Hillingdon Heritage

02/11/2026

A new month means a new letter! November brings us the letter O for... Observer Corps

Stationed in the cabins at the Battle of Britain Bunker, overlooking the Plotting Room, was an Observer Corps (OC) liaison. The OC were crucial to the air defence of Britain during the Battle of Britain and were known as the eyes and ears on the ground for the RAF.

A volunteer force, they were positioned on hills and roofs of buildings and were equipped with a tin hat, binoculars, and a post instrument, looking into the sky. The OC would provide information on incoming enemy aircraft including height, size of raid, and location. Using their aircraft identification skills, they could also identify the type of aircraft (fighter or bomber). This information would prove crucial to the decisions made at Uxbridge to send RAF fighters up to intercept the enemy.

A year after the Battle of Britain, the OC became the Royal Observer Corps. Their contribution was crucial throughout the rest of the Second World War. They continued to operate beyond this period, throughout the Cold War, before being stood down in 1995.

📸 Post instrument on display in Visitor Centre (ROCA)

To discover more about the volunteer force who helped to defend British skies, come and visit us! More info here: https://buff.ly/ff2upAt

29/10/2026

Did you know the pub we know today as the Malt Shovel only adopted its current name in 2001?

Nestled next to the bridge just north of Cowley Lock, this quaint little pub was known as The Shovel Inn for most of its history, a name evocative of canal navigators whose picks and shovels helped shape Cowley’s local landscape.

Tracing census records reveals generations of families connected to this historic inn, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. For example, it appears that William Nixon was in 1914 arrested for his part in a criminal deal involving stolen hay. Piecing together the records and snippets of information we have we can ascertain that his wife, Hannah, divorced Nixon following his arrest and married the next publican to take on the Inn, Theophilus Edward. Once hot gossip is now letters on the pages found in our archive- left for us to theorise, ponder, and imagine.

Have you got any memories of the Shovel Inn or Malt Shovel? Share them below 👇

28/10/2026

Join us this half-term and get stuck in to a range of activities across our heritage sites!

✂️Get crafty and design your own Coat of Arms at Hillingdon Museum. Monday-Sunday, 11-3. No booking required.
🦇Create your own witchy paper aeroplane, bat glider or pumpkin flying mask at the Battle of Britain Bunker. Monday-Sunday, 10-4. No booking required.
🎃Follow our history themed pumpkin trail at Manor Farm House. Saturday, 10-4. No booking required.
📖For younger visitors, join Pilot Tally-Ho and friends at Pipsqueaks Toddler Story Sessions. For 18 months-3 years, but younger babies welcome. Friday-Saturday, 10:30-11:30. £2.50 per child (each includes 2 adults).
👣Explore the Bunker on a family friendly tour, which are more relaxed, shorter, and geared towards younger minds. Recommended for 7-11 years. Thursday-Saturday. Prices vary, but under 16s free.

🔗 For more information and tickets, visit Discover Hillingdon https://buff.ly/FLdASgN

28/10/2026

There is less than a week left to apply to join our team!✨

We are looking for an Archivist to help preserve and develop our unique archive collections while supporting residents, researchers, and visitors across our sites.

Apply by 01 November 👉 https://buff.ly/fqlEnFO

We are hiring!✨️

We are looking for an Archivist to join our Collections Team! Help preserve and develop our unique archive collections while supporting residents, researchers and visitors across our heritage sites.

Apply by 01 November 👉 https://buff.ly/fqlEnFO

28/10/2026

Your celebration, your way❤️

The Great Barn, Ruislip is now taking bookings for 2027 and 2028 ceremonies and celebrations. From intimate gatherings to memorable milestone events, our experienced team will work with you to create a bespoke celebration that makes your day truly unforgettable.

📍A unique historic venue
✨Tailored celebrations designed around you
🗓️Bookings now open for 2027 and 2028!

Get in touch at [email protected] and start planning your special day.

28/10/2026

Get into the Halloween spirit this week and join us for a historical pumpkin trail at Manor Farm, Ruislip.

Follow the trail and discover pumpkins decorated to represent different periods of local history. From Tudor fashion to the Swinging Sixties, there is something fun for all the family.

🗓️ Saturday 31 October
⏰ 10:00 - 16:00
🎟️ FREE, no booking required

23/10/2026

It's only month until Manor Farm Christmas Festival!🎄

Step into Christmas as Manor Farm transforms for the festive season! Bring the whole family for a heart warming Christmas adventure. Take part in enchanting crafts, heart-warming storytelling, a Christmas sing-along with Elsa from Frozen and visit Father Christmas in his cosy grotto.

🎟️ Tickets are £14 per child (each child ticket includes free entry for up to two adults). General entry tickets (not including Santa’s Grotto) available at £8 per child.
👑 Hillingdon Heritage Family Membership holders get 2 FREE child tickets (up to 4 adult tickets).

🔗 Book your tickets now👉 https://buff.ly/ztDyQLF

22/10/2026

Did you know that under what is now Hillingdon Road once stood Uxbridge Vine Street Station?🚂

Originally opened as the northern terminus of the Great Western Railway’s Uxbridge Branch, the station included a single-line brick and slate engine shed, a coal yard, turntable, water tank, toilets, a first-class waiting room, and a dedicated ladies’ waiting room.

The railway connected Uxbridge to the main line at West Drayton, running south of the town centre near Whitehall Road and Cleveland Road. In 1885, the Staines West Branch joined the route, and a station at Cowley was added in 1904. Passenger services continued until 1962, when the line from West Drayton was withdrawn and Vine Street Station closed. Goods trains continued for a short time afterwards, with the final freight services operating to Yiewsley until 8 January 1979. Vine Street itself was demolished in 1969 with little trace.

Do you remember Vine Street Station?

📸Locomotive at Vine Street, Uxbridge (1959)

21/10/2026

Stuck whilst researching your family tree?

Join us this weekend at Hillingdon Museum on 23 October for our popular 1:1 ancestry workshops. Whether you're researching your family tree, exploring the history of your home, or uncovering fascinating stories from your local area, our team can help you delve into the Hillingdon Archives and get you started using Ancestry and FindMyPast.

Check out the link in our bio for more infomation and to book your spot.

📅23 October
📍Hillingdon Museum (next door to Uxbridge Library)
💷£5 per person | FREE for Hillingdon Heritage Members
🔗https://buff.ly/pzZaiK9

20/10/2026