The best areas to live in West London include Ealing, Acton, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Brentford, Richmond, Harrow and Ruislip. Each offers a different balance of transport, town-centre facilities, access to green space and proximity to the Thames.
Ealing and Acton are useful starting points if transport choice is a priority. Chiswick, Brentford and Richmond offer locations near the Thames. Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush provide a busier urban setting, while Harrow and Ruislip extend the search into outer London.
There is no single neighbourhood that will suit every buyer. Compare the areas below, choose two or three that meet your priorities, then investigate individual streets and properties.
If you are considering different ways to buy, you can also explore Shared Ownership homes in London.
West London areas at a glance
- Ealing: Elizabeth line access and a substantial town centre
- Acton: a wide choice of rail and Underground stations
- Southall: Elizabeth line services and a changing town centre
- Chiswick: access to the Thames, green spaces and local shops
- Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush: extensive public transport and an urban setting
- Brentford: waterways and ongoing town-centre development
- Richmond: parks, the Thames and several forms of public transport
- Harrow and Ruislip: outer London centres with access to open space
These are starting points rather than a formal ranking. Transport, noise, walking routes and local facilities can vary between nearby streets.
What counts as West London?
There is no single West London boundary used for every administrative, planning or property purpose.
The London Plan’s borough classifications place Hammersmith and Fulham within inner London. Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames are classed as outer London boroughs.
This guide uses West London as a practical geographical description. It focuses on neighbourhoods that people may compare when looking for a home west of central London.
Ealing
Ealing is a useful place to begin if you want Elizabeth line access, a large town centre and a choice of residential neighbourhoods.
Ealing Broadway is served by the Elizabeth, Central and District lines, together with National Rail services. West Ealing and Hanwell provide further Elizabeth line options. Current routes and interchanges are available through the official Transport for London Elizabeth line route.
Central Ealing provides access to a larger commercial centre, while West Ealing and Hanwell offer alternatives farther west on the same line. These areas should be compared separately rather than treated as one uniform location.
Check before choosing: Walk the route between the property, station and services you expect to use. A home described as close to a station may still involve a busy road or indirect pedestrian route.
Acton
Acton is worth exploring if having a choice of transport routes is high on your list.
Different parts of Acton are served by the Elizabeth, Central, Piccadilly and District lines, London Overground and National Rail. The stations are spread across separate parts of the area, so the most useful connection will depend on the property’s exact location.
The Acton regeneration framework also recognises that major roads and railway lines can make some local journeys less direct.
Walk between a prospective home, the station you would use and the nearest local centre. A short distance on a map may include a railway bridge, busy junction or indirect crossing.
For a closer look at the area, read our guide to living in Acton.
You can also explore Shared Ownership homes at The Bollo Collection, between Acton and Chiswick. Check the development page for current property information and availability.
Southall
Southall combines Elizabeth line access with a substantial town centre and areas of newer development.
The Elizabeth line connects Southall with stations in central London and towards Heathrow. Current route information is available from Transport for London.
Ealing Council’s Southall regeneration framework describes development that has already taken place and sets out longer-term planning aims for the town.
Plans may change, and their inclusion within a framework does not guarantee delivery. If you are looking close to a development site, distinguish between completed facilities, active building work and longer-term proposals.
Check before choosing: Look at current construction, the walking route to the station and the property-specific costs and management arrangements attached to any apartment.
Chiswick
Chiswick combines an established town centre with local green spaces and access to the Thames.
Hounslow Council identifies Chiswick Common, Turnham Green, Chiswick House and Gardens and riverfront walks among the area’s features. Further information is available through Hounslow Council’s Chiswick town-centre page.
Transport varies across the wider neighbourhood. Depending on the address, you may need to compare routes from Turnham Green, Chiswick Park, Gunnersbury or nearby National Rail stations.
Much of Chiswick town centre falls within conservation areas. This can affect some property alterations, although the position will depend on the individual address and proposed work.
Check before choosing: Confirm which station provides the most suitable journey. For a property near the Thames or another watercourse, consult the government’s long-term flood-risk service and complete the appropriate property-specific enquiries.
Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush
Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush offer a busier urban setting with major transport connections, shopping areas and entertainment venues.
Hammersmith is served by several Underground lines. Shepherd’s Bush has Central line and London Overground services, as well as an extensive bus network.
Local outdoor spaces include Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith Park, Brook Green and Wormwood Scrubs. Locations and current facilities are available through the council’s parks and open spaces directory.
