Thomas Layton lived in Brentford, Middlesex between 1826 and 1911. He served on various local bodies for about 50 years, and helped develop many new buildings and services for the growing town.

Layton was also an avid collector of books, prints, maps and artefacts. He bequeathed his remarkable collection of over 20,000 objects to the people of Brentford. The collection has had a turbulent history and today is divided between several locations.

The website reveals more about Layton’s collecting and what happened to his collection after his death.

Layton was involved with many improvements to Brentford which comprise his civic legacy. Follow the Layton Trail to see what evidence still exists today.