Top Tips For Days Out In Greater West London

When you think of West London, your mind will probably first jump to the West End, Kensington and Chelsea. The huge array of attractions in these central boroughs as well as the wealth of Westminster tourist draws mean that the rest of the city can be overlooked by a first time visitor to London. Guests of London Paddington hotel deals, though, are ideally placed to explore further afield.

And there’s more to see than you might first expect. The boroughs of Brent, Harrow, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow and Richmond all have their own unique stories and character and offer different sides to the English capital city. Whether you’re killing time before your reservation at the best restaurants in Paddington London or your work trip has opened up some free time to explore the wider city, there’s much to see and do in these historic and contrasting boroughs. This blog will outline some of the top attractions in the boroughs of greater West London.

Brent

Part of the integration of Greater London boroughs during the mid 60s’, Brent is a borough that mainly consists of residential and suburban areas but has its own unique attractions too. With Kensington and Chelsea to its south, Brent is easily reachable via many tube lines, most notably, the Jubilee, metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines. 

The area is known for having a large Hindu population, served by the famous BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple, or the Neasden Temple as it is known colloquially. This temple is the first in England that was built entirely using traditional methods. Other attractions in Brent include Wembley Stadium, home to a wealth of international sporting events and home to the English football team. Visitors can enjoy tours of the stadium as well as the museum on site which explore the history of the area. On top of this, the nearby Wembley Arena is an indoor events venue that has seen performances from Michael Jacswon, One Direction and the Spice Girls.

Harrow

The borough of Harrow is located in outer London and has been an official borough of the city since 1934. As one of the most diverse areas of England, Harrow is home to a wealth of cultures that influence its many attractions. Visitors to Harrow will probably be drawn to its vast open spaces, such as Bentley Priory and its museum as well as Headstone Manor, the official museum of Harrow’s history. Here visitors can find out about the long history of Harrow through the four buildings on the grounds of the museum. Including old renovated barns, cottages and the manor itself, buildings on the land of Headstone Manor date back as far as the 9th century. Guests of the Chilworth London Paddington Spa can reach Harrow very easily, being served by the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Piccadilly, Metropolitan and Overground lines.

Ealing

The famous home of classic film studio Ealing Studios, Ealing has a long history of filmmaking and entertainment and is still the home of filmmaking lots and production companies. The main draw though, is Ealing’s beautiful town centre which has roots going back hundreds of years. In the town centre, visitors will find many nightclubs and pubs, serving as one of the best areas for nightlife in outer West London. The area is also home to a wealth of parks and shopping destinations and several music festivals throughout the year.

Another major attraction in Ealing that is more suitable for family visits iis Hanwell Zoo, a popular petting zoo that includes flamingoes, rare birds and even its own maze. Visitors can reach Ealing and its many tube stations via the Central Line and Piccadilly Line. 

Hammersmith & Fulham

Famed for its wealth of culture, visitors can reach the borough of Hammersmith via the district, Hammersmith and City, Central and Lines from Paddington Station Hotels. Hammersmith is home to three popular areas for tourists and locals alike. The first is the titular Hammersmith, home to the revolutionary Lyric Theatre and the famed music and comedy venue the Hammersmith Apollo.

The second area that might be of interest to tourists is Fulham, famed for its high end shopping boutiques and historic riverside districts. This area is where Fulham Palace is, a 900 year old manor that is the headquarters for the Bishop of London. Nowadays, visitors can tour and explore the palace, its museum, art gallery and gardens free of admission. 

Shepherd’s Bush is another famous area of Hammersmith & Fulham due to its recent emergence as a hub for the UK television industry. The BBC has offices here, as do a range of other production companies. The Bush Theatre is a popular new writing theatre whilst Bush Hall and the Shepherd’s Bush Empire are the two main music venues serving international programming to the community. 

Hounslow

Hounslow is a borough of London that is probably most known for being the home of Heathrow Airport. There’s a lot more to enjoy in Hounslow though, including leafy and affluent areas like Chiswick and Gunnersbury, popular shopping locales with a wealth of riverside pubs and attractions. 

One of the main reasons why tourists may visit Hounslow though, is its many parks and nature reserves. These include the Gunnersbury Triangle, Chiswick Gardens and the famous Syon House. The riverside walks along Housnlow’s stretch of the Thames are popular for visitors who want to enjoy a less built up and quieter part of the river. Visitors can reach Hounslow and its many popular areas via the District Line and Overground services.

Richmond

Best known for the Royal Richmond Park, Richmond also incorporates a range of other nature reserves including Wimbledon Common and Bushy Park. Guests in the area can also enjoy the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew on the banks of the Thames. This is one of the largest collections of botanic plant specimens in the world and is famed for its beautiful greenhouses. Guests of Richmond can reach the borough via the Overground and District Line.