Ealing Broadway guide: top things to see and do

Located in the west part of London, the Ealing borough is exciting, fresh and vibrant, to say the least. However, even though it’s part of the UK's bustling capital, it manages to balance between the calming greenery and urban energy. It’s not surprising that it was once known as the Queen of the Suburbs, precisely because of this union of city and nature. Although this is a title dating back to the Victorian times, some things truly never change.

Ealing has what could be called the true essence of London - noticeable diversity, a growing arts scene and charming restaurants. One of its busiest parts is Ealing Broadway - an area named after the big interchange station of the same name. For those of you who are intrigued by this neighbourhood, we’ve made a guide to help you get to know Ealing better, especially the part near Ealing Broadway. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, these suggestions will help you use your free time in the best way possible.

While you’re busy planning out your day (or days) in Ealing, money management is probably the last thing going through your mind. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With the Wise multi-currency account you can keep your expenses in check and avoid any unnecessary costs. Also, the official Wise app is great for tracking everything you spend.

So, grab a pen and paper and get ready to explore one of London’s biggest gems. Ealing Broadway is awaiting!

Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre¹

If you’d like to dedicate part of your day to some retail therapy and casual shopping, the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre is just the place. Real shopaholics will even tell you this can be a full-day outing, especially because there are over 70 shops and restaurants to choose from in the mall.

The Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre has some of the most popular chain stores, such as H&M, Marks & Spencer, Decathlon and many more you know of. This will save you lots of time, since you’ll probably be able to get literally everything you need in one go. Then, once you’re done shopping, you can stop by one of the restaurants or cafes for a quick lunch break.

However, the Ealing Broadway is not just your typical shopping centre. It’s even home to Ealing’s local library, a quiet, calming space well equipped with a large book and audiobook collection. On top of this, make sure you stop by the Ealing Project on the ground floor. This is a new multipurpose space with three cinemas, a stage for up-and-coming musicians and an exhibition area for local artists. It’s like a community cultural centre where Ealing Broadway visitors and Ealing locals in general can express their creativity.²

Ealing Studios³

Not only is Ealing Studios London’s oldest film production studio, it’s actually the oldest working one in the entire world. Located in the heart of the Ealing neigbourhood, this famous white building complex is a very important part of UK’s cinema history.

Some of your favorite movies and TV shows wouldn’t exist without the help of this studio and its team of professionals. They are behind Monty Python, Dr. Who, Downton Abbey, The Importance of Being Earnest and many more masterpieces. Even though Ealing Studios tours are not a year-long thing, sometimes you can manage to find one and see the production process with your own eyes. If not, you can always take a walk around it and hope you run into your favorite movie star. Make sure you check for the tours before going, you might be lucky!

Ealing Farmers' Market⁴

If you’d like to truly blend in with the locals and become part of the neighbourhood at least for a day, visit the famous Ealing Farmers’ Market. The bustling, vibrant market and its sweet vendors make each Saturday a special day, even the rainiest one. It’s a popular destination for curious foodies and health fanatics, having in mind the diverse range of fresh and locally sourced produce it offers.

The welcoming atmosphere at Ealing Farmers’ Market will help you feel the unique spirit of the local community, all while keeping your belly full. To truly take it all in, walk around and try the seasonal fruit and veg, fresh fish, handmade bread and pies and craft beers. Don’t forget a chat with the vendors about their work or with locals about their recommendations. Having a great time is pretty much guaranteed.

Walpole Park⁵

Ealing Broadway is known to be an overwhelmingly green area, in the best way possible. A famous oasis and recreational spot located on its edge is Walpole Park. This is a perfect place for a morning walk by the pond, a mid-day picnic with friends or some weekend sports activities.

While you’re there, you mustn’t miss one of the most beautiful buildings in Ealing - Pitzhanger Manor. Pitzhanger Manor was the home of famous architect Sir John Soane, while Walpole Park was once part of the estate grounds. After undergoing conservation a couple years back, the Manor is now back to its original designs and it looks just like John Soane envisioned it.⁶

The Pitzhanger Manor is also home to the Pitzhanger Gallery. It’s made for exhibitions by contemporary artists, designers and architects, just like Sir John Soane himself was.⁶

To spend a perfect day in Ealing, don’t forget to put Walpole Park and Pitzhanger Manor on your list. We suggest getting tickets in advance and stopping by the café set in John Soane’s original walled kitchen garden.

Ealing Summer Festivals⁷

Make sure you don’t miss the celebrations and activities happening around Ealing Broadway every summer. Ealing Summer Festivals combine Ealing’s greenery and vibrant community energy to create a series of various fun events each year. So, whether you’re a foodie, a music enthusiast or just down for a good time, the festivals won’t disappoint you.

The Ealing Summer Festivals include the Greenford Carnival, Acton Carnival, New Gen Youth Festival, Ealing Comedy Festival, Ealing Blues and Jazz festivals. They take place in five of Ealing’s lush parks.

The Ealing Jazz Festival is one of the most popular ones, also being the one of the longest running jazz festivals in the country. It’s set in Walpole Park and it welcomes both international and local artists.⁸

Another festival that really draws in the crowds is the Ealing Blues Festival. Held in the same location as the Jazz Festival, this event showcases some of the best blues acts from around the UK and beyond. It’s oriented towards the club and local scene, which is why they try to keep the ticket prices low.⁹

Besides those, a great way to celebrate the season is stopping by the Ealing Comedy Festival or the Ealing Beer Festival. Whether you pick one or all of them, the Summer Festivals are a great way to enjoy all Ealing has to offer.

Questors Theatre¹⁰

The Questors is a renowned community theatre with none other than Dame Judi Dench as president. It has around 1,500 members, which makes it one of the biggest in London and all of Europe. Besides doing around 20 shows a year, the theatre runs a number of workshops and classes, as well as a large youth theatre.

The theatre is open all week long, with different performances and events. You can also take one of their free backstage tours and peek behind the curtains. They allow you to visit the rehearsals, find out everything about becoming a member and you also get a free drink in their Grapevine Bar. Keep in mind that, even though the tours are free, you still need to book a ticket for them.

Questors Theatre is the place to be if you want to support local talent and have fun doing it. Check out the monthly calendar and see if something catches your attention.

A great alternative for low-cost spending in the UK - the Wise card

If you get a Wise card, you can enjoy Ealing Broadway without worrying about extra expenses waiting around the corner.¹¹ You can shop and spend and convert in more than 50 currencies, using the guaranteed mid-market exchange rate. Plus, you can withdraw up to £200 a month from UK ATMs with no charge from Wise (although ATM providers may charge their own fee).

Also, the Wise app will have you thinking budgeting and tracking your transactions has never been so easy. All that’s left to do is plan your day out!

Join Wise today

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Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 10-Apr-2023.