Kilburn
Encyclopedia
Kilburn is an area of north west London
, England, which is divided between three London Boroughs, Brent
, Camden
, and a small part in Westminster
. The main thoroughfare running northwest-southeast is Kilburn High Road, part of the modern A5 road which forms the boundary between the boroughs of Brent and Camden. The road dates back to pre-Roman times and is part of the Roman road
known as Watling Street
. The town of Kilburn has its origins in a 12th century priory
on the banks of the Kilburn Brook. Kilburn today is a busy and multicultural London district. It has the highest Irish population of any London area, as well as a large Afro-Caribbean population. The area is identified in the London Plan
as one of 35 major centres in Greater London
.
, part of a Celtic route between the settlements now known as Canterbury
and St Albans
. Under Roman rule
, the route was paved. In Anglo-Saxon
times the road became known as Watling Street
.
Kilburn grew up on the banks of a stream which has been known variously as Cuneburna, Kelebourne and Cyebourne, which flows from Hampstead
down through Hyde Park
and into the River Thames
. It is suggested the name means either Royal River or Cattle River ('Bourne' being an Anglo-Saxon word for 'river'). The river is known today as the River Westbourne
. From the 1850s it was piped underground and is now one of London's many underground rivers
.
The name Kilburn was first recorded in 1134 as Cuneburna, referring to the priory
which had been built on the site of the cell of a hermit known as Godwyn.
Godwyn had built his hermitage by the Kilburn river during the reign of Henry I
, and both his hermitage and the priory took their name from the river. Kilburn Priory
was a small community of nuns, probably Augustinian canonesses
. It was founded in 1134 at the Kilburn river crossing on Watling Street (the modern-day junction of Kilburn High Road and Belsize Road). Kilburn Priory's position on Watling Street meant that it became a popular resting point for pilgrims heading for the shrines at St Albans
and Willesden
. The Priory was dissolved in 1536-7 by Henry VIII
, and nothing remains of it today.
The priory lands included a mansion and a hostium (a guesthouse), which may have been the origin of the Red Lion pub, now called The Westbury thought to have been founded in 1444. Opposite, the Bell Inn was opened around 1600, on the site of the old mansion.
The fashion for taking 'medicinal waters' in the 18th century came to Kilburn when a well of chalybeate
waters (water impregnated with iron) was discovered near the Bell Inn in 1714. In an attempt to compete with the nearby Hampstead
Well, gardens and a 'great room' were opened to promote the well, and its waters were promoted in journals of the day as cure for 'stomach ailments':
In the 19th century the wells declined, but the Kilburn Wells remained popular as a tea garden. The Bell was demolished and rebuilt in 1863, the building which stands there today.
The Kilburn stretch of Watling Street, now called Edgware Road and Kilburn High Road, was gradually built up with inns and farm houses. However, despite the discovery of a medicinal well in 1714, and the creation of gardens and a fine room to exploit the water, Kilburn did not attract any significant building until around 1819 in the area near St John's Wood
.
Between 1839 and 1856 the newsagent and future First Lord of the Admiralty William Henry Smith lived in a house to the west of Kilburn High Road. Much of the area was developed in the last decades of the nineteenth century by Solomon Barnett, who named many of the streets after places in the West Country (e.g. Torbay) or after popular poets of the day (e.g. Tennyson) in honour of his wife.
, Afro-Caribbean, India
n, Bangladesh
i, Pakistan
i, and Somali
backgrounds. Because the area is split between more than one London borough, statistics are gathered from different parts of Kilburn.
The Kilburn area is most strongly associated with its Irish population and culture; 13% of the population were born in Ireland
with an even higher percentage of Irish descent, giving it the highest Irish population of any London area. The Irish presence is evident in Irish community activities, Irish pubs (many of which attract custom by screening Gaelic games
), local GAA
sports clubs, newsagents selling a wide range of Irish newspapers, and the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations in the area.
The 2007 Irish-language film Kings
has also been associated with Kilburn and is based on Jimmy Murphy
's play The Kings of the Kilburn High Road
.
route, Iter III in the Antonine Itinerary
, which later took the Anglo-Saxon
name Watling Street
. This was based on an earlier Celtic route from Verlamion
to Durovernum Cantiacorum
, modern day St Albans
and Canterbury
.
