Finding a place to live in London can be a challenge at times; but never fear, we've put together some tips, tricks and location information to help make the process easier for you!
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is located in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It is bordered by Shepherd’s Bush to the north, Kensington to the east, Chiswick to the west, and Fulham to the south, with which it forms part of the north bank of the River Thames. Hammersmith also boasts two London Underground stations and a bus station at Hammersmith Broadway.
Hammersmith is a lively, multicultural hub which offers elegant period architecture, great parks, riverside walks, a decent night life, and excellent food shops. The focal point of the district is the commercial centre (the Broadway Centre) which houses a shopping centre, bus station, and an Underground station. King’s Street is Hammersmith's main shopping street which contains its second shopping centre (Kings Mall), Primark, TK Maxx, the Town Hall, the Lyric Theatre, and a cinema complex.
Transport Connections
• Hammersmith is one of the best connected areas in London
• Underground: Hammersmith Tube Station with
Circle, Hammersmith & City, Piccadilly, and District lines (Broadway Centre)
• Broadway Shopping Centre Bus Station with 17 local bus routes from Hammersmith connecting this hub with the north, south, east and west
Things to Do in Hammersmith
• Riverside Studios is a cinema, performance space, bar and café
• Hammersmith Apollo, the major London live music venue that plays host to major international acts
• A range of riverside pubs including the Dove Riverside Pub which claims to be the oldest surviving riverside pub in London with, reputedly, the smallest bar in the world, frequented by Ernest Hemingway and Graham Greene
• Hammersmith's enchanted roof garden
• The River Café – Michelin-starred restaurant that produces some of the capital’s most consistently delicious food
Shepherd’s Bush
Shepherd’s Bush is an area of west London in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It offers wonderful transportation connections and a shopaholic’s paradise. Hammersmith also boasts Westfield Shopping Centre - the largest major shopping centre located in an inner city location in Europe which has hundreds of shops and major restaurant attractions.
Shepherd’s Bush is known for shopping first and foremost. It is home to Westfield shopping centre. It houses several chain stores, a 12-screen cinema, gym, pub, restaurants, a Bush Doctors and a supermarket. The shops trickle out along the roads along with numerous pubs. Also noteworthy is the Shepherd’s Bush Market which offers all types of cooked and raw food, household goods, and clothing. Truly is an area bursting with live sports and popular music.
Transportation Connections
• Underground: Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush Market, Wood Lane served by the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines; and Shepherd's Bush and White City stations served by the Central line
• Rail: London Overground and Southern Rail from Shepherd’s Bush tube station
• Bus: 31, 49, 72, 94, 95, 148, 207, 220, 228, 237, 260, 272, 283, 295, 316, 607, and N207
Things to Do in Shepherd’s Bush
• Shepherd’s Bush Market (open Monday-Saturday)
• Shepherd’s Bush Green
• The Bush Theatre
• Shepherds Bush Empire – a popular music venue that’s hosted many acts including David Bowie and The Rolling Stones
• Westfield Shopping Centre
• Watch the Queen’s Park Rangers play in Loftus Road football stadium
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is a district in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea in central London. It is a wonderful district known as the location for the annual Notting Hill Carnival and the daily Portobello Road Market (except Sundays). Once a rundown neighborhood, it rarely was given a second look; but now, it is a fashionable area known for attractive terraces of large Victorian townhouses, as well as high-end shopping and restaurants.
Notting Hill has a very large variety of restaurants, pubs, cinemas, salons, galleries, and shopping districts. It offers locations and activities ranging from art to music, fashion to literature, food to nightlife, and even more! Notting Hill is a hip and lively district in London with an array of activities for people of all ages and cultures.
Transportation Connections
• Underground stations: Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, and Royal Oak all served by the Hammersmith & City line, which are to the west/north-west of the area; and Notting Hill Gate station served by the Central, Circle, and District lines
• Bus: local routes include routes 27, 28, 31, 52, 70, 94, 328 and 452 amongst others
Things to Do in Notting Hill
• Portobello Market
• Notting Hill Carnival in August
• Morning Gloryville: a vivacious early morning rave
• Many shopping districts
• The Notting Hill Arts Club: free entry before 8pm and £5 after
• Notting Hill Mayfest: an arts festival to the nines
• Portobello Film Festival
• The Electric Brasserie offers dishes ranging from breakfast to a wide selection of small plates
Chiswick
Chiswick is part of the London borough of Hounslow and occupies a section of the River Thames west of Charing Cross which is heavily used for competitive and recreational rowing. Chiswick has one main commercial area, the Chiswick High Road, forming a long high street in the north. In the east, Goldhawk Road and British Grove form a border with Hammersmith, to the north are Bedford Park and South Acton, to the west are the districts of Gunnersbury and Brentford.
Chiswick High Road contains a mix of retail, restaurants, and food outlets while maintaining a quiet, green, and leafy environment. The wide streets encourage cafes, pubs, and restaurants to provide pavement seating. From modern and mansion flats to pretty Victorian cottages, large Edwardian and Victorian detached houses and elegant riverside Georgian houses, Chiswick offers properties to suit every taste.
