Holiday apartment in Ealing: film history, parks and culture

Ealing is shaped by an exceptional film history, listed architecture, museums, parks, canals and protected natural areas.

Culture and Film

A prominent cultural starting point is Pitzhanger Manor. The manor house is designated as a Grade I listed building and was designed in 1800 by architect John Soane. Pitzhanger Gallery presents major exhibitions by contemporary artists and designers. Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery also offers educational and outreach programmes.

Film history is also inseparably linked to Ealing. Due to their architecture and connection with film history, Ealing Film Studios are the most historically significant surviving film studios in England. Ealing Studios are also the world's oldest continuously operating film production facility. Their sound stages and studios continue to be used for British television series and feature films.

The Questors Theatre complements this cultural scene with two venues of different sizes: the Judi Dench Playhouse has 350 seats, while the Studio Theatre has 90 seats. Each year, the programme includes 15 to 20 productions, including modern dramas and comedies as well as classics of British and international theatre. In addition, the Questors Theatre offers theatre education for all age groups.

Parks and Green Spaces

Walpole Park is located on the edge of Ealing Broadway, behind Pitzhanger Manor House. The Ealing Summer Festival takes place in the park. It can be reached via Ealing Broadway station on the Central and District lines.

Pitshanger Park is located in Brent River Park and is designated as Metropolitan Open Land. Footpaths and cycle paths connect it with St Mary's, Perivale and Gurnell. The River Brent runs along the northern side of Pitshanger Park, providing a setting for riverside walks.

Gunnersbury Park and Museum comprises a 72-hectare heritage park between Hounslow and Ealing. Gunnersbury Park Museum has a collection of around 50,000 museum and archive objects and hosts free exhibitions on local art and culture throughout the year.

Canals and Paths

The Hanwell Lock Flight is located on the Grand Union Canal and offers the opportunity for a walk with a rural character. The towpath alongside the Hanwell Lock Flight also enables a car-free cycle ride to the canal's confluence with the River Thames. The locks and side pounds of the Hanwell Lock Flight, as well as the wall of St Bernard's Hospital running along the towpath between Three Bridges and Lock 96, are designated as a Scheduled Monument.

Nature and Wildlife

Horsenden Hill is a piece of original landscape in the suburban area and is managed for nature conservation by Ealing's parks and landscape service. Friends of Horsenden regularly organise guided nature walks there. The northern part of the woodland was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1991 and is particularly valuable because of the ancient woodland species found there. The woodland offers opportunities to observe wildflowers, birds and animals.

At Hanwell Zoo, visitors can see and experience small mammals, exotic birds and reptiles up close. Hanwell Zoo includes a maze made up of 2,000 yew trees. Brent Lodge Park near Hanwell Zoo also has a café and a play area.

Local Life

The Ealing Farmers Market takes place every Saturday in West Ealing. Southall offers a diverse selection of food stalls as well as Asian and European clothing and electronics. Alongside the parks, museums and cultural venues, regular markets and shopping destinations are therefore also central to the area's local diversity.

More local destinations: Ealing, Southall, Northolt.

For the broader travel overview: Greater London.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Greenwich, Southwark, Islington, Kensington And Chelsea, Westminster.