Running roughly north-west to south-east, it forms the boundary between the London boroughs of Camden
to the east and Brent
to the west. It is the section of the Edgware Road (itself part of the A5) between Shoot Up Hill and Maida Vale
.
There are three railway stations on Kilburn High Road: Kilburn tube station
(Jubilee Line
) at its northern end and a little to the south Brondesbury station
(London Overground
on the North London Line
). Approximately 1.25 km (nearly a mile) further south is Kilburn High Road station
(also London Overground, on the Watford DC Line
). Kilburn Park tube station
, on the Bakerloo Line
, lies a little west of the southern end of the High Road.
The green space of Kilburn Grange Park
is located to the east side of Kilburn High Road.
The name of Ian Dury
's first band, Kilburn & the High Roads, refers to this road, as does the Flogging Molly
song, "Kilburn High Road" and the Shack
song, "Kilburn High Road".
Gaumont State Cinema, designed by George Coles
and opened in 1937. It was then the biggest auditorium in Europe, with seating for 4,004 people. For twenty years the building was run as a bingo hall by Mecca Bingo
but it is now owned by Ruach Ministries, a fast-growing Evangelical church led by Bishop John Anthony Francis and Co-Pastor Penny Francis.
was opened in a converted Forester's Hall on Kilburn High Road north of Buckley Road. The Tricycle is a renowned arts centre, now including a gallery, cinema and theatre. It has a particular reputation for political dramas including dramatisations of significant court cases and a play about the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
, which subsequently transferred to the West End
and to New York City
. Reflecting the culturally diverse local community of Kilburn, the Tricycle theatre presents many international pieces and films, often in original language with English subtitles, and hosts or runs social and educational programmes.
. Completed in 1880 by the architect John Loughborough Pearson
, the church has an ornate Victorian interior, a carved stone reredos and screen and stained glass, adjacent to its partners, St Augustine's Primary and Secondary School
. The church is sometimes nicknamed "the Cathedral of North London
" due to its size - at the time of construction, it was the third-largest place of worship in London, after St Paul's Cathedral
and Westminster Abbey
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England, which is divided between three London Boroughs, Brent
London Borough of Brent
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 2,022. This rose slowly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 5,646 in the middle of the century. When the railways arrived the rate of population growth increased...
, Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
, and a small part in Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
. The main thoroughfare running northwest-southeast is Kilburn High Road, part of the modern A5 road which forms the boundary between the boroughs of Brent and Camden. The road dates back to pre-Roman times and is part of the Roman road
Roman roads in Britain
Roman roads, together with Roman aqueducts and the vast standing Roman army , constituted the three most impressive features of the Roman Empire. In Britain, as in other provinces, the Romans constructed a comprehensive network of paved trunk roads Roman roads, together with Roman aqueducts and the...
known as Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
. The town of Kilburn has its origins in a 12th century priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
on the banks of the Kilburn Brook. Kilburn today is a busy and multicultural London district. It has the highest Irish population of any London area, as well as a large Afro-Caribbean population. The area is identified in the London Plan
London Plan
The London Plan is a planning document written by the Mayor of London, England in the United Kingdom and published by the Greater London Authority. The plan was first published in final form on 10 February 2004 and has since been amended. The current version was published in February 2008...
as one of 35 major centres in Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
.
History
Kilburn High Road originated as an ancient trackwayAncient trackway
Ancient trackway can refer to any track or trail whose origin is lost in antiquity. Such paths existed from the earliest prehistoric times and in every inhabited part of the globe...
, part of a Celtic route between the settlements now known as Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
and St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
. Under Roman rule
Roman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
, the route was paved. In Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
times the road became known as Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
.
Kilburn grew up on the banks of a stream which has been known variously as Cuneburna, Kelebourne and Cyebourne, which flows from Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
down through Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
and into the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. It is suggested the name means either Royal River or Cattle River ('Bourne' being an Anglo-Saxon word for 'river'). The river is known today as the River Westbourne
River Westbourne
The River Westbourne is a river in London, England. It flows from Hampstead down through Hyde Park to Sloane Square and into the River Thames at Chelsea...
. From the 1850s it was piped underground and is now one of London's many underground rivers
Subterranean rivers of London
The subterranean or underground rivers of London are the tributaries of the River Thames and River Lea that were built over during the growth of the metropolis of London...
