Kenton

At number 24 this is the penultimate station on the Bakerloo Line 

Normally the sign reads 'Mind the Gap' but on these platforms it really is a large step to get on or off the tube.

The station serves both the Underground and the Overground on their way into Euston station.

There are also trains that speed past Kenton on their way into London.

Above ground the station looks very small.

It was quite a long high street with shops on either side of the station. Some of them being quite large establishments.

I walked to the end of the high street passing this building which is a church hall with a sign saying North Wembley Conservative Club but I couldn't help wondering what it used to be. I tried to find out on the internet but didn't get anywhere.

This is Northwick Hospital built from 1962 onwards and looks typical for that era - lots of concrete and little design. However, I was hungry and needed the toilet so this was my lunch stop! Actually  there was a choice of places to eat so I was happy and ready to continue my walk.

Next to the hospital is the School of media, art and design of the University of Westminster previously Harrow Technical college

In 1905 Harrow Public school bought up a lot of this land to prevent development near the famous school and across the road from the hospital it is very green with sports fields and a golf course.

Walking back towards the station so I could explore the other side of the station we passed Harrow High School (NOT the famous public school, Harrow, which is at the top of the hill), this is Michael Portillo's old school.

Typical road around this area but I took this photo because it reminded me of those roads leading to the sea.

This was known as 'The Travellers Rest'. In 1933 it was rebuilt as a pub/hotel and became the largest public house in Middlesex. It is now part of the Premier Inn chain of hotels.

Walking around the back of the High Street I came across Kenton Recreation Ground with its green gym.

It runs alongside the railway line.

Kenton was originally a small hamlet surrounded by open fields called 'Great Little' and 'Gorefield'. In 1930 the urban District Council of Wealdstone purchased Kenton Recreation Ground to ensure that the residents of Kenton always had an area of green open space preserved for them. This land was previously used as a sewage farm for Harrow until 1936 when it was converted into the Recreation Ground.

Whilst admiring the park with its meadows, picnic tables, sports areas as well as allotments I met  Eugene who organises a large group of volunteers to keep this park looking so wonderful. He was so enthusiastic and proud of the park and the part it plays in community life that it was a joy to have met him.

I don't think I've ever seen a park looking so clean without one piece of litter anywhere.

Walking back along the High Street to the station I noticed these flowers adorning the side of the road which made a huge difference to the look of the High Street.