River Brent - Definition and Overview

The Brent is a river in south-east England. It is a minor tributary of the River Thames.

The River Brent is about 20 miles long and its general course is north-east to south-west. It flows within Greater London for most of its length through what was formally the county of Middlesex. It gives its name to the London Borough of Brent and several specific locations.

The River Brent rises in low hills between Barnet and Enfield north of London. It passes through the north London suburbs until it reaches Hendon. Near here, the river supplies Brent Reservoir, a large water space set in parkland and known locally as 'the Welsh Harp'.

The River Brent then flows alongside the A406 North Circular Road to Brent Cross near Neasden, site of a massive shopping centre. From here, still closely following the North Circular, it passes Stonebridge Park, south of Wembley, and under an aqueduct carrying the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal. From Hanger Lane, the river turns westward for two miles before swinging south again to Hanwell. Here, it enters parkland and is spanned by a lofty viaduct carrying the main line railway from Paddington to the west of England.

A mile further on, the River Brent is joined from the west by the main line of the Grand Union Canal at the foot of a flight of locks. From here, the Brent is canalised - the river and canal pass through Osterley and a further three locks before joining the tidal River Thames at Brentford, a mile upstream of Kew Bridge.

See also

• Rivers of the United Kingdom