Hendon

Founding and First Mentions

The history of Hendon has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon period. The district's name comes from the Old English "Heah Dune", which translates to "at the high hill." This name accurately reflects the geographical position of the settlement's historical center.

The first official written mention of Hendon appears in the famous Domesday Book of 1086. At that time, it was a manor in the county of Middlesex, which already possessed significant economic value, including arable land, forests, and meadows.

Key Factors in Its Establishment

Hendon's development was shaped by several important circumstances:

• Strategic Location: Proximity to the ancient Roman road, Watling Street (now Edgware Road), which leads north from London, ensured a constant flow of travelers and merchants.
• Land Ownership: For many centuries, the manor belonged to Westminster Abbey. Monastic patronage contributed to the stability and gradual development of local infrastructure.
• Geography: Its elevated location and the presence of the River Brent created favorable conditions for farming and the construction of mills.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Until the 19th century, Hendon remained a predominantly rural area. The backbone of the local economy was hay production. Local farmers supplied fodder for the vast number of horses in neighboring London, making this business extremely profitable.

The center of social and spiritual life was St Mary's Church, which has existed on this site since Anglo-Saxon times. Around it and along the main road, an infrastructure of coaching inns and taverns serving travelers developed, giving Hendon the character of a lively yet cozy suburb.

Key Milestones in Hendon's History

• 1086 — The settlement is first mentioned in the Domesday Book as a manor belonging to Westminster Abbey.
• 1550 — King Edward VI grants the Manor of Hendon to Sir William Herbert, changing the feudal land management structure.
• 1756 — The famous "The Greyhound" inn opens, becoming an important staging post for travelers.
• 1868 — The launch of the Midland Railway station connects the area with Central London and stimulates the first stage of urbanization.
• 1911 — An aircraft departs from Hendon carrying the first official airmail flight in British history.
• 1914 — With the expansion of aviation activities, the local airfield becomes a key center for flight training and aircraft production.
• 1923 — The opening of Hendon Central tube station triggers large-scale construction of residential quarters in the garden suburb style.
• 1934 — The Prince of Wales officially opens the Hendon Police College, which becomes the main training base for the Metropolitan Police.
• 1965 — Hendon loses its status as a municipal borough and becomes part of the newly formed London Borough of Barnet (Greater London).
• 1972 — The Royal Air Force Museum opens on the site of the historic airfield, preserving the area's aviation heritage.
• 1976 — The Brent Cross Shopping Centre opens nearby, becoming the UK's first American-style mall.
• 2013 — The completion of the Middlesex University campus consolidation turns Hendon into a significant student and educational hub.

Key Stages in Hendon's Development

Hendon's transformation from a quiet rural parish into a bustling London district occurred in leaps and bounds, driven by transport and technological revolutions. Below are the major turning points that defined the area's modern character:

• The Arrival of the Railway (1868)
  The opening of the Midland Railway station was the first step toward urbanization. This event ended the isolation of the rural community and began turning Hendon into an accessible suburb for Londoners, though mass development began later.
• The Aviation Era (1911–1960s)
  Claude Grahame-White's creation of the airfield turned Hendon into a world-famous center of aviation. This gave a powerful boost to the local economy: aircraft manufacturing flourished here, and spectacular air shows attracted thousands of spectators, fostering a unique engineering culture.
• The Opening of the Tube and the Property Boom (1923)
  The launch of Hendon Central station on the Northern Line acted as a catalyst for explosive growth. Neighborhoods in the style typical of interwar London quickly sprang up around the station. It was during this period that Hendon finally transformed from a village into a densely populated urban district.
• Establishment of the Police College (1934)
  The opening of the Metropolitan Police training center (Peel Centre) gave the district status as an important administrative and educational hub. The college became a major employer and a landmark institution firmly associated with the area's name on a national level.
• Incorporation into Greater London (1965)
  Administrative reform and inclusion in the Borough of Barnet cemented Hendon's status as an integral part of the metropolis. This changed urban planning and infrastructure management approaches, integrating the district into the capital's overall transport and social system.
• The Opening of Brent Cross (1976)
  The appearance of the UK's first major American-style shopping mall on the edge of the district radically changed the economic landscape. This created thousands of jobs and shifted the focus of commercial activity, making the Hendon area a magnet for shoppers from across North London.
• Consolidation of Middlesex University (2000s–2010s)
  The university's decision to concentrate its campuses in Hendon led to a large-scale revitalization of the area. The influx of students revitalized local businesses and contributed to the renewal of housing stock and the emergence of modern public spaces.

