The outer western suburbs of GreaterLondon form a diverse area that ranges from the densely-populated but tree-lined streets of Chiswick, Acton and Ealing, through to the semi-rural western districts that lie between Heathrow Airport and Uxbridge. As you might expect from the outer reaches of a metropolis, much ofWest London is suburban 'commuter belt' territory. Even so, a great many centres located on or near West London's key transport links have much to offer both the traveller and casual visitor in the way of accommodation, food, sights and experiences. Tracing a meandering course on the area's southern edge is—of course—the River Thames, the focus of many local opportunities.
West London's popularity with travellers and short-to-mid-term residents (backpackers, working holiday makers, etc.) can be explained by a number of factors, not least its proximity toHeathrow Airport, London's largest airport, and the area's multiple, easy transport connections with the West End and Central London.
West London was once part of the county ofMiddlesex, which no longer exists for administrative purposes; Middlesex, however, is sometimes still used as part of the postal address for these areas - don't let this confuse you!
West London consists of numerous suburbs, villages and satellite towns. Several areas are particularly popular with travellers and backpackers on account of their attractions, their facilities and their many accommodation options.
West London consists of the following boroughs:
West London is well served by London Underground (Tube) connections from Central London:
is a special fare sub-zone with journeys between there and Zone 1 being charged at peak rate at all times.The following routes are useful for areas of West London not well served by the Tube.
.. Heathrow Airport is a special fare sub-zone with journeys between there and Zone 1 being charged at peak rate at all times. and London Paddington. There are 4 tph toHeathrow Airport (Terminal 5) which takes 21 minutes – the train stops en-route at Terminals 2 & 3 with a free shuttle to Terminal 4.A number of key bus routes exist that can readily transport visitors to West London from the centre of town:
(updated Mar 2022)
.(updated Mar 2022) and Isleworth.(updated Aug 2023) station. It can be slow during rush hour.(updated Apr 2022)Night bus services to and from Central London are more restricted but incredibly useful once the Tube has closed for the night:
in the City of London, via Ealing Broadway Tube station, Victoria, Chelsea and Hammersmith.(updated Mar 2022)(updated Oct 2022) runs every 15 minutes and stops atHillingdon MET PIC tube station on the Piccadilly/Metropolitan line.(updated Mar 2022)The main routes through West London are:
There is a taxi stand.Uxbridge Taxi Services[dead link] are the most popular services.
Uber and otherride hailing services are also available throughout West London including Uxbridge.
Although not nearly as concentrated as Central London, West London's attractions are many and varied:
Bus 190 (Hammersmith DIS CIR H&C PIC –Richmond DIS OGD )),☏+44 20 8995-0508.W-Su and bank holidays 1 Apr-31 Oct 10AM-5PM, Sa until 2PM.Maintained by English Heritage, Chiswick House is a famous and fine example of the 18th century Palladian style of British architecture. The third Earl of Burlington (1694–1753), who designed this elegant Classical villa close to the Thames, drew inspiration from hisgrand tours of Italy, while William Kent was employed to create sumptuous interiors to contrast with the pure exterior. The Neo-Classical gardens, although much reduced from their original size, are the perfect complement to the house.adults £6.10, children £3.70, concessions £5.50, English Heritage members free. 
station),☏+44 20 8560-8108,fax:+44 20 8847-9383.F-Su 10AM-4PM.Something of an undiscovered gem. It houses a vast collection of working automaticmusical instruments, from barrel organs to player pianos and beyond. Tours with knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic guides are highly recommended, as is the opportunity to listen to the Mighty Wurlitzer (which rises from the floor in the main auditorium). In addition to its function as a museum, the venue also hosts occasional cinema screenings of classic films (preceded by music from the Mighty Wurlitzer, or - in the case of silent film - accompanied by it) and houses a popular cafe with Thames views. Among the unusual (and hard-to-find) items usually available in the gift shop are clocks made from 78 rpm shellac discs, and original player piano rolls.£12, concessions £10, children under 16 £5 (also open Thursday in school holidays).(updated Aug 2023)),☏+44 20 8567-1227.Tu-F 1PM-5PM, Sa 11AM-5PM.Houses Pitzhanger Manor House and an art gallery. (updated Jul 2021) railway station, 2tph toGreenford CEN andWest Ealing ELI ),☏+44 20 8799 0404.They were relegated in 2024 and play in the Championship, the 13-a-side game's second tier, with a playing season Feb-Oct. Their home ground is Ealing Trailfinders Sports Club, capacity 4000.(updated Oct 2024) (updated Jul 2022)Shopping in West London varies depending on the area. Chiswick in particular has upmarket shops.
