HOME | LAST 100 POSTS | CONTACT ME

Category: Harlington

  • Harlington – Church of St Peter and St Paul (War Memorial)

    Harlington – Church of St Peter and St Paul (War Memorial)

    This is the war memorial at Harlington church which was designed by Charles Oldrid Scott and unveiled in 1920. At the time it was noted that it stood overlooking the main street so that it would be seen as a reminder for future generations. Harlington has changed somewhat since then, the road has been diverted because the M4 was built across it, the town has been moved out of Middlesex and the war memorial had to be updated with those died in the Second World War and the Korean War. I’m not sure what the friends and family of those who lost their lives would have thought about the changes ahead for their town.

    I was going to pull out just one name, in this case Horace White since that was the nearest to my name, but his name isn’t on the CWGC site and I can’t find out anything about him. There are a few Horace Whites in the wider area, but the only standard search identifies him only from being on this memorial which is all a little circular. So that’s another rabbit hole I’ll have to go down to resolve that to my satisfaction…. Also, more prosaically, I need to get out more.

  • Harlington – Church of St Peter and St Paul

    Harlington – Church of St Peter and St Paul

    Whilst meandering to the hotel last night, I made the effort to walk around the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Harlington for the first time. The church was mostly built in the twelfth century and is mentioned in the Domesday Book, so there was probably a Saxon religious building here as well. The chancel was rebuilt in the fourteenth century, the tower added in the fifteenth, and the porch in the sixteenth, with a Victorian restoration and a new north aisle added in 1880.

    I find this an intriguing building as it was once a country church in a rural setting and now it’s a few hundred metres from Heathrow Airport and around fifty metres from the M4. However, this is what the area looked like around 180 years ago when everything was much more peaceful in this area. I think it’s fair to say that anyone from 180 years ago the main drama would have been someone with strong opinions on turnips compared to today’s A380 or similar flying overhead.

  • Harlington – White Hart

    After the disappointing service at the nearby Botwell Inn, this was the other option in the Good Beer Guide. It’s a large venue which is over 200 years old (although no doubt much expanded over that time), retaining an almost country pub feel to it, despite its now urban surroundings.

    The pub sign at the restaurant end of the building, although I hadn’t initially distinguished that there were two entrances. The whole set-up is actually marginally confusing, as despite the large size there weren’t very many tables for drinkers, being a bit dominated by tables for diners. I assume that when it’s quiet the pub doesn’t mind drinkers using their restaurant tables, but I didn’t find it immediately obvious.

    The beer selection wasn’t particularly exciting, but the staff member was talking about the options that were going on later that day. The options that he spoke of sounded excellent and included a porter. However, given what was present at the time of my visit, I settled for half a pint of London Pride.

    The London Pride was well presented in a branded Fuller’s glass and it tasted well-kept and was at the appropriate slightly chilled temperature. It cost £2.10 which seemed a reasonable price given that the pub is nearby to Heathrow Airport.

    The customer service in this pub was excellent, perhaps the local Wetherspoons could try and pinch some of the White Hart’s staff. There was a warm welcome when I entered the pub, immediate acknowledgement at the bar, prompt service, engaging service and a feel of professionalism.

    I was tempted by the food menu, but decided to refrain on this occasion, but the reviews of the pub’s food are routinely positive. Specifically I decided to refrain as my phone battery was low and the pub has installed power points which can’t be used by the public. It’s their choice, but they’re probably pushing against the tide if they wish to continue that policy.

    The pub was clean and organised throughout, so it felt a comfortable environment. The strongest element here was though the customer service, it was friendly, personable and immediate, so I’d return here again.