Living in Ealing
Dubbed ‘Queen of the Suburbs’, Ealing is a thriving residential town offering green spaces, excellent transport links, top-rated schools and vibrant retail and leisure options.
About Ealing
Ealing sits perfectly between city life and countryside calm, offering semi-rural retreat with all the perks of London living. Today, its leafy streets and huge Victorian homes, coupled with great transport connections to central London, make it a popular choice for families, professionals and creatives alike.
With Elizabeth line stations at Ealing Broadway, West Ealing and Hanwell, the area is more connected than ever. New developments like Dickens Yard and Filmworks are attracting buyers looking for modern living with fast access to the City and Canary Wharf.
Fact file
- Ealing Studios is the world’s oldest film studio. Famous for its 1950s comedies – some of the most enduring classics in British cinema.
- Ealing Art College has some very well-known alumni, including Pete Townshend of The Who, Queen’s Freddie Mercury and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones.
- The Ealing Lawn Tennis Club’s produced three Wimbledon champions in its first 30 years, with 18 singles titles and 17 runner-up finishes.
Architecture and property
The Ealing property market is rich in architectural variety, thanks in part to Charles Jones, the borough’s first architect and surveyor. His legacy includes civic landmarks like Ealing Town Hall, built in Gothic Revival style.
One of the most desirable areas is Mount Park Conservation Area, known for its five and six-bedroom Victorian detached homes. Ealing Village, a Grade II listed Art Deco estate, was designed in the 1930s to attract film stars and features a private road, pool and tennis court.
Flats around Ealing Common, such as those in Gunnersbury Manor, are highly sought after. For apartment living, buyers can choose from period conversions or luxury new builds in The Apex, Dickens Yard and Filmworks.
Going out
Ealing offers a lively social scene with something for everyone. The Grange, a popular Young’s pub on the common, is a local favourite. Bobo Social is a standout restaurant just 19 minutes from Ealing Broadway station.
Near West Ealing station, The Drayton Court Hotel and Pub boasts one of London’s largest pub gardens, perfect for summer afternoons.
Culture thrives at The Questors Theatre, one of Europe’s largest amateur theatres, and OPEN Ealing, a creative hub hosting exhibitions and performances. After a show, locals head to the Grapevine Bar for drinks and conversation. Ealing’s summer calendar is packed with events. Ealing Summer Festivals include the Blues Festival, Jazz Festival, Comedy Festival and the long-running Ealing Beer Festival, now in its 34th year.
Local amenities
Ealing offers a wealth of amenities that make it one of West London’s most convenient and well-equipped neighbourhoods. At the heart of the area is the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre, a one-stop destination for retail therapy, featuring high-street staples such as Boots, Marks & Spencer, Argos, and a selection of fashion boutiques.
The centre also houses a public library and a Nuffield Health gym with a pool and crèche, making it ideal for families and professionals alike.
For everyday essentials, Ealing is home to branches of all major supermarkets, including Waitrose in West Ealing and Sainsbury’s on Melbourne Avenue, both with on-site parking.
For fresh, organic produce, locals head to the Ealing Farmers’ Market on Leeland Road every Saturday morning, where stallholders like The Hand Picked Shellfish Company and Bath Soft Cheese Company offer top-quality goods.
Ealing also caters well to wellness and beauty needs, with reasonably priced spas and salons such as Life Spa. Local favourites enjoy Body & Sole, known for its highly rated massages. Book lovers are drawn to the Pitshanger Bookshop, a cherished independent store that’s been helping locals discover their next great read for nearly two decades.
Green spaces
With easy access to the M40 to the north and the M4 to the south, you'd be surprised to hear that Ealing is an impressively green area. The borough is dotted with small parks and bordered by larger open spaces, offering residents easy access to nature.
At the heart of the borough lies Walpole Park, home to the historic Sir John Soane designed Pitzhanger Manor. Nearby Lammas Park and Ealing Common are popular for weekend sports and picnics. Fox Wood Nature Reserve is one of the few remaining woodland areas in the borough offering a peaceful escape.