Blog
Spotlight on Langley – our estate agent’s view
Friday, January 13, 2017
Langley derives its name from two early English words: lang (long) and leah (wood or clearing). Langley was formed from several clearings including George Green and Middle Green which became residential areas, later merging into one village centred on the Grade I listed parish church in St Mary's Road which dates from 1150. World War I war artist Paul Nash (1889–1946) is buried in the churchyard there.
The Hawker Aircraft Company built a major factory and airfield at Langley in 1938. Over 8,000 military aircraft were manufactured at the site during World War II. The Hawker Tornado (1940), Typhoon (1940), Tempest (1942), Fury (1944), Sea Fury (1945) all made their first flights from Langley. The factory closed in 1958 and little of the factory or airfield remains today although street-names such as Spitfire Close and Hurricane Way are a reminder of the area's aviation past.
A range of excellent schools attract families to the area with primary schools such as Castleview, Parlaunt Park, Marish and the Holy Family Catholic Primary School and secondary education provided by the Outstanding (OFSTED) Langley Grammar, Upton Court Grammar, Langley Academy and St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar. East Berkshire College offers Further Education in the centre of the village.
The Harrow Market precinct and local shops cater for most daily needs; more extensive shopping centres can be found in nearby Slough, Windsor and Uxbridge. Popular pubs and restaurants in Langley and the nearby village of Colnbrook include The Montagu Arms, The Red Lion and The Ostrich - a historic coaching inn, and there’s an array of restaurants at Windsor also within easy reach.
Langley has a variety of sport and leisure facilities on offer with a leisure complex, pool and gymnasium in Parlaunt Road and a choice of golf courses, including Farnham Park, Richings Park and Iver, with Wexham Park Golf Centre also nearby. A new multi-purpose sports centre is open to the local community in the evenings and at weekends, managed by Absolutely Fitness in partnership with East Berkshire College. It offers a fully equipped gym, sports hall, dance studio, changing rooms and an outdoor games area.Sailing, windsurfing and watersports are all available locally at Queen Mary Reservoir and there are waterside walks along the Grand Union Canal.
Award winning Langley Park and Black Park offer acres of scenic open space for walking and outdoor pursuits. Langley Park is an 18th-century landscape park with woodland spanning 52 hectares open to the public. Follow the trail guides to learn more about the historic background of the park. There are plenty of buggy and wheelchair friendly paths and cycling is permitted, except in the Temple Gardens and Arboretum.
A full range of property is available in Langley from contemporary studio apartments to detached period family homes. The centre of Langley has a wealth of Victorian properties retaining much architectural character. Throughout each decade since the 1930s housing stock has continued to develop creating a thriving cosmopolitan community. To see all the properties that The Frost Partnership has for sale or to let in the Langley area, please visit frostweb.co.uk.
