…Plus points - 3 useful bus routes to Hammersmith, Chiswick and Richmond. You are never more than 30 minutes walk to the River Thames or Syon / Osterley Parks. Several large supermarkets within 30 minute walk (Tescos at Brentford or Hayes End, Asda in Hounslow, Somerfield in Brentford).

Mostly pleasant tree-lined roads North of the Fire Station and London Road and East of the tube-line and traditional cottages South of Isleworth BR. Restaurants generally on the up. Pubs generally OK especially Red Lion in Linkfield Road, Town Wharf by the river or Coach & Horses near Syon Park. Twickenham stadium nearby (beware parking problems if you decide to live South of Old Isleworth along Twickenham Road).  Generally safer than Chiswick and Brentford although a few hot-spots.

Down points - Scruffy London Road with little choice in shops - best go to St Johns Road or South Street for fairer prices.

Demographic is rougher towards the stadium towards Brentford near Syon Lane station on the London Road. But bigger houses for your money and a bit tasty towards Hounslow Bus Station, along London Road/Bridge Road end.

Piccadilly line is unreliable but regular - Osterley tube a bit deserted at night though. Not much in the way of al-fresco or cosmopolitan wining and dining but if you want it, it is a short bus ride to St Margarets and Richmond.

The flight-path is quieter towards Chiswick end and hideous at the Hounslow end although the paths are rotated every few months for relief!

Above all - an unfashionable and quiet area that shows promise. You get what you pay for.
Paul

…It might just explain the number of convents, for those inconvenient affairs, and the schools, for those inconvenient children. My guess is that DNA tests in the village would find a few residents more royal than the Windsors. That explains why the schools are so good. You never used to know whether you might need that illegitimate son as an ambassador or to run one of the colonies.

I guess the riverside and the old working quaysides explain the number of pubs. Everyone mentions the London Apprentice and the Town Wharf, which are both lovely, but I like the Castle and also the Swan, next to the old village square. It really depends on whether you fancy something cold on a sunny day or whether you are settling in with your friends for the evening.

I love the area, my neighbours are wonderful and I still enjoy the train journey in to Waterloo. I look on Isleworth as my compensation for having to work in the city for the next 10 years.
Giles

... At first I found the planes overhead annoying and Mogden smelly. After a short while I got used to the planes and Mogden doesn't smell anymore (or I got used to that too - who knows?)

I can now say honestly that it is a great neighbourhood that is constantly improving. We have good schools (my daughter goes to the small and well run St. Marys), some good cafes and restaurants (Manns Beijing, The Deli, Greedies, Jaipur Spice and Marios - great fish and chips).

I have always loved the access to parks and open spaces in this area. We are spoilt for choice with Redlees, Syon Park and river toll paths to Richmond and Deer Park within walking distance. (My sister lives in Harrow and has to put her kids in the car to get to a park!)

There are no shortage of good pubs for a drink in the evening. For a small area, Isleworth boasts its own Arts and Crafts Gallery, Library, swimming pool, gym and countless classes going on everywhere. Good dentists (still taking NHS) a medical centre and West Mid Hospital up the road. I can't think of anything I need that I can't access in this neighbourhood.

I can see why Isleworthians like to keep this little haven a secret from everyone else!
Bernadette

... We've lived here for 3 and a half years in Linkfield Road and it is a great place to live. Me and my husband both commute into London and there are now 4 trains an hour (there were only 2 an hour when we first moved in).

We've made lots of friends through our local pub and there are some good places to eat in the Thai restaurant in the Bridge, the Dhaba and Everest to name but a few. I've heard the Coffee Pot is also very good.

Definitely a great choice to move from our flat in Twickenham as we now have a small pretty garden and a better quality of life.
Carolyn

... When I moved out of my parents’ home, I wanted to stay local and found houses more affordable in Isleworth. I am now on my third and lucky enough to live in a cul-de-sac.

