Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best things to do in Shepherds Bush
Five miles west of central London, Shepherd’s Bush, once the resting place for shepherds on their way to Smithfield, is now a tranquil suburban area bordered by the wealthier districts of Holland Park and Notting Hill to the east, Hammersmith to the south and Chiswick to the west.
Being a main residential hub, Shepherd's Bush features a great variety of houses and apartments including cottages, lots of detached and semi-detached homes, and converted flats.
But Shepherd's Bush is not only a residential area, it also features the largest shopping mall in Europe, markets, independent shops and famous music venues. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and green spaces are abundant here.
TRANSPORT in Shepherd's Bush
Shepherd's Bush is excellently connected to the rest of London by public transport, which includes the Overground (trains to Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction), various bus links and 4 tube stations. All tube stations in the neighbourhood are in Zone 2 and an annual railcard to Zone 1 is £1,296. Shepherd’s Bush and White City are on the Central line; Goldhawk Road and Shepherd’s Bush Market are on the Hammersmith & City line, as is Wood Lane (also Circle).
If you are driving, Shepherd's Bush is also well connected to the M3, M4, A40 and M40 out of west London.
FOOD in Shepherd's Bush
Abu Zaad
This restaurant serves the best Middle Eastern cuisines and is focused on Syrian recipes and traditions. Their menu features all sort of delicious appetitizers including falafel, hummus, halloumi cheese as well as grand main courses like Makloba, Bamia and Kibbeh Labanyeh.
Address: 29 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 8LH, UK
Ochi
Photo by Ochi
This little Caribbean takeaway has attracted tons of celebrities thanks to its authentic taste and high quality ingredients. It's known that super mega star Rihanna comes to get her favourite chicken curry and rice whenever she is playing in London.
Address: 226 Uxbridge Rd, White City, London W12 7JD, UK
The Oak
The Oak W12 is the third venue of Jasper Gorst's small restaurant chain. A stone’s throw from Ravenscourt Park, The Oak W12 has brought a much needed relaxed local restaurant to this up and coming part of London. Its south Mediterranean menu features a variety of cheese, pizzas, bruschetta and olives.
Address: 243 Goldhawk Rd, Hammersmith, London W12 8EU, UK
Princess Victoria
This beautiful place was formerly a Victorian Gin Palace dating back to the late 1920s. Today, the place has been restored to its former glorious self and it offers a laid back, classy and British dining experience.
Address: 217 Uxbridge Rd, White City, London W12 9DH, UK
Jamie’s Italian
If you fancy Italian, then head to one of the former Naked Chef's restaurants. The nice fact about Jamie Oliver's chain is that part of the revenues is donated to people in need and that while they are a chain, there is always a twist to their menu so you never really get bored of it.
Address: 1078, Ariel Way, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 7GB, UK
BARS & CLUBS in Shepherd's Bush
The Defector’s Weld
This is one of the best pubs in Shepherd's Bush where you can also find a fine selection of cocktails, wines, beers and real ales on top of good pub food. From Thursdays to Sundays they also host some great local DJs playing discs while people get wild on the dancefloor.
Address: 170 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 8AA, UK
SHOPPING & MARKETS in Shepherd's Bush
From massive shopping malls to old traditional markets, Shepherd's Bush features a real shopping galore and it's surely the best place for some retail therapy.
Westfield Shopping Centre
At the Europe's largest urban shopping complex, you can definitely find whathever you are looking for since it houses over 200 retail stores, shops, and stalls. It is said that Westfield is the size of 11 football pitches, so I'm sure you will find what you need (and even stuff you don't need!)
Address: Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 7GG
Shepherd's Bush Market
While the majority of London’s neighbourhoods have fallen prey to gentrification and large chain invasion, Shepherds Bush has somehow managed to retain its authenticity and rugged charm. Proof of this is Shepherd's Bush Market, which is open six days a week and is especially popular with London's Caribbean community.
Address: Uxbridge Rd, London W12 8LH, UK
Goldhawk Road – Fabrics
If spending hours in crowded shopping malls buying things that have no personality or identity, head to Goldhaws Road where there are loads of fabrics shops. If you are into sustainable fashion or just interested in making or having your clothes made from stratch from a tailor, come here and explore the treasures hidded in these shops. TIP: they have a huge variety of fabrics and they offers far better deals than those found in Soho.
Address: Goldhawk Rd, London W12 8DH, UK
OTHER THINGS TO DO in Shepherd's Bush
O2 Shepherd’s Bush
The biggest international artists perform at the O2 Shepherd's Bush, which makes it one of the top venues for live performances in London. There is a rich calendar of events happening at all time, just check for the performances on at their website and book a special night out.
Address: Shepherd's Bush Green, White City, London W12 8TT, UK
Shepherds Bush Green Playground
Even though it's located right at the centre of a traffic island, this playground is a fabulous place to visit with your children. There are 2 separate areas with one for under five’s and the other for kids 5 and up. The playground is near Westfield Shopping Centre and Shepherds Bush Library, so it can be the perfect place to take a break on a day out with your family.
Louise T Blouin Foundation
Photo credits: Louise T Blouin Foundation
The Louise T Blouin Foundation is one of the biggest not-for-profits organisations in the world of art which aims to explore the significance of creativity and the creative potential of the human brain. The venue, set in a former disused industrial space, features 9,000 sq ft of galleries and the refurbished white interiors are beautifully immersed in light thanks to 80 large windows.
Holland Park
This is one of the best green spaces in the city which also features a grand mansion right in its centre. Holland House was built in the Jacobean style and became a focal point for literary and political activities, with famous visitors like Lord Byron during the nineteenth century. The best part of Holland Park is its Kyoto Gardens, a small but beautifully landscaped garden and a true oasis of peace and silence. During the summer the place hosts opera performances and al fresco theatre shows.
Check out Spotahome's accommodation options for Shepherd's Bush.
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