Conditions can change considerably between a main road and a nearby residential street. Some locations may also be affected by railway lines, entertainment venues or event activity.
Check before choosing: Visit during the periods when you are most likely to be at home. If the property is near a major venue, compare normal conditions with those on an event day.
Brentford
Brentford provides a waterside setting shaped by the River Thames, River Brent and Grand Union Canal.
The town centre is changing through development and public-space proposals. Hounslow Council’s Brentford regeneration information explains the current planning context.
Planning documents can show how an area may change, but masterplans can be revised and do not guarantee that every element will be delivered.
Brentford can also be compared with nearby Isleworth, Chiswick and Kew. These places have different transport connections and immediate surroundings, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.
Check before choosing: Establish what is complete, what is under construction and what remains proposed. Apartment buyers should obtain information about the lease, service charges, building insurance, planned works and management arrangements.
Richmond
Richmond combines a substantial town centre with access to the Thames, parks and several types of public transport.
Richmond station provides National Rail, London Overground and Underground services. The wider borough includes Kew, Twickenham and Teddington, each with its own station, local centre and transport options.
Outdoor spaces across the borough can be explored through Richmond Council’s parks and open spaces service.
Richmond, Kew, Twickenham and Teddington should be compared separately when considering a regular journey. A route from one station may be considerably less convenient for your destination than a route from another.
Check before choosing: Test the full journey and examine flood risk for properties near the Thames. Streets near major venues may also experience temporary changes in traffic and pedestrian activity during events.
Harrow and Ruislip
Harrow and Ruislip extend the search into outer West London.
Harrow contains several distinct centres and station areas, including Harrow-on-the-Hill, West Harrow and North Harrow. Information about local outdoor spaces is available through Harrow Council’s parks service.
Ruislip, Eastcote and Ickenham have different Underground stations and route options. Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve also offers marked walking routes, with information available through Hillingdon Council’s Ruislip Woods guide.
These locations may involve a longer journey for some destinations than areas closer to central London. The practical trade-off will depend on the home and surroundings available within your budget.
Check before choosing: Compare the nearest station, the door-to-door journey and the distance to the shops and services you expect to use regularly.
How to compare your shortlist
Choose two or three areas that meet your main priorities, then compare the individual properties and streets within them.
Depending on the home and your circumstances, consider:
- The door-to-door journey at the time you normally travel
- Evening and weekend public transport
- Step-free access where needed
- Traffic, railway, aircraft, construction and event noise
- Nearby planning applications
- Whether nearby developments are complete, under construction or proposed
- Conservation-area or listed-building status
- Freehold or leasehold tenure
- Remaining lease length where applicable
- Service charges and planned major works
- Building management and insurance arrangements
- Parking restrictions
- Broadband availability at the full address
- Condition of the property and communal areas
- Long-term flood risk
- School admissions arrangements
This is a general starting point rather than a complete homebuying checklist. The enquiries needed will depend on the individual property, its tenure, condition and location.
Families can use the government’s school comparison service to view published school information. Living near a school does not guarantee admission, so check current arrangements with the relevant admissions authority.
If you are preparing to purchase your first property, read the Guinness Homes first-time buyer guide. You can also learn how Shared Ownership works before comparing available homes.
Choosing where to live in West London
Start with the type of property you need, the complete housing costs you can manage and the journeys you make regularly.
Ealing and Acton provide a broad choice of transport connections. Chiswick, Brentford and Richmond offer locations near the Thames. Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush provide a more urban setting, while Harrow and Ruislip extend the search into outer London.
Create a shortlist of two or three areas, visit the streets and test the journeys that apply to the homes you are considering. Focus on services and facilities that are available now, while treating future development separately.
The best West London neighbourhood is the one that provides the most suitable balance of home, costs, transport and immediate surroundings for your circumstances.
This article provides general information about West London neighbourhoods. It does not constitute legal, financial, mortgage, tax, investment, insurance, planning or surveying advice. It does not recommend or endorse an individual property, development or location.
Transport, accessibility, school, flood-risk, planning and development information can change. Proposed projects may be altered, delayed or not delivered. Verify current information with the relevant organisation and obtain property-specific advice where appropriate.
A mortgage valuation is prepared primarily for the lender and should not be treated as a full survey or independent assessment of a property’s condition. Your home may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or other payments secured on it.
