London Borough of Hillingdon

Hillingdon is a borough in western London covering a large area that includes residential districts, parks, and London Heathrow Airport. The borough connects urban settlements with more rural zones along the River Colne, with towns like Uxbridge, Hayes, and Ruislip each maintaining their own character.

The borough was created in 1965 by merging several former districts including Uxbridge and Hayes. The construction of Heathrow Airport in the 1940s transformed the economy and appearance of the area profoundly.

The name Hillingdon comes from an Old English personal name combined with the suffix for hill settlement. Families today use the parks along the River Colne for walking and cycling, while aircraft pass regularly overhead due to the airport proximity.

The borough is accessible via several Underground lines running into central London, with some journeys taking over an hour. Visitors exploring the parks should wear comfortable shoes, as paths can be long and spread out across open areas.

British Airways established its worldwide headquarters at the Waterside building in Harmondsworth, located directly at the edge of the airport. The economic strength of the borough is significantly shaped by this concentration of aviation companies and related services.

Location: Greater London

Inception: April 1, 1965

Website: https://hillingdon.gov.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.54361,-0.47611

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:05