History of The Orchard in Ruislip – 1905 to 2024
The Orchard in Ruislip is an attractive building on a prominent site within Ruislip Village Conservation Area. It represents the transformation of Ruislip during the twentieth century from a rural village known as King’s End to part of Ruislip a modern London suburb today.
Ruislip Village Conservation Area
The Ruislip Village Conservation Area (“RVCA”) was originally designated in 1969 and contained the medieval core of the village. It was extended in both 1973 and 2008 and now includes the High Street and parts of the surrounding residential areas.
The map shows the RVCA in green, with The Orchard and its grounds in purple: The Orchard and its grounds (including the locally listed Spitfire memorial) are entirely within the conservation area.
History of The Orchard
Research from London Borough of Hillingdon’s planning archives indicate that planning permission was granted in March 1905, architect unknown. It started life as the Orchard Bungalow as shown in the photo below.

The Orchard Bungalow, Ruislip – A. Cross, Proprietor. Coles, Photographer (Watford). Photo from www.ruisliponline.co.uk
It was a simple single storey structure which was opened by Mr. A.C. Cross in 1905 to cater for the day trippers coming out of inner London on the newly opened extension to the Metropolitan Line between Harrow and Uxbridge. The extension and Ruislip station opened in 1904 and soon established Ruislip as a popular location for a day out in the country for those living in the overcrowded inner city.
In 1905 a new road King’s End Avenue was built (now known as Kingsend). The new road separated Orchard Cottage and Fiveways. The Fiveways in Ickenham Road is locally listed ( details in PDF) and Orchard Cottage (65/ 65A Kingsend) is Grade II Listed ( Historic England ref 1180904)
Planning history from LBH archives
The Orchard Bungalow was a favourite location for works outings and Sunday School trips as it was a teetotal establishment. Even if the weather was unkind the visitors could shelter in a large pavilion capable of accommodating 500 people. There are references in the local newspapers to large groups of children arriving on special excursion trains at Ruislip station and then marching to the Orchard Bungalow sometimes accompanied by a band.
By 1912 the Orchard Bungalow was owned by Mr and Mrs Raymont and The Fiveways was also owned by the Orchard Bungalow to house the staff working across the road. The establishment became so popular that planning application number 669 was approved on 23/12/1912 for a “new bedroom addition“. So another storey was added to the building.

The Orchard Bungalow garden
From 1929 and during the 1930s the building changed ownership to F M Harwood Esq and various planning applications were approved to adapt to changes in the area. There had been so much development that Ruislip no longer attracted visitors to come for a day in the country. Instead the new residents living in all these new houses wanted modern more sophisticated facilities. In October 1929 planning application number 2921 was approved for a billiard room, dance hall, restaurant, bar, lounge and space for an orchestra on the ground floor and 11 bedrooms, sitting room and bathrooms on the first floor. Other additions were added to the building up to the mid 1930s when the Ansell family took over ownership. The Orchard became well known as a high class restaurant and hotel, which was famous throughout the area and as far as north London for its dinner dances and cabarets. During World War Two it was a favourite meeting place for RAF personnel and Polish airmen from nearby Northolt Aerodrome. In recognition of the contribution of the Polish airmen a replica Spitfire and memorial stone was erected in front of the building. Both were locally listed in 2010 (Cross reference??)
In 1971 the Orchard became part of the Beefeater Steak House chain and the Premier Inn was added at the rear. All the adaptations to the original building above mirrored the changes in Ruislip. The building represents a living history of this part of Ruislip.
References
Ruislip Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society Two journals contain articles that summarise the early history of the site:
- The 1986 Journal contains an interesting section titled Development of King’s End And Wood Lane starting on page 11. The Orchard Bungalow is referenced on page 13 and page 17 that explains that “The Orchard Bungalow tea gardens opened in 1905 by Albert Cross.
- The 1987 Journal has a section starting on page 17 titled Northern Half of the High Street, Wood Lane and Ickenham Road triangle by the late Eileen Bowlt. Page 20 explains that King’s End Avenue (now called Kingsend) was built in 1905.
Locally listed buildings
- LB Hillingdon has an index of all Locally listed buildings in Ruislip
- No 187 Fiveways see PDF for details
- Grade 11 listed building Orchard Cottage 65/ 65A Kingsend ref 1180904 at Historic England
- The Spitfire memorial on the site of The Orchard is also locally listed
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