiswick. Aston Martin were based in Feltham for several years before moving to Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.[9]

DHL Air UK has its head office in Hounslow.[10]

Air France-KLM's head office for United Kingdom and Ireland operations, which includes facilities for Air France and KLM, is located in Plesman House in Hatton Cross in the borough.[n 1][11] The Plesman House, outside of Terminal 4 of London Heathrow Airport, has the UK commercial team, sales team, and support team.[12] Sega Europe has its head office in Brentford.[13] Menzies Aviation has its head office by the airport in Feltham.[14][15] JCDecaux UK has its head office in Brentford.[16]

Before winding-up British Mediterranean Airways was headquartered at Hetherington House near London Heathrow Airport

A 2017 study by Trust for London and New Policy Institute found that pay inequality in Hounslow is the second largest of any London borough. It also found that 25% people in Hounslow live in poverty, which is slightly lower than the London-wide poverty rate of 27%.[17]

Demography

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Population pyramid of the Borough of Hounslow in 2021

53.3% of the borough's population is White, 34.4% is Asian, and 6.6% is Black. The most noticeable South Asian populations in the borough are in Hounslow, Heston and Cranford, all of which also have considerable Eastern European populations. The majority of Afro-Caribbean, East African, and West African populations are situated around the Brentford, Isleworth and Feltham areas. The majority of the White British population reside in the eastern and western parts of the borough (Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth, Osterley, Hounslow East, Hanworth, Feltham and Bedfont), with this population being most prominent in the affluent areas of Chiswick and Osterley.

In terms of religion, 42% identify themselves as Christian, 14% Muslim, 10.3% Hindu, 9% Sikh, 1.4% Buddhist and 0.3% Jewish; 18% of the population is not religious. At 9%, Hounslow has the largest proportion of Sikhs in London, and the third-highest in England after Slough and Wolverhampton.

The following table shows the ethnic group of respondents in the 2001 and 2011 census in Hounslow.

Population census
YearPop.±%
1801 11,672—    
1811 13,717+17.5%
1821 15,861+15.6%
1831 17,817+12.3%
1841 20,924+17.4%
1851 23,095+10.4%
1861 32,942+42.6%
1871 42,789+29.9%
1881 52,637+23.0%
1891 65,836+25.1%
1901 85,688+30.2%
1911 111,565+30.2%
1921 132,823+19.1%
1931 158,134+19.1%
1941 183,060+15.8%
1951 211,916+15.8%
1961 209,161−1.3%
1971 206,469−1.3%
1981 198,967−3.6%
1991 209,016+5.1%
2001 212,344+1.6%
2011 253,957+19.6%
Note:[18]
Ethnic Group Year
1971 estimations[19] 1981 estimations[20] 1991 census[21] 2001 census[22] 2011 census[23] 2021 census[24]
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
White: Total – 91.8% 163,161 82.9% 154,473 75.6% 137,754 64.87% 130,505 51.39% 127,083 44.09%
White: British – – – – – – 118,421 55.77% 96,264 37.91% 81,933 28.40%
White: Irish – – – – – – 6,198 2.92% 4,775 1.88% 3,894 1.40%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller – – – – – – – – 183 0.07% 1,276 0.40%
White: Other – – – – – – 13,135 6.19% 29,283 11.53% 39,980 13.90%
Asian or Asian British: Total – – – – 40,178 19.7% 54,352 25.60% 87,257 34.36% 105,846 36.7%
Asian or Asian British: Indian – – – – 29,128 14.6% 36,812 17.34% 48,161 18.96% 60,827 21.10%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani – – – – 5,244 2.6% 9,127 4.30% 13,676 5.39% 17,454 6.10%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi – – – – 635 0.3% 1,125 0.53% 2,189 0.86% 2,699 0.90%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese – – – – 1,293 0.6% 1,842 0.87% 2,405 0.95% 2,664 0.90%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian – – – – 3,878 1.9% 5,446 2.56% 20,826 8.20% 22,202 7.70%
Black or Black British: Total – – – – 5,608 2.7% 9,237 4.35% 16,813 6.62% 20,810 7.2%
Black or Black British: African – – – – 2,299 1.1% 5,723 2.70% 10,787 4.25% 14,895 5.2%
Black or Black British: Caribbean – – – – 2,300 1.1% 2,826 1.33% 3,381 1.33% 3,573 1.2%
Black or Black British: Other Black – – – – 1,009 0.5% 688 0.32% 2,645 1.04% 2,342 0.8%
Mixed or British Mixed: Total – – – – – – 6,447 3.04% 10,349 4.08% 13,514 4.6%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean – – – – – – 1,382 0.65% 2,273 0.90% 2,726 0.9%
Mixed: White and Black African – – – – – – 843 0.40% 1,730 0.68% 2,142 0.7%
Mixed: White and Asian – – – – – – 2,407 1.13% 3,390 1.33% 4,128 1.4%
Mixed: Other Mixed – – – – – – 1,815 0.85% 2,956 1.16% 4,518 1.6%
Other: Total – – – – 4,138 2% 4,551 2.14% 9,033 3.56% 20,928 7.3%
Other: Arab – – – – – – – – 3,638 1.43% 5,461 1.9%
Other: Any other ethnic group – – – – 4,138 2% 5,395 2.12% 15,467 5.4%
Ethnic minority: Total – 8.2% 33,609 17.1% 49,924 24.4% 74,587 35.13% 123,452 48.61% 161,098 55.8%
Total – 100% 196,770 100% 204,397 100% 212,341 100.00% 253,957 100.00% 288,181 100%

Education

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See also: List of schools in Hounslow

Football clubs

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The borough of Hounslow has several Non-League football clubs:

The borough is also home to the rugby side Staines RFC who play at the Reeves Ground in Hanworth.

