We all know of Uxbridge, west London - home of the former RAF base from where the Battle of Britain was coordinated, Brunel University's campus, and the constituency, during the last Parliament at least, of Boris Johnson.

But did you know there's another Uxbridge? Where star couple Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson live, and where the nearest big city is Toronto?

That's right - Canada is home to Uxbridge's name twin, so we compared the two to find their similarities and differences. We'll leave you to decide which is better!

Which came first?

Anglo-Saxons settled and farmed in the area of Uxbridge, UK, from as early as the fifth century, clearing the dense woodland and remaining there for around 500 years.

A view of Uxbridge town centre, in west London

Whereas the earliest known settlers in Uxbridge, Canada, were Quakers who started arriving in 1806 from Pennsylvania, in the United States.

So firstly, what is there to visit?

Uxbridge, west London, is home to the Battle of Britain bunker, a piece of World War II history, visited by well-known wartime soldiers as well as Winston Churchill and King George VI with his wife Queen Elizabeth.

In Uxbridge, Ontario, you can see the Thomas Foster Memorial, remembering a local resident who went to the city, made his fortune and became both MP and Mayor.

One Trip Advisor visitor called it a "jewel on the hill". He wrote: "Built in the Depression as a memorial resting place for a former Toronto Mayor's family, this is an architectural gem."

What outdoor activities are there?

As the country is often covered in snow, skiing is hugely popular in Canada. Nearby resorts include Ski Lakeridge and Skyloft.

In warmer months, you can take a trip horseback riding.

Uxbridge, Ontario is home to Pathways on Pleasure Valley, where riders can enjoy over 225 acres of breathtaking tranquil forest trails.

Top recommended things to do in Uxbridge, west London, include a visit to Go Ape in the Black Park Country Park...

...and Hillingdon Trail.

What about nightlife?

Uxbridge has a range of pubs (test your knowledge with our quiz), top chain restaurants at intu Uxbridge shopping centre, and if you're feeling like a boogie, you may want to head to Liquid.

If you're heading out for a bite to eat in Uxbridge, Canada, you'll want to try some Poutine.

Or head to their local theatre to check out the flicks.

How can you get around?

Uxbridge, west London, is known for being at the very end of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines on the London Underground.

While Londoners often moan of delays, the Metropolitan Line still gets passengers into central London in less than an hour.

Travelling long distances, trains travelling through Uxbridge, Ontario, look rather different.

Trains run excursions over a 20 km route between the historic towns of Stouffville and Uxbridge.

Fun facts about each town

Uxbridge, England Uxbridge, Canada
Population 52,774 as of 2011 20,623 as of 2011
Nearest city London Toronto
Time to get into city centre 50 minutes on the tube

90 minutes by car

Politics Boris Johnson MP (at the last election), of the Conservative Party Jennifer O’Connell, MP for Pickering-Uxbridge, of the Liberal Party

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