Brentford, a suburban town in West London, is uniquely situated at the confluence of the River Brent and the Thames, boasting a history that significantly predates even Roman London. First recorded as Breguntford in 705 AD, meaning "ford over the River Brent," the area was a crucial pre-Romanic tribal meeting point, yielding significant artifacts like the Iron Age Brentford horn-cap (c. 100 BC – AD 50). Historically, Brentford played a part in the English Civil War, where a Royalist army ransacked the town after a notable battle in November 1642.

More recently, the town has undergone significant regeneration, transforming its waterfront and the historic Brentford Dock (opened in 1859) into a vibrant area with modern shops, housing, and serving as a gateway for diverse company headquarters along the M4 corridor. Brentford is also known for the 18th/19th-century architectural Hardwick family, and celebrates its local heritage with the annual Brentford Festival, held every September since 1900.