.
The name Kilburn was first recorded in 1134 as Cuneburna, referring to the priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
which had been built on the site of the cell of a hermit known as Godwyn.
Godwyn had built his hermitage by the Kilburn river during the reign of Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
, and both his hermitage and the priory took their name from the river. Kilburn Priory
Kilburn Priory
Kilburn Priory was a small monastic community of nuns established around 1130–1134 three miles north-east of the medieval City of London, where Watling Street met the stream now known as the Westbourne, but variously known as Cuneburna, Keneburna, Keeleburne, Coldburne, or Caleburn, meaning either...
was a small community of nuns, probably Augustinian canonesses
Augustinian nuns
Augustinian nuns are the most ancient and continuous segment of the Roman Catholic Augustinian religious order under the canons of contemporary historical method. The Augustinian nuns, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo , are several Roman Catholic enclosed monastic orders of women living...
. It was founded in 1134 at the Kilburn river crossing on Watling Street (the modern-day junction of Kilburn High Road and Belsize Road). Kilburn Priory's position on Watling Street meant that it became a popular resting point for pilgrims heading for the shrines at St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
and Willesden
Willesden
Willesden is an area in North West London which forms part of the London Borough of Brent. It is situated 5 miles north west of Charing Cross...
. The Priory was dissolved in 1536-7 by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, and nothing remains of it today.
The priory lands included a mansion and a hostium (a guesthouse), which may have been the origin of the Red Lion pub, now called The Westbury thought to have been founded in 1444. Opposite, the Bell Inn was opened around 1600, on the site of the old mansion.
The fashion for taking 'medicinal waters' in the 18th century came to Kilburn when a well of chalybeate
Chalybeate
Chalybeate waters, also known as ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.-Name:The word "chalybeate" is derived from the Latin word for steel, "chalybs", which follows from the Greek word "khalups"...
waters (water impregnated with iron) was discovered near the Bell Inn in 1714. In an attempt to compete with the nearby Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
Well, gardens and a 'great room' were opened to promote the well, and its waters were promoted in journals of the day as cure for 'stomach ailments':
In the 19th century the wells declined, but the Kilburn Wells remained popular as a tea garden. The Bell was demolished and rebuilt in 1863, the building which stands there today.
The Kilburn stretch of Watling Street, now called Edgware Road and Kilburn High Road, was gradually built up with inns and farm houses. However, despite the discovery of a medicinal well in 1714, and the creation of gardens and a fine room to exploit the water, Kilburn did not attract any significant building until around 1819 in the area near St John's Wood
St John's Wood
St John's Wood is a district of north-west London, England, in the City of Westminster, and at the north-west end of Regent's Park. It is approximately 2.5 miles north-west of Charing Cross. Once part of the Great Middlesex Forest, it was later owned by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem...
.
Between 1839 and 1856 the newsagent and future First Lord of the Admiralty William Henry Smith lived in a house to the west of Kilburn High Road. Much of the area was developed in the last decades of the nineteenth century by Solomon Barnett, who named many of the streets after places in the West Country (e.g. Torbay) or after popular poets of the day (e.g. Tennyson) in honour of his wife.
Demographics
Kilburn has a number of different ethnic groups, including people of IrishIrish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, Afro-Caribbean, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i, and Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
backgrounds. Because the area is split between more than one London borough, statistics are gathered from different parts of Kilburn.
The Kilburn area is most strongly associated with its Irish population and culture; 13% of the population were born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
with an even higher percentage of Irish descent, giving it the highest Irish population of any London area. The Irish presence is evident in Irish community activities, Irish pubs (many of which attract custom by screening Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
), local GAA
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
sports clubs, newsagents selling a wide range of Irish newspapers, and the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations in the area.
The 2007 Irish-language film Kings
Kings (film)
Kings is a 2007 Irish film written & directed by Tom Collins and based on Jimmy Murphy's play The Kings of the Kilburn High Road. The film is bilingual, having both Irish and English dialogues. It was premièred at the Taormina Film Festival in June 2006, and was selected as Ireland's official...
has also been associated with Kilburn and is based on Jimmy Murphy
Jimmy Murphy (playwright)
Jimmy Murphy is an Irish playwright living in Dublin.He is a former writer in residence at NUI Maynooth , a member of the Abbey Theatre’s Advisory Council and a recipient of three Bursaries in literature from the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. He is a member of Aosdána.Murphy was born to Irish...
