"Poor neglected Cricklewood" Cricklewood by kit_mc

Cricklewood Travel Guide: 4 reviews and 18 photos

Home Sweet Home

As there is absolutely nothing on VT about Cricklewood I thought I'd put the place on the world map and ramble some jottings (or should that be jot some ramblings??) down here. This is the area in which I have lived for the the last few years. Last year when I moved home, I in fact only moved just up the road, in fact quite literally a 5 minute walk away from deepest Cricklewood, closer to Willesden Green tube - saving me at least an extra few minutes in bed in the mornings -

... but have I left my heart in Cricklewood?

Cricklewood: no-one quite knows where it is... Say you live in Cricklewood, and people give you a look that says, 'I've HEARD OF Cricklewood, I know it exists and is not but a projection of my mind, but I really don't know WHERE THE HELL IT IS!'. The usual question is, 'Oh, isn't that rather far out?', to which the proud Cricklewood resident will reply, 'But no Darlink, it's Zone 2!'. You do kind of tire of saying, 'Just after Kilburn...', I must confess.

Cricklewood's Identity Crisis

Cricklewood under a different title?

Kilburn and Willesden Green, the areas that both border Cricklewood, well, people know of those because they have Tube stops, but poor old neglected Cricklewood, with its overground rail, just doesn't get the kudos... Indeed, in that way that you're not quite sure where one area ends in London and another begins, I may in fact still live in Cricklewood, because Cricklewood is more a postal district than a distinct area. So if Willesden Green doesn't really exist, and I really live in Cricklewood still, I don't mind. Of course, Willesden Green (NW2) is not to be confused with Willesden (NW10), which is, after all, practically Harlesden...

Oh, and thus the existential angst known as London postcode snobbery begins...

Cricklewood is not really a place tourists are likely to search out, unless perhaps they are fans of the writer Alan Coren whose Cricklewood based comedy books give an insight into the urbane nature of this little piece of London on the borders between City and Suburbia. Or you just like looking at a) gorgeous tree lined Edwardian streets or b) the rough and tumble of Cricklewood Broadway. But for those of you new to London who might end up actually living here at some stage - so that will most likely be those of you who are from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and, curiously, Poland - some info might be useful.

Cricklewood was well known in the 60's and 70's as being a place with a large Irish community. Being in London, it's a typically multi-cultural place, but the accents you'll hear the most here these days are as I infer above, probably Australian, South African and Eastern European. Also interestingly, parts of Cricklewood are in the London Borough of Brent, which is a London borough where over 50% of the residents are from ethnic minorities. So it's a pretty diverse place.

Quite a few local pubs, frequented mainly by ageing Irish and a new smart hotel has just been built. I've tended really to go to two places only here, see the tips bit shortly. For shopping, Brent Cross shopping centre and Kilburn High Road are 10 minutes away by bus in either direction.

Literary Cricklewood

Spring has sprung

'Rumbling under blackened girders, Midland, bound for Cricklewood, / Puffed its sulphur to the sunset where that Land of Laundries stood.'
John Betjeman - Parliament Hill Fields

'Early in the morning, late in the century, Cricklewood Broadway.'
Zadie Smith - White Teeth

Sights nearby include Dollis House and my glorious window boxes.

No doubt these pages will remain an ongoing labour of love.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Still Zone 2 Darlink!
In a nutshell:Somewhere to live rather than be a tourist!

Intro Updated Nov 6, 2007
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Reviews (4)

Sushi-Say Japanese Restaurant - Cricklewood

Local Authentic Japanese Food Restaurants (4)

This small restaurant doesn't look like much outside, but inside it's quite a posh little joint that's been popular... more travel advice

King Sitric, Crown Moran Hotel Cricklewood - Cricklewood

Stylish Eating in... er... Cricklewood. Restaurants (4)

Over what seemed like an age, but was possibly only about 18 months, I daily watched the Crown Moran Hotel being built... more travel advice

Weekday evening cheap grub. Restaurants (4)

This is a Local restaurant for Local people (League of Gentleman reference, apolgies...). Well, it's local in that most... more travel advice

Overrated Gastro-Pub Restaurants (4)

This place has all the possibility but doesn't come up with the goods. It opened about 2 years ago, in Willesden Green... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 17, 2007

6 photos

St Patrick's Day 2007

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Comments (7)

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retlaw12 Nov 27, 2012 at 8:54 PM

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chocolatebuttons May 10, 2007 at 5:54 AM

I remember that bus... wonder why. I have heard about Cricklewood before going to London Via Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, who happened to have a very beautiful song about Willesden and Cricklewood. And Brent, well I still have my library card.
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richox2 Apr 3, 2007 at 11:47 PM

I was born in Yew Grove right up against the Crown Hotel. You seem to have most facts right, If you want to know more juicy bits ,mail me Richo
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craic Dec 30, 2006 at 5:39 AM

o i love alan coren - and league of gentlemen
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nw10er Nov 6, 2006 at 2:45 PM

"..oh the craic was good in cricklewood and they would n't leave the crown..." a great cricklewood page. the borderline between cricklewood willesden green? i would say the infamous melrose avenue. north of that: cricklewood, south: willesden green.
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uglyscot Mar 29, 2006 at 12:38 AM

How can you say Willesden Green tube station is nice... and you have to go uphill to get to it. Now Hampstead....
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planxty Jul 4, 2005 at 1:48 AM

Thanks for the warning - one to avoid iIfeel. Six quid for a sandwich? In Cricklewood? fergy.