The building is thought to be the oldest surviving house in Brent
London is full of hidden treasures with a rich history but of which little is known, tucked away in the heart of Dollis Hill is one such place.
Old Oxgate Farm, in Coles Green Road, is thought to be the oldest surviving house in the borough.
Sitting relatively unnoticed in between flats, shops and houses it has been standing since the 1400’s and forms part of the old Manor of Oxgate, land which spanned over 1000 acres.
All that remains today is around an acre of land and the original farmhouse which, through time has suffered from structural damage and is in need of investment.
But, according to Craig Jewitt, whose family has a long history with the farm, now is the time to save the building, renovate it and share its fascinating history with the community.
Mr Jewitt has lodged a bid with the English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund to secure funding with the hope of refurbishing the site and opening its doors to the public.
He told the Times: “We are confident they will approve of our plans and see the same potential as we do.
“We want the farm to become part of the community in Dollis Hill to be open for young and old. Not many people even know of its existence which is sad as it is a fascinating place to look around.”
According to Mr Jewitt, future plans could include; theatre performances, play reading, horticultural shows and classes for the community.
He added: “We may only have ½ an acre left but it is amazing what you can do with this space it has so much potential.
“Dollis Hill has been the brunt of darker headlines recently. We hope that this farm will place a little warmth back into the community.”
Previous inhabitants include, William Wykeham, the founder of New College Oxford while prominent performers including the late Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) actor Mark Dignam, have also been residents.
“We think people will be interested to come and have a look around a Tudor house they may not have realised is on their doorstep. Who knows, maybe even Shakespeare himself was here at one point” – said Mr Jewitt.
He added: “The main purpose of our drive to save Oxgate Farm is to provide the local community and visitors with a peek into the past.”
English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund will decide on whether to award the grant following meetings later this month.
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