's play The Kings of the Kilburn High Road
The Kings of the Kilburn High Road
The Kings of the Kilburn High Road is a play by Irish playwright Jimmy Murphy first produced by Red Kettle Theatre Company at the Garter Lane Theatre Waterford Ireland in 2000. The first American production was staged by the Rochester Community Players of Rochester, New York, in April 2005...
.
Landmarks
Kilburn High Road
Kilburn High Road is the main road in Kilburn. It follows a part of the line of the RomanRoman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
route, Iter III in the Antonine Itinerary
Antonine Itinerary
The Antonine Itinerary is a register of the stations and distances along the various roads of the Roman empire, containing directions how to get from one Roman settlement to another...
, which later took the Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
name Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
. This was based on an earlier Celtic route from Verlamion
Verlamion
Verlamion, or Verlamio, was the tribal capital of the Catuvellauni tribe in Iron Age Britain from approximately 20 BC until shortly after the Roman invasion of 43 AD...
to Durovernum Cantiacorum
Durovernum Cantiacorum
Durovernum Cantiacorum was a town in the Roman province of Britannia. Today it is known as Canterbury, located in the English county of Kent. It occupied a strategic location on Watling Street, at the convergence of the roads coming from the rest of the Roman Empire via the ports of Dubris ,...
, modern day St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
and Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
.
Running roughly north-west to south-east, it forms the boundary between the London boroughs of Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
to the east and Brent
London Borough of Brent
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 2,022. This rose slowly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 5,646 in the middle of the century. When the railways arrived the rate of population growth increased...
to the west. It is the section of the Edgware Road (itself part of the A5) between Shoot Up Hill and Maida Vale
Maida Vale
Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. It is part of the City of Westminster. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats...
.
There are three railway stations on Kilburn High Road: Kilburn tube station
Kilburn tube station
Kilburn tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in north-west London. It is on the Jubilee Line, situated between Willesden Green and West Hampstead tube stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 2...
(Jubilee Line
Jubilee Line
The Jubilee line is a line on the London Underground , in the United Kingdom. It was built in two major sections—initially to Charing Cross, in central London, and later extended, in 1999, to Stratford, in east London. The later stations are larger and have special safety features, both aspects...
) at its northern end and a little to the south Brondesbury station
Brondesbury railway station
Brondesbury is on the North London Line, on a viaduct crossing Kilburn High Road in the Brondesbury area of Kilburn in north-west London.It is approximately 200 metres south-east of station and half a mile north-west of station....
(London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
on the North London Line
North London Line
The North London Line is a railway line which passes through the inner suburbs of north London, England. Its route is a rough semicircle from the south west to the north east, avoiding central London. The line is owned and maintained by Network Rail...
). Approximately 1.25 km (nearly a mile) further south is Kilburn High Road station
Kilburn High Road railway station
Kilburn High Road railway station is a London Overground station situated near the south end of the Kilburn High Road, London NW6 in the London Borough of Camden.-History:...
(also London Overground, on the Watford DC Line
Watford DC Line
The Watford DC Line is a commuter railway line from London Euston to Watford Junction. Services on the line are operated by London Overground....
). Kilburn Park tube station
Kilburn Park tube station
Kilburn Park tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent. The station is on the Bakerloo Line, between Queen's Park and Maida Vale stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 2....
, on the Bakerloo Line
Bakerloo Line
The Bakerloo line is a line of the London Underground, coloured brown on the Tube map. It runs partly on the surface and partly at deep level, from Elephant and Castle in the south-east to Harrow & Wealdstone in the north-west of London. The line serves 25 stations, of which 15 are underground...
, lies a little west of the southern end of the High Road.
The green space of Kilburn Grange Park
Kilburn Grange Park
Kilburn Grange Park is a open space in Kilburn, north-west London adjacent to Kilburn High Road. It is administered by the London Borough of Camden and includes a children's playground and tennis courts....
is located to the east side of Kilburn High Road.
