Uxbridge

Uxbridge ( /ˈʌksbrɪdʒ/) is a large town located in west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located 15 miles (24.1 km) west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It historically formed part of the parish of Hillingdon in the county of Middlesex and was a significant local commercial centre from an early time. As part of the suburban growth of London in the 20th century it expanded and increased in population, becoming a municipal borough in 1955 and has formed part of Greater London since 1965. Uxbridge is a significant retail and commercial centre, and is the location of Brunel University and the Uxbridge campus of Buckinghamshire New University. The town is close to the boundary with Buckinghamshire, which is locally the River Colne.

Several historical events have taken place in and around the town, including attempted negotiations between King Charles I and the Parliamentary Army. The location of these events, a public house, still stands and is named The Crown and Treaty in recognition of the event. Uxbridge also houses the Battle of Britain Bunker, from where the air defence of the south-east of England was coordinated during the Battle of Britain. Situated in RAF Uxbridge, the No. 11 Group Operations Room within the bunker took on a crucial rule during the battle and was later used during the D-Day landings.

The wards of Uxbridge North and Uxbridge South are used for election of councillors to Hillingdon Council and for statistical purposes. The Office of National Statistics recorded an approximate population figure for Uxbridge North of 12,357 in 2008, with 12,967 in Uxbridge South.