The developments in all the local areas have increased property value and have helped to make the whole area much more attractive. Literally on our doorstep are, in no particular order, the following, making this area a fantastic place to live:

...First we moved to Linkfield Road, which was a lovely Edwardian 2 bedroom terrace with St John's Gardens (park) about 200 yards away. Then we moved to Woodland Gardens only because we needed more room and this really is special.

All the 1930's houses are built in a doughnut shape with only two entry / exit roads so you don't have any idiots using it as a rat-run so the kids can play outside.

We have our own park, pavilion and tennis courts which are owned by the Woodland Estate residents (W.E.R.F.A. - Woodland Estate Residents Freeholder's Association) so we know it's not going to be sold off because we own part of it!

All in all, it's a very nice place.
G. Smith

... The Thames is a 2 min walk away and there are plenty of open spaces nearby.

This part, and Old Isleworth has an old fashioned feel to it (how many areas in London still have early closing Wednesday?) but Richmond is easy to reach for nightlife. Would like to see a few more shops on South Street though.
Liam

The other part of Isleworth has a great high street with a quaint old church, pub and small shops and the best shop in the world is 'St Johns'. It sells everything you need - wonderful veg and fruit etc. I will miss that when we leave.

It also has excellent schools - I'm a teacher, so I know a bit about it. But if you don't go to church it will be a problem. The Blue School is excellent and so is St Mary's, but don't even think of applying if you haven't been a regular church goer for 2 years.

The 'normal' school has had mixed reviews. Many of my friends have left there recently because of problems with continuity. The criticism may not be justified and many left because others left. I do have friends who are happy and very protective about it. To get an idea the Blue School is locally called the 'posh' school. Say no more.

As far as secondary goes. For boys it is Isleworth and Syon - my son went there. It is fine and he got his GCSEs and found great friends. For girls it's harder unless you go to church. Gumley Catholic and Green School CofE are great. St Marks mixed is also great. If not church goers, it's Brentford School for Girls, but I've heard mixed reviews about that.

I have found many like minded friends here and will be sad to leave for that. But we will leave. I am not happy about planes. It is true that the sewage works smell is hardly ever an issue and they are funded to cap them so it can only get better.
T Bourfield

Highly recommended to anyone who cannot afford areas such as Twickenham and Teddington. I certainly do not feel doomed to be living in Isleworth and am glad I do not have snobby neighbours!!!

Let's not forget Isleworth has the beautiful Syon Park and the great riverside pubs as well as loads of quaint shops - and don't let anyone tell you there's no community spirit, because our neighbours are great! Oh, and if anyone says the sewerage works smell, it's now being covered up and will soon be a thing of the past!!

One final tip, get as close to Old Isleworth as you can as this is definitely the nicest part. It's right next to the Thames tow path which takes you on a very scenic walk all the way to Richmond!!

Isleworth has lovely parks, great transport links, sweet local shops, fantastic riverside walks and is just a short stroll from Richmond (but you'll pay half the price for your house!!) In terms of value for money, it really takes some beating!!

One tip though, get as near to Old Isleworth as you can, it's definitely the best part!!

True it is becoming an up-and-coming area, with extensive development all over (Brentford, Isleworth and of course Hounslow), possibly a 'wise' option for first-time buyers!

However, if one is used to Teddington/Twickenham, one is doomed in Isleworth! Do not compromise on location

If you have to travel into the City, try and find somewhere between the tube and the train. There are a few pockets worth checking out for areas to live: the Isleworth/Osterley border puts you half between the train links, Old Town is a sweet place with a couple of fabulous pubs on the banks of the Thames and then the area around St Margaret's (more pricey).

But if you're looking that far south of Isleworth be aware of Middlesex Drainage Works just down the road; it's not a huge problem, but very occasionally on a still, humid, summer's night your nose can be sensitive to the slightly 'colourful' ambience - but hey, I once lived next to a farm in deepest, darkest Gloucestershire!
There are rumours that the local council are looking into ways of suppressing the odours.