The name of Ian Dury
Ian Dury
Ian Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
's first band, Kilburn & the High Roads, refers to this road, as does the Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
song, "Kilburn High Road" and the Shack
Shack (band)
Shack are an English band formed in Liverpool in 1987. Originally Shack consisted of Mick Head , his brother John Head , Justin Smith and Mick Hurst.-The Pale Fountains:...
song, "Kilburn High Road".
Gaumont State Cinema
A notable landmark in Kilburn High Road is the Grade II* listed Art DecoArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
Gaumont State Cinema, designed by George Coles
George Coles (architect)
George Coles was an English architect, mostly known as a designer of Art Deco-style cinema theatres between the 1920s and the 1930s. His works include the Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn, the Carlton Cinema in Islington, the Troxy in Stepney and several Odeons, commissioned by Oscar Deutsch...
and opened in 1937. It was then the biggest auditorium in Europe, with seating for 4,004 people. For twenty years the building was run as a bingo hall by Mecca Bingo
The Rank Group
The Rank Group plc is a European gaming and leisure business. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
but it is now owned by Ruach Ministries, a fast-growing Evangelical church led by Bishop John Anthony Francis and Co-Pastor Penny Francis.
The Tricycle Theatre
In 1980 the Tricycle TheatreTricycle Theatre
The Tricycle Theatre is located on Kilburn High Road in Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent, England. During the last 30 years, the Tricycle has been presenting plays reflecting the cultural diversity of its community; in particular Black, Irish, Jewish, Asian and South African works, as well as...
was opened in a converted Forester's Hall on Kilburn High Road north of Buckley Road. The Tricycle is a renowned arts centre, now including a gallery, cinema and theatre. It has a particular reputation for political dramas including dramatisations of significant court cases and a play about the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, which subsequently transferred to the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
and to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Reflecting the culturally diverse local community of Kilburn, the Tricycle theatre presents many international pieces and films, often in original language with English subtitles, and hosts or runs social and educational programmes.
Other buildings
To the south, the Kilburn skyline is dominated by the Gothic spire of St. Augustine's, KilburnSt. Augustine's, Kilburn
Saint Augustine's, Kilburn is an Anglican Church in the area of Kilburn, in North London, United Kingdom. Because of its large scale and ornate architecture, it is sometimes affectionately referred to as "the Cathedral of North London", although the church is not a cathedral in any official...
. Completed in 1880 by the architect John Loughborough Pearson
John Loughborough Pearson
John Loughborough Pearson was a Gothic Revival architect renowned for his work on churches and cathedrals. Pearson revived and practised largely the art of vaulting, and acquired in it a proficiency unrivalled in his generation.-Early life and education:Pearson was born in Brussels, Belgium on 5...
, the church has an ornate Victorian interior, a carved stone reredos and screen and stained glass, adjacent to its partners, St Augustine's Primary and Secondary School
St Augustine's Church of England High School
St Augustine's Church of England High School is a Church of England school in the North London borough of Westminster, Kilburn. The school is also a Science College and has a sixth form. St Augustine of Canterbury is the patron saint of the school...
. The church is sometimes nicknamed "the Cathedral of North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
" due to its size - at the time of construction, it was the third-largest place of worship in London, after St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
and Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.
Location in context
Transport
Nearest tube stations
- Kilburn tube stationKilburn tube stationKilburn tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in north-west London. It is on the Jubilee Line, situated between Willesden Green and West Hampstead tube stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 2...
(Jubilee line) - Kilburn Park tube stationKilburn Park tube stationKilburn Park tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent. The station is on the Bakerloo Line, between Queen's Park and Maida Vale stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 2....
(Bakerloo line) - Queen's Park stationQueen's Park stationQueen's Park station is a station served by London Underground and London Overground. It is in West Kilburn at the southern end of Salusbury Road, near the public park from which it takes its name...
(Bakerloo line)
Nearest railway stations
- Brondesbury railway stationBrondesbury railway stationBrondesbury is on the North London Line, on a viaduct crossing Kilburn High Road in the Brondesbury area of Kilburn in north-west London.It is approximately 200 metres south-east of station and half a mile north-west of station....
(London Overground) - Kilburn High Road railway stationKilburn High Road railway stationKilburn High Road railway station is a London Overground station situated near the south end of the Kilburn High Road, London NW6 in the London Borough of Camden.-History:...
