Willesden Junction

This is not only an underground station but also a major British  Rail station and an Overground station. Consequently it is a large station with platforms on a high and a low level. It also has toilets on the platform, very useful for the tube traveller.

This is the path from the railway station. I was walking along it at midday but there is no way I would walk there at night. It felt desolate and threatening. The steps at the end of the pathway take you to Harlesden town Centre. I was surprised thinking that I as I had just arrived at Willesden Junction I would be in Willesden but no I am in Harlesden.

Harlesden started life as a rural village but with the coming of the railways and 3 stations within close proximity to one another it soon grew and in the Victorian times became part of the ever growing London conurbation. In 1999 Harlesden had the highest murder rate in the UK. but things have improved over recent years. Walking along the high street there were a number of fresh food shops including this fishmongers and its wonderful display.












There are far more hairdressers and hair shops than I have ever seen on other High Streets.This one had a huge number of  wigs on display.



Harlesden is an ethnically diverse community. In the 60s many Irish and Afro - Caribbeans arrived to work on the railways and in the McVities biscuit factory. More recently Brazilians, Portuguese, Afghan, Polish and Somalian communities have settled in the area.

The Royal Oak built in 1892 although there has been a building on the site since 1757

The salvation Army Hall which offers Christian services as well as children's play groups and other community activities.

On the front of this building is a blue plaque celebrating the formation of the UKs first Reggae band.

In the centre of the town is the Jubilee clock to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee erected in 1887

On the right is the  old Willesden Junction  station. Across the road from the old station is Le Junction a gastro pub which was once the  Willesden Junction Hotel.

Walking from the present  Willesden Junction station in the opposite direction to Harlesden Town Centre it looks very different. 

You can now see the houses that were built for the railway workers.

The alleyways that run between the backs of the terraced houses are no longer the back yards that would house the lavatory but bijou patios with potted plants.

Just past this group of railway houses we come to the Paddington Branch of the Grand Union Canal

Looked picturesque from the bridge but down on the tow path it is not so pleasant with rubbish strewn in the undergrowth along its banks.

Looking closer, this isn't discarded rubbish but is where someone has been living.

Following the canal it takes me to the next station on the Bakerloo line - Harlesden.