Ealing Area Guide

The west London borough of Ealing was crowned “Queen of Surburbs” in 1902, by the borough surveyor Charles Jones. The accolade remains to this day, and it’s easy to see why.

Ealing sits perfectly between the picturesque countryside of the Chiltern Hills and the city life of central London, while boasting plenty of its own beautiful green spaces.

Highlights and attractions

With ten parks and four conservation sites, Ealing remains one of London’s leafiest suburbs, making it the perfect choice for families and dog-lovers to call home.

Perhaps one of the most well-renowned is Walpole Park, the main recreational space for the area. The park used to be the estate grounds for Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, a Grade I listed country house built in the early 1800s.

A little further North lies Pitshanger Park, stunning open green space which is a haven for wildlife, from otters to kingfishers. Enjoy peaceful dog walks along the river Brent here, or take advantage of the park’s sports facilities. You can indulge in a tennis match or two, while the kids burn some energy on the playground.

South Ealing is also home to the world’s oldest film studios, which is sure to please film buffs and theatre lovers alike. Ealing Studios was built in 1902, and has more recently been used to film box office movies including The Theory of Everything and Notting Hill, plus hit TV drama Downton Abbey.

If you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, Ealing Broadway has everything you need. From smaller, artisan businesses to big name brands, the shopping centre is the focal point of the borough and caters for customers of all ages.

The area here has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, with the addition of the prestigious Dickens Yard luxury apartment development in 2018. In Spring 2022, the redevelopment will be completed with a stunning art-deco Filmworks development. More than 200 contemporary homes will be built alongside an eight-screen cinema and central piazza, giving a nod to the “roaring twenties” era and paying homage to Ealing’s rich film history.

Commuting

Tube: Ealing is one of West London’s most well-connected areas. You’ll find four tube stations here, making light work of your commute. Ealing Common is on the Piccadilly and District lines, Ealing Broadway is on the Central and District lines, and both North and South Ealing are on the Piccadilly line. If you need to commute into central London or fancy a night at the theatre, the West End is just 30 minutes away. Vintage fashion lovers can also reach Notting Hill Gate within just 10 minutes, and South Kensington is 15 minutes away on the Piccadilly line.

Rail: The First Great Western line operates from Ealing Broadway and West Ealing Rail Station, taking you to Heathrow Airport within 20 minutes and Paddington in around 10 minutes.

Bus: Ealing is served by many buses, including night services to Golders Green, Liverpool Street Station and Willesden.

Road: Motorists can access the M25 within 40 minutes, and reach Heathrow Airport in under half an hour.

Cycle: Commuting by bike is a popular choice with Ealing residents, and cyclists can reach central London in under 50 minutes via the A4020. Members of the Ealing Cycling Campaign also hold regular meetings, events and social gatherings for keen cyclists, with rides for all abilities.

Food and Drink

Ealing has a thriving food and drinks scene, with award-winning restaurants to suit every budget and occasion. You’ll be spoilt for choice, with over 300 eateries serving Persian, Japanese, Tunisian, Korean, Caribbean, Italian and many more cuisines to choose from.

Enjoy a mid-week lunch service at The University of West London’s restaurant, Pillars, in Warwick Road, where the country’s future top chefs are trained. Soanes Kitchen, a cafe-restaurant named after Pitzhanger Manor’s architect, Sir John Soane, also operates in Walpole Park.

Popular pizzeria Santa Maria has won multiple awards in the past decade including the Best Pizza in London, and fans of traditional British fare will love the Blue Ocean fish and chips restaurant in Pitshanger, which has served the borough for almost four decades.

If you’re out and about shopping and fancy a quick bite, there are multiple cafes and coffee shops available at Ealing Broadway. Grab a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s, take the kids for a Bubble Tea at Bubble Magik or relax with a cuppa at Costa or Starbucks.

Events

Walpole Park hosts the annual Ealing Summer Festivals, popular events from June to August with comedy and music festivals, cinema screenings and plenty of activities to keep the youngsters entertained, too. The Park also host’s Ealing’s beer festival, which has been running successfully for more than 30 years.

The Questors Theatre, one of the biggest amateur theatres in Europe, was founded in 1929 and runs an annual season of around 20 plays.

Open Ealing, dubbed the “Home of Creativity,” delivers regular creative projects and events for residents, whether they’re the next Picasso or still painting by numbers. Exhibitions of local artists’ work are often displayed, and creative talks and classes are held for members of the public.

Schools

Ealing boasts a number of Ofsted Outstanding rated schools, including Christ the Saviour Church of England Primary School, Montpelier Primary School, Brentside Primary School, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Fielding Primary School and Vicar’s Green Primary School.

At Secondary level, The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, Greenford High School and William Perkin Church of England High School are also rated Outstanding by the education watchdog.

West London College has a campus at Ealing Green, and the borough also hosts various independent schools, including St Augustine’s Priory - a Catholic Girls' School which has been educating pupils since 1634.