Goe no more to Brainford

Statue of cherubic children around a shield, with a large clock tower in the background, against a clear blue sky. The Gillette Building in Brentford.
A stone monument with an inscription, located in an urban area with buildings, trees, a parking lot, and pedestrians nearby, under a cloudy sky. The Brentford Monument.

Photographs by Alasdair Mackenzie.

Goe no more to Brainford
vnlesse you loue a Punke
for that wicked sinnefull towne
hath made me drunke
come follow me.

Thomas Ravenscroft (1609)

​Goe no more to Brainford is our ninth London walk. We go westward, to the old town of Brentford: more ancient than London, and on occasion more noisome. Join us for tranquil rivers, art deco wonders, proper pubs, and a poignant history of transience and travel.

For Robert, this is also a personal journey: his grandfather was born in Brentford in 1889 and he has been able to trace an outline of his family’s life, as watermen, basket-weavers and gas workers, through the history of the town.

‘We learnt so much and found it highly entertaining.’ Annie McCormack, landlady, The Brewery Tap (our second pub stop)

‘I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the walk on Saturday. Very informative and entertaining.’ Peter Kitchen

Building with a sign that reads 'Boatmen's Institute,' a brick chimney, trees framing the top, and three cars parked in front. Brentford, The Butts.
A white building with curved balconies and red window frames, featuring a clock tower with a Union Jack flag on top. The sign reads 'Madrid' and 'Copenhagen'. The Golden Mile, Brentford. JCDecaux building, Currys headquarters from 1936.