London West London

West London is more of a geographical description than a contained and coherent neighborhood, and most people venture here with a destination in mind—this isn’t the place for delightful discovery. Stretching for miles before petering out in the nearby hills, the area is intersected by the Thames, which changes course so often and so sharply that communities have developed almost in isolation from their neighbors. Shepherd’s Bush, one of these relatively autonomous districts, distinguishes itself as home to a number of well-known concert halls and theaters like the 02, as well as the Westfield Shopping Center, the largest urban shopping mall in Europe. Hammersmith is also composed largely of shopping malls and entertainment venues, but it has a number of pleasant parks and pubs along the Thames. To the north, White City is home to the world-famous BBC, while farther west Kew hosts the Royal Botanic Gardens. Historically, the western reaches of the Thames were fashionable spots for country retreats, and the river still winds through the grounds of stately homes and former palaces. The District Line goes to most sights, though you’ll be heading into zones 3-4.

More Neighborhood Overviews in London

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