As for the aeroplanes - give it a while and you get used to them. If you've ever lived on an A or B road, the noise of a bus can be more shocking - the 'planes tend to fade in and out at a much slower pace.

Another positive point is that Brentford (to the west) is currently undergoing huge re-development and Hounslow (to the east) is also apparently about to be re-built; so here's hoping Isleworth will reap the benefits - being the town sandwiched in-between!

I'm sure Isleworth has potential. I hope the local authorities realise that! A humble voice-over sounding a little like an estate agent in this text, but developing a big passion for the place!

Judging by all the new builds going up around the Old Isleworth area this place is becoming another hot spot for those who are tired of paying high prices for small spaces in neighbouring Richmond, Kew and St Margarets.

Rumours of new stores coming to the high street definitely must be fuelled by all the young professionals that have moved into the new builds.

I remember the Red Lion Pub because my uncle's bike was always parked there for a quick pint on his way home from work.
They were happy days. On my birthday they used to fly the flag from the brewery only because it was St George's Day. There were no houses in Old Isleworth at all but the London Apprentice was there and the old Northumberland Arms.

Once again with the sewage works, no real difference to St. Margarets and with recent improvements, you can't really notice the smell... we certainly haven't!

On a serious note, there is a lot happening here, very easy to walk to Richmond and the prices continue to rise!!

I know that the area has probably changed since I've left, but
the memories I have there have stayed with me forever, and I plan
on visiting my boyhood haunts with my family in the near future.

Peter McGowan

With all the local amenities and excellent bus service to Richmond and Twickenham I can't think of a better place to live and invest my money.

As for the water works the wind blows predominantly towards Twickenhan, so I've never smelt a thing. Give it a chance, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I've lived here for 15 years and like it enough to have stayed. The aircraft noise is the only real downer but it's just about tolerable at present levels. However, the aspect of a house as well as its proximity to the flight path are factors to consider if you are buying.

It's true, the smell from the sewage works (by Twickenham Rugby ground) is rarely noticeable in the St John's Road area. It can be quite bad in other parts.

The London Apprentice is a great pub and the Town Wharf should be but somehow doesn't seem to hack it. But there are no decent bars and very few good restaurants (Manns Beijing is probably the best - excellent chinese cuisine but you pay for it). The area has gone up market (I couldn't afford to buy my house at today's prices) but this is not yet reflected in the infrastructure.

The river and plentiful parks provide great recreational amenity. For good enjoyable workouts try cycling along the river, up through the gardens in Richmond and and around the Park (about 12 hilly miles, mostly off road) or cycling to Teddington (4.5 miles) to row or canoe on one of the prettiest reaches of the Thames.

We are so happy here and felt at home very quickly. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of buying/renting a place near enought to commute comfortably into London and yet having the open spaces at the weekend.

As for the smell we've hardly noticed it except for a couple of times.

The price of property is bound to go up in Isleworth as people begin to see that living 5 mins away from both town centres can save around 100k. Check this out for yourself - now are you interested?

The schools are good, it's ideally placed for Osterley and Syon parks, plus the Thames riverside. Neighbouring Richmond, St Margarets and Twickenham are very accessible without having to pay an arm and a leg for good quality property.

What it does need however is a couple of good restaurants or bars to give the area a real boost. Anybody listening ?

There are a large number of Victorian properties especially in Old Isleworth and on the ever popular St Johns estate. Isleworth's proximtiy to Richmond, St Margarets and Twickenham make it an ideal location to enjoy the facilities provided by these areas.

Victorian property in the area has become very desirable over the last few years. Price pressure has forced prospective buyers in St Margarets and Twickenham to look at Isleworth were they can get more for their money.

As a consequence, home owners in Isleworth have seen significant returns on their investments eg a two bed end of terrace purchased two years ago at £125,000 was recently sold for £210,000.