Ealing is known as London’s ‘Queen of Suburbs’ and provides a handy place to stay if you’re flying in or out of Heathrow Airport. Situated in West London, this former rural village is now a vibrant and diverse district with a popular shopping scene and nightlife. Situated in the heart of the London Borough of Ealing, Ealing itself is surrounded by other popular areas including Wembley to the north, Chiswick and Acton to the east, and Brentford and Kew to the south. It is well connected to the rest of London too, with four tube stations all located in Zone 3, and as it is outside of the congestion charging zone you can bring your car.

Ealing was originally known as 'Gillingas' c.700 with the name changing in the subsequent centuries to 'Illing', 'Gilling', 'Ylling' and then 'Ealing' by the 19th century. Pots from the Iron Age have been found in the area, and St Mary’s Church was built in the 12th century, but the oldest census dates back to 1599 when there were 85 households in the village. The green fields surrounding this rural village in Middlesex were full of crops and animals. The Toll Road Act meant that wealthy Londoners began to settle in the countryside of Ealing as the Uxbridge Road provided a route into the centre, with many inns being built.

The Great Western Railway’s arrival in the 1830s saw the rebuilding of Ealing, and its switch to market garden supply. It received town status in the Victorian period and its nickname ‘Queen of the Suburbs’, which it is still known by today, becoming part of Greater London in 1965. At the turn of the 20th century the film industry descended on Ealing with the arrival of a film studio that became the famous Ealing Studios. Ealing remains a popular place to live, thanks to its characterful buildings and peaceful atmosphere coupled with good road and rail links to Central London.

Ealing is one of the greenest parts of London and has pretty architecture, much of which is Victorian, so those looking for an attractive area to stay in will find this district ideal. The many parks and friendly atmosphere make it a great base for families, and there are plenty of arts venues, shops, restaurants and bars to keep visitors entertained. The diverse local population makes it a fascinating place to stay too, with London’s largest Sikh community and one of the city’s largest Polish communities calling Ealing home. Let’s not forget, either, the great road, rail and tube links that make it straightforward to travel to Heathrow Airport, the West of England and, of course, into Central London.

Ealing holds the lofty title of the ‘Queen of Suburbs’, but this does mean that as a suburb it doesn’t have as many tourist attractions as more central areas. However, there are still plenty of things to see and do in the local area, and thanks to the excellent transport links it’s easy to get to other sights in London. As a more sedate part of the capital it doesn’t have the bustling atmosphere of the West End, but that’s perfect for visitors seeking a bit of peace and tranquillity after a busy day exploring amongst the crowds of Central London!