A Guide to Living in Borough of Brent

Where is Brent?

The London Borough of Brent is found in North-West London. It covers the areas of Church End, Cricklewood, Dollis Hill, Harlesden, Kensal Green and Kenton.

Thanks to its location – just a stone’s throw from Central London – Brent is well connected to all parts of the city by public transport.

The borough shares borders with six other London boroughs: Ealing and Harrow in the northwest; Barnet and Camden in the northeast; Westminster in the southeast; and Hammersmith & Fulham in the southwest.

Areas in Brent

Brent has several neighbourhoods that are popular among homebuyers, including:

Alperton – an industrialised area that is home to a large Indian population and the Grand Union Canal.

Brondesbury Park – An affluent area south of Kensal Green with grand Victorian houses, many of which have been converted into flats. This neighbourhood has good transport links, a high street for shopping needs, local schools and parks for recreational activities.

Dollis Hill – A leafy suburban area near Willesden Green with plenty of green spaces including Gladstone Park (which features tennis courts) and Fryent Country Park (where you can enjoy nature walks). Dollis Hill also has underground access via Jubilee Line at Dollis Hill station.

Kenton – Situated in northwest London on the Watford branch of the Bakerloo Line, Kenton is a suburb with a vibrant high street featuring independent shops and restaurants. It is also home to Horsendon Hill Local Nature Reserve and Barham Park, which makes it ideal for nature lovers.

Kilburn – One of North West London’s most popular neighbourhoods known as ‘Little Ireland’ due to its large Irish community who settled here in the late 1950s. The area features two railway stations (Queen’s Road at Kilburn High Road station; Brondesbury Station on the North London line) along with numerous parks and green spaces such as Priory Park, Mapesbury Dell Playground and Queens Park Gardens.

Neasden – An inner suburb of North West London covering an area of just over three square miles. The residential areas are characterised by spacious Victorian and Edwardian houses with many being converted into flats and bedsits.

Kingsbury – A suburban district in North West London, located on the north-west side of Brent, bordering Middlesex to the west and south-east along with the London Boroughs of Harrow to the south, Barnet to the east and Wembley Park (in Brent) to its immediate north.

Universities in Brent

As a London Borough, Brent does not have any universities of its own. However, there are a number of universities located nearby in other boroughs which students from Brent may attend, including:

The University of Westminster (in the City of Westminster) – Established in 1838, the University of Westminster is the oldest university in London. It has around 26,000 students and is located in the heart of London, close to many of its major attractions.

University College London (UCL) – UCL is one of the world’s leading universities, with around 38,000 students and ranked as the fourth-best university in Europe. It is located in the Bloomsbury area of London.

King’s College London (KCL) – KCL is another world-renowned university, ranked as the sixth-best in Europe and thirteenth in the world. It has around 26,000 students and is located in the borough of Lambeth.

Top Schools in Brent

Brent is home to a number of top-performing schools which have been recognised through various awards and ratings. These include:

The West Bridgford School (rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted) – The school has a strong record of academic achievement, and students are encouraged to develop their leadership skills through participation in the student council.

Latymer Upper School (rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted) – This selective all-girls school is known for its strong academic results, with almost all students gaining entrance to their first choice universities.

Wembley High Technology College (rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted) – The school has a diverse student body, with pupils from more than 40 countries speaking over 35 languages.

Population of Brent

The population of Brent was estimated at 327,000 in 2016, making it the second-most populous London Borough after Tower Hamlets.