(London Overground)
Bus services
Kilburn is served by many bus routes that go along the High Road. Most routes come south from Cricklewood, and serve various points in central and west London.| 16 London Buses route 16 London Buses route 16 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.-History:... |
Victoria Station | Cricklewood Cricklewood Cricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-16.pdf |
| 31 London Buses route 31 London Buses route 31 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:... |
Camden Town Camden Town -Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in... |
White City Westfield London Westfield London is a shopping centre in White City in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group at a cost of £1.6bn,... |
First Centrewest First London .First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-31.pdf |
| 32 | Kilburn Park station Kilburn Park tube station Kilburn Park tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent. The station is on the Bakerloo Line, between Queen's Park and Maida Vale stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 2.... |
Edgware Edgware Edgware is an area in London, situated north-northwest of Charing Cross. It forms part of both the London Borough of Barnet and the London Borough of Harrow. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-32.pdf |
| 98 | Holborn Holborn Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct... |
Willesden Willesden Willesden is an area in North West London which forms part of the London Borough of Brent. It is situated 5 miles north west of Charing Cross... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-98.pdf |
| 189 | Oxford Circus Oxford Circus Oxford Circus is the area of London at the busy intersection of Regent Street and Oxford Street, in the West End. It is served by Oxford Circus tube station, which is directly beneath the junction itself.- History :... |
Brent Cross Brent Cross Brent Cross is an area of north London, in the London Borough of Barnet. It is located near the A41 Brent Cross Flyover over the A406 North Circular Road. Brent Cross is best known for its shopping centre and the proposed Brent Cross Cricklewood development.... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-189.pdf |
| 206 | Kilburn Park station Kilburn Park tube station Kilburn Park tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent. The station is on the Bakerloo Line, between Queen's Park and Maida Vale stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 2.... |
St. Raphael's Estate, Neasden Neasden Neasden is an area in northwest London, UK. It forms part of the London Borough of Brent.-History:The area was recorded as Neasdun in 939 AD and the name is derived from the Old English nēos = 'nose' and dūn = 'hill'. It means 'the nose-shaped hill' referring to a well-defined landmark of this area... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-206.pdf |
| 316 | White City Westfield London Westfield London is a shopping centre in White City in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group at a cost of £1.6bn,... |
Cricklewood Cricklewood Cricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:... Bus Garage |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-316.pdf |
| 328 London Buses route 328 London Buses route 328 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:... |
Chelsea Chelsea, London Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above... |
Golders Green Golders Green Golders Green is an area in the London Borough of Barnet in London, England. Although having some earlier history, it is essentially a 19th century suburban development situated about 5.3 miles north west of Charing Cross and centred on the crossroads of Golders Green Road and Finchley Road.In the... |
First London First London .First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-328.pdf |
| 332 | Neasden Neasden Neasden is an area in northwest London, UK. It forms part of the London Borough of Brent.-History:The area was recorded as Neasdun in 939 AD and the name is derived from the Old English nēos = 'nose' and dūn = 'hill'. It means 'the nose-shaped hill' referring to a well-defined landmark of this area... Brent Park Tesco |
Paddington Paddington Paddington is a district within the City of Westminster, in central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-332.pdf |
| N16 | Victoria | Edgware Edgware Edgware is an area in London, situated north-northwest of Charing Cross. It forms part of both the London Borough of Barnet and the London Borough of Harrow. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-N16.pdf |
| N28 | Wandsworth Wandsworth Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:... |
Camden Town Camden Town -Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in... |
First London First London .First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-N28.pdf |
| N31 | Camden Town Camden Town -Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in... |
Clapham Junction Station Clapham Junction railway station Clapham Junction railway station is near St John's Hill in the south-west of Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Although it is in Battersea, the area around the station is commonly identified as Clapham Junction.... |
First London First London .First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-N31.pdf |
| N98 | Holborn Holborn Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct... |
Stanmore Station Stanmore tube station Stanmore tube station is a London Underground station at Stanmore. It is the northern terminus of the Jubilee Line; the previous station is Canons Park. It is in Travelcard Zone 5... |
Metroline Metroline Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:... |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/boroughreports/routes/performance-route-N98.pdf |
Sport
- Kilburn is the home of Kilburn Gaels Hurling Club.