Twinning

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Hounslow has a sister district agreement with Leningradsky District in Krasnodar Krai, Russia.[25] Hounslow is also twinned with Issy-les-Moulineaux in Île-de-France, France.[26]

People from Hounslow

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Main articles: Brentford, Chiswick, Feltham, Heston, Hounslow, Isleworth, and Osterley

Ian Gillan, vocalist for Deep Purple, and formerly of Black Sabbath and Gillan, is a native of Hounslow. Alistair Overeem a UFC fighter was born here, Hip-Hop rapper and producer MF DOOM also was born in Hounslow.

Freedom of the Borough

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The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Hounslow.

Individuals

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Military Units

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See also

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Notes and references

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Notes
  1. ^ The facility's inauguration was on 6 July 2006. Air France moved the office from Hammersmith, where it had been located for 15 years, to Hatton.
References
  1. ^ a b UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Hounslow Local Authority (E09000018)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ^ Room, Adrian: "Dictionary of Place-Names in the British Isles", Bloomsbury, 1988
  3. ^ Youngs, Frederic (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-901050-67-9.
  4. ^ "A change of name". The Citizen. Gloucester. 30 June 1927. p. 5. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Ealing News". West Middlesex Gazette. Ealing. 9 July 1927. p. 2. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Mayor of London opens new Hounslow civic centre". Capital West London. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Heathrow expansion". London Borough of Hounslow. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008.
  8. ^ "2011 Census: QS701EW Method of travel to work, local authorities in England and Wales". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 23 November 2013. Percentages are of all residents aged 16-74 including those not in employment. Respondents could only pick one mode, specified as the journey's longest part by distance.
  9. ^ "Heritage". Aston Martin. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014. 1947 saw the dawn of the 'David Brown Era' [...] with the next few years seeing [...] the relocation of production to Hanworth Park, Feltham, Middlesex. [....] Production was moved to Newport Pagnell in 1954 [...]
  10. ^ "Online Shipping Archived 11 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine." DHL Air UK. Retrieved on 23 April 2014. "DHL International (UK) Limited Registered Office: Orbital Park, 178-188 Great South West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW4 6JS"
  11. ^ "AIR FRANCE and KLM celebrate official inauguration of new office in London." Air France. 6 July 2006. Retrieved on 13 February 2010.
  12. ^ "Career Opportunities." Air France UK and Ireland. Retrieved on 13 February 2010.
  13. ^ "Corporate." SEGA. Retrieved on 31 January 2011. "SEGA Europe Ltd. 27 Great West Road Brentford Middlesex TW8 9BW United Kingdom ."
  14. ^ "Contact Us Archived 15 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Menzies Aviation. Retrieved on 18 February 2011. "Menzies Aviation plc, 4 New Square, Bedfont Lakes, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 8HA, United Kingdom."
  15. ^ "Head Office Location Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine." Menzie's Aviation. Retrieved on 18 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Contact Us Archived 1 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine." JCDecaux UK. Retrieved on 28 September 2011. "JCDecaux UK - Head Office 991 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex"
  17. ^ "London's Poverty Profile". Trust for London. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Hounslow: Total Population". A Vision of Britain Through Time. Great Britain Historical GIS Project. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  19. ^ "Migration and London's growth" (PDF). LSE.
  20. ^ Equality, Commission for Racial (1985). "Ethnic minorities in Britain: statistical information on the pattern of settlement". Commission for Racial Equality: Table 2.2.
  21. ^ "1991 census – theme tables". NOMIS. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  22. ^ "KS006 - Ethnic group". NOMIS. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  23. ^ "Ethnic Group by measures". NOMIS. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  24. ^ "Home - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  25. ^ Cumber, Robert (17 December 2010). "Council to revive links with Palestinian town". Hounslow, Heston & Whitton Chronicle. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  26. ^ "International | Issy-les-Moulineaux". www.issy.com (in French). Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  27. ^ Cumber, Robert (17 September 2014). "VC hero Johnson Beharry says Hounslow will always feel like home". MyLondon.
  28. ^ "Freedom of the borough awarded to Hounslow MP and councillors". 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  29. ^ "Freedom of the Borough for Royal British Legions". www.chiswickw4.com.
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51°28′3″N 0°21′42″W / 51.46750°N 0.36167°W / 51.46750; -0.36167

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