Architectural Character and Urban Development

The architecture of Hendon provides a vivid illustration of how an ancient English village transformed into a prestigious London suburb. Here, one can trace the evolution from medieval church buildings to the meticulously planned "Metro-land" neighborhoods of the 1920s and modern university campuses.

The Middle Ages and the Georgian Era (Church End)

The historical heart of the district, known as The Burroughs and Church End, has preserved the atmosphere of old England. This area is dominated by low-rise buildings characteristic of rural settlements from centuries past.

• St Mary’s Church: The oldest building in the area. The main part of the nave dates back to the 13th century (Early English Gothic), while the massive tower was erected in the 15th century. It is a classic example of medieval parish architecture.
• Georgian Mansions: Along The Burroughs, 18th-century buildings in the Georgian style remain, distinguished by their symmetry, brickwork, and classical proportions. An example is the former Town Hall, which was rebuilt in the Victorian era but retains its austere features.
• Daniel's Almshouses: Built in the 1720s, these are a fine example of red-brick vernacular architecture, typical of charitable institutions of that period.

The "Metro-land" Era: 1920s–1930s

Hendon's most recognizable architectural layer was formed during the interwar period following the opening of the Underground. This was the heyday of the garden city concept and large-scale suburbanization.

• Neo-Georgian Style and Classicism: The area around Hendon Central station was designed as a unified ensemble. The station building and the surrounding "Circus" (a circular plaza) are executed in a strict Neo-Georgian style with classical elements: colonnades, symmetrical facades, and hipped roofs. This created a sense of solidity and respectability for the new suburb.
• Tudor Revival (Mock Tudor): The residential quarters radiating from the center are built with semi-detached houses featuring Mock Tudor elements. Characteristic features include decorative timber framing on the facades, gabled roofs, and bay windows. This style became the hallmark of middle-class London suburbs.

Industrial Heritage and Modernism

Aviation history has left Hendon with unique monuments of early 20th-century engineering architecture.

• Grahame-White Watchtower: Relocated to the grounds of the Royal Air Force Museum, this tower from the early 1910s combines utility with early modernism. It served as the airfield's control tower and is a rare example of early aviation infrastructure.
• Airfield Hangars: The historic hangars (now part of the museum) are examples of industrial architecture where functionality and large structural spans were the primary engineering goals.

Contemporary Architecture (21st Century)

In recent decades, the district's appearance has been updated by educational and residential projects bringing elements of high-tech and postmodernism.

• Middlesex University Campus: The Grove building, opened in 2012, stands out against the historical backdrop. It is a modern glass and steel construction with a massive atrium, demonstrating principles of eco-friendly design and open space.
• New Residential Developments: In regeneration zones (closer to Colindale), multi-story residential complexes are appearing with sleek facades, panoramic glazing, and flat roofs typical of modern London urbanism.

Notable People of Hendon

The history of Hendon is closely intertwined with the lives of many famous individuals—from aviation pioneers and Olympic champions to statesmen who reshaped the world map.

• Claude Grahame-White
  Aviation Pioneer and Entrepreneur
  A key figure in the district's history. In 1911, he founded the famous Hendon Aerodrome, turning a quiet suburb into the center of British aircraft manufacturing and a venue for grand air shows. His work forever established Hendon as the "cradle of aviation."
• Sir Stamford Raffles
  Statesman and Founder of Singapore
  Spent the final years of his life at the Highwood Hill estate in Hendon. He passed away here in 1826 and is buried in the parish church of St Mary. His grave is one of the district's important historical landmarks.
• William Wilberforce
  Politician and Philanthropist
  The famous leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire. He lived in the house neighboring Raffles on Highwood Hill, where he found seclusion and peace. In Hendon, he built St Paul's Church for the local community.
• David Garrick
  18th-Century Actor and Playwright
  A legend of the British stage, he was the Lord of the Manor of Hendon. Owning extensive lands in the area, he contributed to the rising prestige of Hendon among the London elite of the time.
• Harold Abrahams
  Athlete and Olympic Champion
  The famous sprinter, whose story formed the basis of the Oscar-winning film "Chariots of Fire," lived in Hendon for a long time. He was an active participant in the sporting life of the district and a member of the local golf club.
• Amy Johnson
  Record-Breaking Pilot
  The first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia. Her name is inextricably linked with Hendon Aerodrome, from where she conducted her flights and participated in aviation festivals, inspiring thousands of spectators.