Fun Things to Do in West London

London is one of the world’s huge mega cities full of approximately a zillion things to do on any given day. It can be an overwhelming place, especially for a new arrival who doesn’t know anyone and is attempting to get by on what the internet and guidebooks tells them. Sure, there are all of the usual sights that can be found in and around the city’s centre. But why not branch out and explore a bit and try something a bit off the beaten path.

For me, London’s charms lie in the various suburbs scattered all around the centre – all the way out to zone six where Heathrow Airport lives in the West of the city. Since you’ll likely be flying in and out of Heathrow, why not take it as an opportunity to explore London’s west side. No, not the West End… the real west side of the city.

First up, why not see where the nation’s (and a lot of the world’s) news comes from by taking a tour of the BBC Studios located at the White City Underground stop. Check out the newsroom, dressing rooms and plenty of props from famous BBC shows.

While you’re in the neighbourhood, take a short stroll south towards Shepherd’s Bush and you’ll find the huge new Westfield London Shopping Centre there. This place is packed with shops, with a decent mix of shops for us mere mortals along with higher end places. There are plenty of great places to eat and shoppers could easily spend an entire day wandering around. The nearby library makes a nice quiet refuge from the busy mall.

Wembley Stadium lives out in West London in Brent and sports fans (or fans of major events in general) shouldn’t miss a stadium tour. The 90,000-seater stadium has recently undergone £35 in refurbishment work and has to be seen to be believed. Make sure to take a walk under the iconic Stadium Arch that can be seen from much of London.

Get off at the Notting Hill Gate stop to explore the antique shops and art galleries of Portabello Road. They’re open all week but the street is best visited on Saturday when hundreds of market stalls pop up selling all kinds of fabulous finds.

If you’d like to go for a beautiful walk, check out the snaking canals of Little Venice which are home to beautiful canal boats. The canals stretch all over the UK and canal boat is a great way to explore. But, as you don’t have a boat of your own, just explore the area taking in the sights and sounds. You can follow the canals through to Camden Market for some seriously entertaining and exciting market shopping.

There you have it! London isn’t just about the centre of town. There’s a lot on offer all around the city, particularly in West London. Get out there and explore!