),☏+44 20 8567-3453.M-Sa: 9AM-7PM, Su: 11AM-5PM. Both shopping centres are next to Uxbridge tube station.
(updated Dec 2021) The main shopping area in Chiswick is the Chiswick High Road. It has mostly chain shops:
Chiswick is an area of West London with a wide range of options. There are at least 30 restaurants in Chiswick. Chiswick High Road has the usual wide selection of fast food outlets and supermarket food. For the more discerning, an extensive range of restaurants and eateries exists for all tastes and budgets that makes Chiswick a definite destination for the gastronome.
You will never be short of a pub in West London. Upmarket bars and clubs are also plentiful.
Pubs in the centre of Ealing tend to be lively and rather noisy.
station),☏+44 20 8997-1019.Homely old fashioned pub. station),☏+44 20 8997-0378.Homely old fashioned pub. Uxbridge is home to many fine eateries and public houses. Many pubs are located along historic Windsor Street.
Historically (and perhaps unsurprisingly, given its roots as an industrial working-class area) Brentford has been known as a "drinker's town". Indeed, it was long reputed that in the Victorian terraces surrounding the football ground, there was "a pub on every corner". To an extent this is still true today, with a sizable number of small drinking establishments still eking out a living in the backstreets to the west of the Ealing Road. Most are perfectly friendly to outsiders, while maintaining a core clientele of local drinkers, primarily men.
For the visitor to Brentford seeking a more eclectic drinking culture, pubs such as:
Visitors might wish to note that pubs such as the Albany Arms and Beehive are most heavily patronised by locals who might be less welcoming to outsiders than in the pubs noted above.
Beer-lovers with a taste for sampling local brews should note that many of Brentford's pubs are 'tied houses' (owned by the brewery rather than the landlord) serving Fuller's ales. Fuller's are a local brewers based in Chiswick (although serving a country-wide market for beers such as London Pride), less than 2 miles along the Thames. Drinkers can thus be assured that their pint of Fuller's is, if nothing else, both local and fresh.
With its proximity to Heathrow Airport, Uxbridge has some good hotels. Many independent pubs offering accommodation in the local area.
| Routes through West |
| END← | W  E | →Hammersmith and Fulham→Bloomsbury-Soho |
| Richmond-Kew (Richmond branch)← END (Ealing branch)← | W  E | →Hammersmith and Fulham→Westminster |
| END←Reading,Berkshire ← Reading branch← | W  E | →Paddington-Maida Vale →London/Mayfair-Marylebone→Soho |
| END←Heathrow Airport ← Heathrow branch← | W E | →Paddington-Maida Vale→END |
| END← Uxbridge branch← | W  E | → Uxbridge branch →North London→Bloomsbury-Camden |
| END←Watford,Herefordshire ← Watford branch← | W E | → Watford branch →North London→Bloomsbury-Camden |
| END←Chesham,Buckinghamshire ← Chesham branch← | W E | → Chesham branch →North London→Bloomsbury-Camden |
| END←Amersham,Buckinghamshire ← Amersham branch← | W E | → Amersham branch →North London→Bloomsbury-Camden |
| West London←North London ← Uxbridge branch← | W  E | → Uxbridge branch →Hammersmith and Fulham→Westminster-Mayfair-Marylebone |
| END←Heathrow Airport ← Heathrow branch← | W E | → Heathrow branch →Hammersmith and Fulham→Westminster-Mayfair-Marylebone |
| Routes through West |
| Reading←Heathrow Airport← | W  E | → merges with →Central London |
| Oxford←High Wycombe← | NW  E | →merges with |
| Reading←Heathrow Airport← | W  E | →Hammersmith→Central London |
| Basingstoke←Heathrow Airport← | SW  E | → merges with→Central London |
| Oxford←High Wycombe← | NW  E | →Shepherd's Bush→Central London |
| Thisdistrict travel guide toWestis ausable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page. |
