Uxbridge

Journey to the end of the Piccadilly line (normally also the end of the Metropolitan Line, but not today due to engineering works).

Uxbridge station is a 1933 design by the well-known Underground architect Charles Holden. The oft-photographed clock is at the end of the middle track, visible from both the platforms and the booking hall.

The booking hall is spacious and has a retro-modern feel to it.

Stepping outside of the station, the first building to strike you is the Market House, a Grade II* listed building completed in 1789. The clock high above in its tower could do with a bit of maintenance, but is functioning (and only a few minutes slow).

At the southern end of the High Street is the altogether more modern Civic Centre, home of Hillingdon council. Construction of this building began in 1973, using 2.8 million bricks [www.hillingdon.gov.uk], and was officially opened in April 1979.

The clocktower, however, originates from the earlier Middlesex County Council building on the site.

Negotiating the delightful subway (!) under the thoughtfully placed and urban fabric sensitive (!!!) dual carriageway brings you to St Andrew's church.

The church was designed by George Gilbert Scott, and was consecrated on 1 May 1865 [www.standrewsuxbridge.org]. And it has this clock:

Retracing our steps up the High Street, hidden behind the Market House is the church of St Margaret's. This is an altogether older church than St Andrews, dating back in parts to the 15th century.

Just along the High Street is the Pavilions shopping centre, although I reached it from the pedestrian ramps from the dual carriageway side (interesting wet patches and stains - another classic piece of 1970's "architecture"). Inside the centre is a rather bizarre tower with stonework doorways etc (real or fake I didn't stay long enough to investigate - readers of previous postings will know my dislike for shopping centres).

The clock itself is rather nice.

At the far end of the High Street are the offices of Tubervilles solicitors, with a good clock.

The summary of Uxbridge? Some good architecture, but rather ruined by 1960's / 70's planning. But clockwise, full marks for having a range a clocks in a small area, all of which were working and just about showing the correct time.