Transportation Connections
• Underground: Chiswick Park and Turnham Green stations served by the District line
• Rail: National Rail services available
• Bus: routes include the 190 to Richmond, the 94 (24 hours) to Piccadilly Circus, and the 267 to Hammersmith; the N9 night bus also runs from Aldwych
Things to Do in Chiswick
• Fuller's Brewery, London's largest and oldest brewery
• Griffin Brewery, where Fuller, Smith & Turner brew their prize-winning ales
• Chiswick House and Gardens
• Kew Gardens
• Free par golf course
• Tennis and squash leisure centre
• Chiswick Poker Club
• Duke’s Meadow
• Chiswick Farmers and Fine Foods Market
Ealing
Ealing is a major suburban district of west London and is located 7.9 miles (12.7 km) west of Charing Cross and around 12 miles (19.3 km) from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Most of Ealing, including the commercial district, Ealing Common, Hanger Hill, Montpelier and Pitshanger, fall under the W5 postcode. It also forms a significant commercial and retail centre with a developed nightlife.
Ealing is a leafy, London suburb with a busy town centre, large houses, great shops, and tranquil parks. Wide, tree-lines streets and trendy shops are abundant. In addition, the thriving restaurant scene and excellent tube service into central London make Ealing a real property hotspot. Ealing also has a lush mix of cultures. The simple transportation connections and relatively affordable Zone 3 location also make the area desirable for young professionals and students.
Transportation Connections
• Underground: Ealing Broadway, Ealing Common, and South Ealing stations offering connections with the Central, Piccadilly, and District lines
• Rail: National Rail services available
• Bus: routes from Ealing Broadway include the 65 (to Kingston), 83 (to Golders Green) and 207 (to White City); night buses N7 from Russell Square and the N207 from Holborn
Things to Do in Ealing
• Haven Green is a green oasis in the heart of Ealing and it is surrounded by independent delis, cafes and restaurants
• Ealing Common offers 42 acres of open green space for local to enjoy and relax in
• The Drayton Court pub near West Ealing station reputedly has London’s largest beer garden; there are jazz nights, comedy nights and salsa classes here too
• West Ealing Craft Market offers a range of handmade gifts, jewelry, and cards
• Fox Wood Nature Reserve
• Walpole Park - Ealing's premier park which hosts the festivals in the summer, and also contains the Pitzhanger Manor museum
• Lammas Park - 25 acres - bowling green, croquet pitch, tennis courts, children's playground, play centre, and enchanting gardens ideal for a picnic
Bayswater/Paddington
Bayswater/Paddington is an area within the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in central London. It is a built-up district located 3 miles (4.8 km) west-north-west of Charing Cross, bordering the north of Hyde Park.
Bayswater/Paddington is very diverse, cosmopolitan, eclectic, and green. It offers locals more for their money than in neighbouring Mayfair or Notting Hill. Peaceful garden squares and unique architecture set Bayswater and Paddington apart. Because of its prime location, everything is truly within walking distance. On Queensway and Westbourne Grove, there are many ethnic restaurants and there is a local market with many shops on Edgeware Road. Also, Whiteley’s Shopping Centre offers high street stores.
Transportation Connections
• Underground: Bayswater, Paddington, Edgeward Road, and Lancaster Gate stations served by the Circle, District, Central, and Bakerloo lines
• Bus: the 7 (to Russell Square), the 23 (to Liverpool Street), the 27 (to Chalk Farm), the 70 (to Acton) and the 148 (to Camberwell Green)
Things to Do in Bayswater/Paddington
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Indoor ice rink
• Connaught Village
• Housed in the elegant Porchester Centre, Courtney’s Leisure Centre provides local residents with two pools, squash, 60 fitness classes, swimming lessons and there’s a spa with a fantastic reputation
• Tremendous shopping options
Acton
Acton is a district of west London, England, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated 6.1 miles (10 km) west of Charing Cross. Acton is home to more rail and tube stations than any other district in London which makes it extremely easy to go to and from Acton. It also covers a pretty large area straddling zones two and three and borders Harlesden to the north, Ealing to the west, Shepherd's Bush to the east, and Chiswick to the south.
Acton doesn’t boast the best shopping but its rent is very affordable with many options available. There are also many Aussies and Kiwis in the area. There are many transportation options and a fabulous late night pub named the Redback Tavern which you’ve got to attend at least once.
Transportation Connections
• Underground: Acton Town, East Acton, North Acton, and West Acton stations served by the District, Piccadilly, and Central lines
• Rail: National Rail services available
• Bus: 7, 70, 72, 94, 95, 207, 228, 260, 266, 272, 283, 427, 440, 487, 607, E3, N7, N11 and N207 serve Acton
Things to Do in Acton
• Acton swimming baths
• Acton Park
• Tons of pubs on Acton High Street
• Acton High Street Market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• Bowling alley in Park Royal
• Gunnersbury Park