IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Tanglewood Close, STANMORE, HA7 3JA

The original Priory housed a cell of Augustinian Friars believed to be founded by Ranulf de Glanville in 1170. He was the first Englishman to be killed in the Crusades. The Priory was dissolved in the 1530s. After 1766, the house was built on higher ground to the north of the site of the original Priory. In the late 18th century, Sir John Soane was brought in to extend and refurbish the house. At the end of the 19th century it was converted into a hotel but this failed financially and from 1908 until 1924 the building was a girls' boarding school. From 1926 until 2008 it was owned by the Royal Air Force and during the Battle of Britain it was the headquarters of Fighter Command. The Air Chief Marshal, Sir Hugh Dowding, was based here as was the Operations Room. In 2013, Bentley Priory Museum was opened, focusing on Bentley Priory's pivotal role during the Battle of Britain and Sir Hugh Dowding. as well as many others. In 1926, the Priory Estate was split into lots and sold. The Air Ministry bought the Mansion House and 40 acres of land, with the remaining 240 acres sold for building purposes and Green Belt land. Parts of it are now a very exclusive estate. This is Mansion House Drive which is followed on the way from The Common to the Museum.

The original Priory housed a cell of Augustinian Friars believed to be founded by Ranulf de Glanville in 1170. He was the first Englishman to be killed in the Crusades. The Priory was dissolved in the 1530s. After 1766, the house was built on higher ground to the north of the site of the original Priory. In the late 18th century, Sir John Soane was brought in to extend and refurbish the house. At the end of the 19th century it was converted into a hotel but this failed financially and from 1908 until 1924 the building was a girls' boarding school. From 1926 until 2008 it was owned by the Royal Air Force and during the Battle of Britain it was the headquarters of Fighter Command. The Air Chief Marshal, Sir Hugh Dowding, was based here as was the Operations Room. In 2013, Bentley Priory Museum was opened, focusing on Bentley Priory's pivotal role during the Battle of Britain and Sir Hugh Dowding. as well as many others. In 1926, the Priory Estate was split into lots and sold. The Air Ministry bought the Mansion House and 40 acres of land, with the remaining 240 acres sold for building purposes and Green Belt land. Parts of it are now a very exclusive estate. This is Mansion House Drive which is followed on the way from The Common to the Museum.

Looking along Common Road.

A Spitfire and a Hurricane outside the WW2 headquarters of Fighter Command at Bentley Priory.

A road off Common Road to Avanti House Primary School.

Looking along The Common.

Near the 'highest point' in Middlesex!

The highest point in Middlesex, (on the border with Hertfordshire).