Brent Cross Railway Station's Cross
Since Brent Cross Railway Station is not a place of Christian worship, why does 'Cross' feature in the name? Can a cross be found there?
Brent Cross Station
Brent is a London suburb. The derivation of the name is from the River Brent, according to the 'Place Names of Middlesex' published by the English Place Names Society, and the name goes back to Old English Brigantia. Recordings of the use of Braegentan, Braeingte and Bragente are cited from the 10th Century and Brainte in 1203. Although the settlement is ancient, there has never been a religious cross at this site to associate with the name.
The Underground railway station was opened on the Northern Line in 1923 as Brent Station, designed by Stanley Heaps.
In the 1930s, a garage was built near the station and adjacent to the crossroads of Hendon Way (A41) and the North Circular Road (A406). The Brent River crosses the former Parish of Hendon from East to West and flows alongside the site. Probably for one or both of theses reasons, the garage was called Brent Cross Garage.
In the 1970s, the UK's first large shopping centre was built on the site and was named Brent Cross. At the same time, the name of the station was changed to Brent Cross Station.
(Be warned: town 'planners' have ensured it's impractical to walk from the shopping centre to the station; especially with heavy shopping bags. Numerous huge roads to cross, using steps and ramps. Take the bus!)
