Shepherds Bush guide: top things to see and do

Planning a trip to London? If you’re staying in or near Shepherd’s Bush, you’re in for a treat. This popular destination has lots of local attractions, and is particularly good for shopping and live music.

So if you’re choosing activities for your trip, read on. We’ve put together a guide to the top things to see and do in Shepherd’s Bush.

It’s all to help you plan your dream itinerary, whether you’re staying for just a couple of days or a whole week. There’s something for everyone there, whether you’re a foodie, music lover, sports fan or avid shopper.

We’ll even throw in a handy tip to help you save on travel spending while you’re in London, using the Wise card.

This powerful international debit card works in 175 countries, including the UK. It automatically converts your money to GBP whenever you spend, at a fair exchange rate and for just a small conversion fee. And if you already have GBP in your Wise account, it’s free.

Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visitWise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Where is Shepherd’s Bush?

Shepherd’s Bush is an area in West London, in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It’s a busy, multicultural neighbourhood centred around Shepherd’s Green.

How to get to Shepherd’s Bush

Like most parts of London, the area of Shepherd’s Bush is well served by public transport. It has a train station, and there are three tube stations dotted around the region - Shepherd’s Bush (Central), Shepherd’s Bush Market and Goldhawk Road.

There are also plenty of bus services running through Shepherd’s Bush, connecting it with other parts of the city.

Top things to see and do in Shepherd’s Bush

Now, what should be at the top of your must-see list when visiting Shepherd’s Bush?

We’ve put together a list of some of the best attractions and things to do in the area, from shopping and sport to food and drink.

Visit the Westfield Shopping Centre

Fancy a spot of shopping? The Westfield London Shopping Centre is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. It’s home to hundreds of shops, including all of your favourite high street, luxury and premium brands.

It also has a large choice of restaurants and bars, and is a top entertainment venue - offering everything from bowling, roller discos and wall climbing to a cinema, 4D virtual reality experiences and dedicated children’s activities. If you’re looking for somewhere to take the whole family, Westfield London could be well worth a visit.

Enjoy a show at the Bush Theatre

If you’re a lover of the arts, head to the Bush Theatre on Uxbridge Road. This fabulous venue is famous for showcasing new plays and playwrights, along with staging innovative productions.

So if you have an evening to spare in Shepherd’s Bush, this is a great place to catch a play or a performance.

Visit Shepherd's Bush Market

This vibrant, bustling market in the heart of West London has been a hub of activity for over 100 years. Here, you can find a hugely diverse range of goods, ranging from food and drink to fashion and homeware.

The market has generous opening times too, as it’s open to visitors from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.¹

Watch a football match at Loftus Road

Football fans will love soaking up the atmosphere at Loftus Road, the home of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

If you’re in town when there happens to be a match on, it’s well worth a visit to this White City stadium - which has a history dating back to 1904.

Picnic in Holland Park

This beautiful park west of Kensington Gardens offers a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Spread across a huge 54 acres, Holland Park sits on what used to be Cope Castle.²

It features formal gardens, wildlife areas, children’s play areas, large areas of wild woodland and the stunning Kyoto Japanese garden. This was designed and created to celebrate the Japan Festival held in London in 1992.²

There’s also a cafe if you want to grab some lunch or a coffee. And if you’re an active type, there are even facilities for tennis, football and netball, as well as golf and cricket practice.

Visit the Music House for Children

As well as being an important teaching centre, offering music lessons and workshops for local young people, Music House for Children also has a packed events calendar. It regularly hosts multi-arts workshops, shows, concerts and music based activities, all of which are ideal for families. It's also a great place to learn to play an instrument or to discover a love of music.

So if you’re visiting Shepherd’s Bush with little ones in tow, this could be the perfect place to bring them. You’ll find Music House for Children on Uxbridge Road, close to the centre of the Shepherd’s Bush area.

See a concert at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

One of the best live music venues in London, the iconic O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire is the ideal place to catch a gig while you’re in town.

In its history, the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Adele, Coldplay, and David Bowie. It’s also pleasantly intimate, with a capacity of only 2,000.

You might be lucky enough to catch a surprise ‘warm-up’ gig there from a major artist heading out on tour, or see an up-and-coming band before they hit the big time.

And if you’re still in the mood for more music, head to Bush Hall on Uxbridge Road. This unique venue is known for hosting some of the city’s most interesting shows and concerts.

Eat your way around Shepherd’s Bush

Shepherd’s Bush has plenty of delicious options for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. The area is home to everything from greasy spoon cafes to trendy street food. It also has some fantastic Middle Eastern restaurants.

Top places to eat in Shepherd’s Bush include the Princess Victoria, Sufi (a popular Persian restaurant) Detour Cafe and October 26, an amazing bakery on Askew Road.

Shop for fabrics on Goldhawk Road

Goldhawk Road is famous for its textiles, where there are a range of colourful, high quality shops selling fabrics and materials. It’s well worth taking a stroll down Goldhawk Road even if you’re not planning to buy any fabrics, just to take a look at the detailed prints and bright colours showcased in the shop fronts.

And if you’re feeling peckish, you can also pop into one of the great restaurants or side street pubs located in this part of Shepherd’s Bush.

Test your nerve with an escape room

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but an afternoon at Escape London will absolutely appeal to thrill-seeking groups on a trip to Shepherd’s Bush. You’ll need to find clues, solve puzzles and break codes, working together with your team to escape.

There are even a choice of rooms available at Escape London’s Shepherd’s Bush location, including The Da Vinci Room, Area 51 and The Cabin. Each offers a thrilling couple of hours in a mysterious setting, making it an ideal activity for birthdays and hen/stag parties.

Ready to plan your London trip? Get the Wise card to save on travel spending

If you’re planning a visit to London from abroad, you’ll need to find a convenient and cost-effective way to spend while in the UK.

If you use your bank card, you could get stung with high fees. If you convert cash, you could lose money to unfavourable exchange rates.

Luckily, there’s a solution available. The Wise international debit card is the ideal travel companion, as it lets you spend in the local currency in 175+ countries.

This clever contactless card automatically converts your money to GBP or the local currency wherever you are. It does this at the mid-market exchange rate, which is one of the fairest rates you can get. There’s just a small currency conversion fee, or it’s free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

The Wise card is a must-have for any upcoming trip to Shepherd’s Bush or wherever you’re heading to. It lets you spend worldwide for low fees and great exchange rates. And there’s no need to convert money or carry cash around with you.

Join Wise today

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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After reading our handy guide to Shepherd’s Bush, you should be all set to plan the trip of a lifetime. We’ve covered all of the most popular activities and attractions, along with a few hidden gems like the fabulous Goldhawk Road and its colourful fabric shops.

There’s so much to see and do here, from catching a gig at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire to sitting down to a delicious meal at an authentic local Turkish restaurant. Whatever you get up to in this part of London, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

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Sources used:

1. Shepherd’s Bush Market - Visiting
2. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea - Holland Park

Sources last checked on date: 10-Apr-2023