When Eastcote or Ruislip was inhabited is undetermined, but there is no evidence of occupation in prehistoric or Roman times and it is generally considered that most of the heavy clay lands of Middlesex, once covered with forest, were not inhabited until the seventh century.

 There was arable and meadow to the south and pasture to the north and in the centre along the valley of the Pinn was the area where the people of Eastcote had their homes and their enclosed fields. It was the obvious site for a settlement, for in the Pinn and the springs near it was an unfailing source of water.

The inhabitants lived in clusters of small hamlets, within this inhabited area there were a number of roadside wastes which could be used for pasture. One was close to Eastcote House and it comes into the records on two occasions. All timber growing on the waste belonged to the lord of the manor. John Hawtrey, of Eastcote House, had planted 200 elm trees on this land and in 1653 the trees were granted to him by King's College in consideration of the fidelity and good service of Hawtrey as bailiff. The second occasion was in 1806 when the enclosure commissioners granted this piece of waste to the descendant of John Hawtrey, Ralph Deane. If you go into the grounds of Eastcote House you will see the hulks of one or two old elms which may be those planted by John Hawtrey.

Our journey starts on Cuckoo Hill going down the hill from Cuckoo Hill Farm, as we leave Pinner behind and travel in a southerly direction towards Eastcote we pass Mistletoe Farm on the right, this magnificent 17th century farm house standing in beautiful secluded gardens is set back from the road and is partly hidden by tree's. In 1851 the farm house was occupied by John Goodman aged 52.

St Catherine’s Farm just in Catlins Lane was probably built in the late 16^th Century, the original frontage of the farm extended for about 150 yards of the lanes total 590 yards according to the ordnance survey of 1864. The name possible derives from when the land and other land in the manor of Ruislip belonged to St Catherine’s Abbey of Rouen.                 

Ramin this house was an Inn with two attached cottages until around 1924 when it was converted into a single dwelling. Evidence from original wooden beams would suggest that this house dates from around the 15^th Century. Deeds mention that in 1800 it was an inn occupied by two brothers. The origin of the name is unknown but would suggest that at one time it was the Ram Inn.  

Mr Bertram Park a well known rose grower used to live in The Old Shooting Box, this house was composed originally of three small cottages, there was a further three in front, one being the Eastcote Post Office in the 1860-70’s. The title deeds of 1710 state that the copyholder had to go to the Ruislip Manor House, and pay a yearly rent of eighteen pence. 

The long weatherboarded house is Eastcote Grange this building which used to be a separate house and barn dating back to the 16^th Century. The two were joined in the 1920’s by Mr & Mrs C.N.G Dore. The barn at the end is now offices.

The Case is Altered inn was originally a farmhouse thought to have been built at the end of the 16^th Century. Evidence of its age is found in its wooden oak beams made from ships timbers of Elizabeth 1^st period. First mention of the inn being a beer house appears in the Uxbridge Licensing Records of 1828. The building was reconstructed in 1890 where further evidence of its age were identified by the timbers and bricks used in the stables and the threshing floor.  

Haydon Hall (now demolished) can be traced back to the 15^th Century when Haydon featured in the Manor Court Rolls. In 1614 in James 1^st reign it is mentioned of a William Nicholas of Haydon’s acquiring land. Haydon Hall was built in 1630 by Lady Alice Dowager Countess of Derby. A noteworthy resident of Haydon Hall was Dr Adam Clarke from 1824 to 1832 he was the founder of Methodism in Eastcote. Mrs Bennett Edwards a later resident of Haydon Hall held annual summer treats for 500 children of the area. On 26^th July 1893 she provided refreshments, games & amusements to the children of Pinner, Eastcote and Ruislip during the holidays. Haydon Lodge was designed in 1879 by George & Peto, and was built upon arches because of its close proximity to the river Pinn which was liable to flood. Special attention should be made to the wooden carvings on the vertical pillars on the porch. Allegedly these were all done in situ - some of them representing the constituent nations of the British Isles in national costume. The piper on the corner is fairly obviously Scottish, whilst the plump woman next to him singing is apparently Welsh, Ireland represented by a figure with a clay pipe.

Eastcote House (now demolished) was the home of the Hawtrey’s and their descendants from 1525. A Dovecot was built, without license, in the grounds of Eastcote House by John Hawtrey. Usually only Lords of the manor held the right to keep doves and pigeons for their meat – Ralph (1570-1638) was granted a license in 1601, an indication of his standing. The present Dovecot dates from the mid 1700’s and contains a potence, a stout post aiding the collection of eggs from the nesting niches. Within the grounds of Eastcote House stands a red brick and timber 17^th Century Coach House a remnant of the service buildings which were grouped around the courtyard at the rear of the house.

Source's of information: WAG Kemp 'The History of Eastcote', Walter Druett 'Ruislip Northwood through the Ages', Eileen M Bowlt 'Ruislip Past',

'Victoria History for the County of Middlesex', London Metropolitan Archives.

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