Chiswick Area Guide

Chiswick is one of London’s most affluent boroughs, particularly loved among families for its fantastic selection of boutiques, eateries and green spaces.

The properties in Chiswick range from sophisticated Georgian riverside homes, dominant Edwardian properties, quaint Victorian cottages and apartments, many of which were designed by important architects. In earlier centuries, Chiswick had a thriving fishing economy beside the Thames, which attracted wealthy property builders and sealed its reputation as a popular holiday spot.

Highlights and attractions

Take a stroll down the leafy Chiswick High Road where you’ll find an array of artisan eateries and shops, with a “village within a city” feel. The High Road also has many Grade II listed buildings, including pubs dating back to the 18th century.

History lovers and creatives will enjoy visiting Hogarth’s House, the former home of 18th century English artist William Hogarth. The country home was bought by the local authority and turned into a historic house museum, open to the public year-round. Much of Hogarth’s work is on exhibition in the house, and regular creative workshops take place there.

Another historical monument in Chiswick is the 18th century palladian villa, Chiswick House and Gardens. Based on classic Italian architecture, unusual for its time period, the stately home is set within 65 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and attracts over 1 million visitors every year. It’s open to the public, and even hosts a fortnightly market filled with ethical and sustainable produce.

Other notable green spaces include the Gunnersbury Triangle, a 6-acre wet woodland nature reserve protected by the London Wildlife Trust. Wildlife walks, workshops and open days are often held here. Nearby, Dukes Meadows Park is popular with families, with its huge adventure play area and outdoor paddling pool. It also hosts a weekly food market.

Commuting

Tube: Two Tube stations serve Chiswick - Chiswick Park on the District line, and Turnham Green on the District and Piccadilly Lines. You can reach Victoria in just over 20 minutes from Chiswick Green, and a train from Turnham Green will get you to Covent Garden in half an hour.

Rail: There’s one rail station in Chiswick, with trains running regularly into the city. It’ll take you less than half an hour to get to Waterloo, and around 50 minutes to get to Weybridge.

Bus: 5 bus services operate in Chiswick, including the N9 night bus between the city and Heathrow Airport.

Road: The A4 passes through Chiswick where the M4 motorway begins, and Heathrow Airport is a 25 minute drive away.

Cycle: You can cycle to Victoria in just over half an hour, with just three straight roads along the journey. You can also cycle in a segregated bike lane the length of Chiswick High Road.

Food and Drink

In such an affluent area, you can expect to be greeted by some of London’s finest restaurants, bars and cafes. The majority of Chiswick’s dining hotspots lie in Chiswick High Road, from coffee shops to fine dining.

In the summer months, you can enjoy the secret garden sun trap at No.197 Chiswick Fire Station, named after the former fire station that previously occupied the site. This industrial-style eatery has a hidden walled garden in Chiswick High Road, and offers contemporary British classics by day and cocktails by night.

Wine connoisseurs will appreciate Vinoteca in neighbouring Devonshire Road, with over 200 bottles to choose from, and beer drinkers can get their fill in a number of Victorian pubs lining the street in Chiswick High Road. Local favourites include The George IV and the Crown and Anchor.

Events

Every year, visitors flock to Chiswick Bridge, the end point of the Boat Race. The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between Oxford and Cambridge University Rowing Clubs, which has earned international prestige since it began in the early 19th century.

In June each year, Chiswick transforms into a vibrant celebration of arts, culture and community with the Bedford Park Festival. The festival was founded in the 1960s by the vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church, with the aim of raising money for church repairs. More than 50 years later, it remains one of the area’s most anticipated events, showcasing all manner of creative subjects, from arts and crafts to performance. You’ll love it if you have children, too, as one day is focused on the community’s youngsters with activities including baking and fancy dress competitions.

Schools

Chiswick has several primary schools, all of which are rated either Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Belmont Primary School, Strand-on-the-Green Infant and Nursery School, Grove Park Primary School and Lionel Primary School are all rated Outstanding.

There’s one state secondary school, Chiswick School, which is rated Good, plus some independent schools. The International School of London is globally recognised as a leading International Baccalaureate school, and The Arts Educational School London

is one of the country's leading drama schools.