Did you know that...
St Laurence Church is one of the oldest buildings in Cowley. The Domesday Book from 1086 has a recording of the church that is now listed as a Grade II building. A 13th-century document mentions a Lucy Peachey having some ties to the church. It seems that a part of this UB8 area borrowed the name as it was known as Cowley Peachey. Sixteen-century records mention 36 people living in houses here. Two centuries later, the area had 109 residents. In the 19th century, 214 people were living here. In 1891, 322 inhabited this area. After it was enlarged in 1901, the population grew to 869.
Cowley Field was enclosed in 1796. Packet boats ran through this area at the start of the 19th century. The 1804 Packet Boat Inn takes its name after this practice. The Uxbridge railway branch runs through this North West London area since 1856, however, the local station opened in 1904. Urban development began after World War I. The records mention 1,170 residents in 1931. Many houses were built and the population rose to 3,600 in 20 years.
Cowley has 16 listed buildings. Cowley House and the Manor Farm are some of the most important. The primary lecture building of Brunel University is also found here. Old Vine Cottage and Maygood’s Farm are from the 18th century or earlier. The Crown pub in High Street is from the 16th century. The Malt Shovel is another local pub. It’s a Grade II listed building from the 18th century. The nearby Little Britain Lake is home to rare water birds such as the great crested grebe. Barton Booth, a renowned actor of the 18th century, was born in Cowley. Footballer Jim Taylor is another famous person born here. Racing driver Robin Widdows hails from the area as well. John Rich who is regarded as the father of English pantomime is another notable resident. He lived here in the 18th century.