- Kilburn is also home to Kilburn Cosmos RFC, one of the few rugby clubs in inner London.
- South Kilburn Football Club play in the Hellenic Football league and will be pushing for promotion in the 2009/2010 season.
- Kilburn Football Club play in the Middlesex County League, and hold regular training sessions in Grange Park.
- One of the 12 founder members of the Football AssociationThe Football AssociationThe Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
was formed in Kilburn in 1863. It was referred to as the N.N. Club or N.N. Kilburn, "N.N." being thought to stand for "Non Name". It supplied the first president of the Football Association.
Notable residents
- Oni AkereleOni AkereleJohn Oni Akerele was a Nigerian doctor, Nigeria's first indigenous surgeon.While living in London, in 1941 he married Dorothy Jackson, who was of African, European and Native American descent, and they set up home in Kilburn, in the north of London....
and his wife, Dorothy - Lily AllenLily AllenLily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
- Roderick BradleyRoderick BradleyRoderick "Rod" Bradley is an English American footballer from Grantham, England.- Education :Roderick “Rod” Bradley is from Grantham, England and was born on the 29th of March 1983. Rod attended Oakham School for seven years between 1994 and 2001 before going to Loughborough to study art...
- Thomas Canty
- Todd CartyTodd CartyTodd Carty is an Irish actor and director, who has grown up on television screens in a variety of roles. His stage work has varied from pantomime to serious drama, as well as radio plays, voiceovers, commercials, narrations, and films...
- Edwyn CollinsEdwyn CollinsEdwyn Stephen Collins is an Ivor Novello Award winning Scottish musician, playing mostly electric guitar-driven pop. Collins formed the musical group Nu-Sonics in 1976, which later became Orange Juice...
- Brian EnoBrian EnoBrian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
- Matt LucasMatt LucasMatthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
- Annie MacAnnie MacAnnie Mac is an Irish DJ and television presenter who hosts an eponymous electronic dance music show on BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom which airs at 7:00 pm on Friday evenings as well as a Sunday evening show alongside co-presenter Nick Grimshaw.-Personal life:Annie Mac was born in Dublin,...
- David MitchellDavid Mitchell (actor)David James Stuart Mitchell is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is half of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb, alongside Robert Webb, whom he met at Cambridge University. There they were both part of the Cambridge Footlights, of which Mitchell became President. Together the duo star in the...
- Kate MossKate MossKate Moss is an English model. Moss is known for her waifish figure and popularising the heroin chic look in the 1990s. She is also known for her controversial private life, high profile relationships, party lifestyle, and drug use. Moss changed the look of modelling and started a global debate on...
- Gavin RossdaleGavin RossdaleGavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
- Russell SimpsonRussell SimpsonRussell Simpson is a former tennis player from New Zealand, who won six doubles titles during his professional career. The right-hander reached his highest singles ATP ranking on April 18, 1983, when he became #47 in the world...
- Zadie SmithZadie SmithZadie Smith is a British novelist. To date she has written three novels. In 2003, she was included on Granta's list of 20 best young authors...
- Tommy SparksTommy SparksTommy Sparks is a fusion/pop/alternative musician born in Stockholm, Sweden who currently lives in Kilburn, London, United Kingdom. He is known for his songs "She's Got Me Dancing" and "I'm a Rope". His self-titled album was released on 11 May 2009 in the United Kingdom. He co-wrote The Prodigy...
- Robert WebbRobert Webb (actor)Robert Webb is an English actor, comedian and writer, and one half of the double act Mitchell and Webb, alongside David Mitchell.-Early life:...
- David WinnerDavid WinnerDavid Winner is an English author and journalist. He lives in Kilburn, London.His best-known books are Those Feet: An Intimate History of English Football , and Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football ....
- James Segal
- Will Quick
- Brian HurleyBrian HurleyBrian Hurley, M.D., M.B.A. was elected in 2008 at the 58th AMSA Annual Convention, as National President of the American Medical Student Association . Dr. Hurley is a recent graduate of the Keck School of Medicine and Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California...
External links
- Tourist information
- The Tricycle
- Kilburn Cosmos RFC
- History of Kilburn's Theatres With Original Programmes.
- The Gaumont State Cinema organ (Cinema Organ Society)