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Brent has received a sore review (Picture: Shutterstock / Peter Titmuss) ‘The place is an absolute sh**hole.’ This was the scathing opinion of one Brent resident after they found out the borough had been named the worst in London. It ranked dead last below the likes of Hounslow, which has been dubbed an ‘absolute toilet’ and Newham, which locals call a ‘cesspit’. Despite being known for its famous Wembley Stadium and leafy Queen’s Park, Brent failed to impress in four main categories: great outdoors, hospitality, culture and activities, and good vibes. Brent scored a measly 38 points for its outdoor offerings, 14 points for hospitality, 38 for culture and activities, and 58 points for good vibes – meaning it scored 148 points overall. This is a stark contrast to the winner of the best London borough in ranking by The Telegraph, Richmond upon Thames, which scored 261 points for its outdoor offerings, 102 for hospitality, 248 for culture and activities, and 180 for good vibes – giving it an overall score of 791. It seems many residents agree with the ranking, with Reddit users branding it ‘rather uninteresting’ and an ‘eyesore of a borough’. Brent Reservoir offers some nice walks despite the negative reviews (Picture: Shutterstock / Wirestock Creators) ‘Brent is a dump, been in the area a few decades now, about to decamp for good soon,’ wrote one Redditor. ‘I lived there over 15 years ago, for about three to four years, it was an eyesore of a borough with some really rough areas,’ added another. One even questioned: ‘Is there anywhere nice in that borough? Redeeming qualities Well, for all the hate it’s getting, the mayor’s former London Borough of Culture in 2020 does have some redeeming qualities. It’s home to the stunning Neasden Temple, which was carved in India before being assembled in London. Also known as the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, those who don’t practice the Hindu faith are also welcome, and visitors can learn more about about the origins of the religion. The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir temple (Picture: by Tim Graham/Getty Images) Of course, we have to mention the home of English football, the 90,000 capacity Wembley stadium. Even if you don’t have tickets to see your favourite world-class artist, or cheer for your favourite team, you still don your England shirt and tour the stadium. You’ll get the chance to peek inside player dressing rooms, stand in the tunnel and even visit the royal box. Wembley stadium gets Brent some major points in its ranking (Picture: Shutterstock / Vittorio Caramazza) Just a stones throw away you’ll also find the London Designer Outlet, which is the perfect place for shopaholics, and there are plenty of places to grab a bite, from burgers to dim sum. For those who prefer something a little less mainstream there’s Lexi Cinema, a picturehouse run by volunteers which shows everything from blockbuster movies to foreign films. @travellingmadd Sunday at the Queen’s Parks Farmers Market 🥕 Open every Sunday 10am – 2pm So much fresh produce for reasonable prices. Everything from gin tasting 🍸to freshly made donuts 🍩 , £1 oysters 🦪 , small businesses and so much more. Also the area has so many nice cafe’s pubs and stores around, making it the perfect place to spend your Sunday ☕️☺️ #london #queenspark #queensparklondon #queensparkmarket #freshproduce #londonmarket #marketslondon #londonfoodmarket #thingstodoinlondon #thingstodolondon #londonfreethingstodo #londonfarmersmarket #fyp ♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco The Ace Cafe is another cool indie spot, popular with bikers and alternative-types. Complete with a jukebox and biker and car events, it offers the chance to step into a different world. You’ve got Queen’s Park too, which is perfect for families and sporty-types, including six tennis courts, and a pitch-and-putt. Nearby, there’s the Queen’s Park Farmers Market, with an array of food and drink stalls selling everything from eggs and free-range chicken, to coffee and beers. The negatives Brent has been branded an ‘eyesore’ by residents (Picture: Shutterstock / Abdul_Shakoor) Unfortunately, Brent is among the top 10 most dangerous boroughs in the capital, with 82 crimes per 1,000 people, meaning it’s 2.3% higher than the London average. According to CrimeRate, it’s also the 21st most dangerous city in the UK. Brent council was also slammed by the Regulator of Social Housing for failing to maintain accurate records for fire safety, smoke and carbon monoxide safety, asbestos management and water safety for its tenants. The borough has a high child poverty rate of 41%, compared to the 35% average across London, and poverty rate of 33%, compared to London’s 26%, according to Trust for London. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
