Off the Beaten Path: Chiswick

County: Greater London

As I’ve said many times, I have a thing for Chiswick. London overwhelms the senses, and Chiswick is a calm respite located about 45 minutes due west of central London by underground. It has great connections into the city, lots of shops, and a country/yuppie/suburban vibe.

The Environment

Chiswick has leafy-lined streets, boutique stores and restaurants, charity shops, underground connections, and is local to some pretty interesting sights! Last year, just outside the underground, Sharon and I noticed a church fair going on in the park. We joined the crowds for live music, craft booths, outdoor food stands, and exhibitions. It was a lovely, free adventure that really centered me in that community soul space. You can walk along the river or visit the local park and immerse yourself in nature and all the amenities of a city in one package!

My Hotel

My hotel of choice in Chiswick is always the Best Western Chiswick Palace Hotel and Suites. In Britain, Best Western is more a collection of private hotels which gives it that personal touch!

The Chiswick Palace has an imposing white front, off street parking, and super amenities. I always ask for a room in the main hotel as they do have an annex that’s a bit run down. Rooms in the main hotel have all been nice and one or two were even luxurious! Traveling as a single, you typically get smaller, single rooms. But I’ve been blessed by unexpected upgrades as well. Plus, with this hotel, you can rack up reward points with Best Western! Not too shabby.

They offer a breakfast that’s a pretty typical Best Western breakfast, but last time I was there, the price was not included in my room fee (which it had been before). You can get better breakfast fare out on the streets than in the hotel for a better price. Just shop around! Check out the local eateries. There are so many great choices!

Getting There and Heathrow

If you Google it, the information tells you that the Best Western hotel is a six minute walk from the Turnham Green underground station. I would estimate more like 10-15 minutes and about half a mile. If you’re hauling luggage, it’s challenging, but doable and you get such a nice space for the short walk.

You have decent connections to Heathrow via the District and Piccadilly lines on the underground. There is usually a change involved at Acton Town, but there is also a mythical direct connection via Piccadilly straight from Turnham Green (I’ve yet to make the direct connection). When I asked someone at the station, I was told that the Piccadilly line only runs very early in the morning. That’s from 6:50 to 7:45 Monday to Saturday and late evenings from 22:30 until the last train. However, I just read that there is a movement to upgrade the line to run all day from Turnham Green after 2018, so watch this space!

Things to Do in Chiswick

Though I use Chiswick as a London base many times on my trips, it is also a destination in and of itself. Within easy reach is Kew Gardens which houses the “largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world.” Kew Gardens is only two underground stops from Turnham Green or a quick bus ride from your hotel.

Take the District line east and alight at Earl’s Court to catch another branch of the District line directly to Wimbledon. I may have to do that this year to get my mom a tennis shirt!

Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Hyde Park, and other places of interest are within a 30-minute reach of your hotel by mass transit. As you can tell, Chiswick has a lot to offer!

Restaurants

Most of the restaurants I’ve tried are along Turnham Green Terrace. This street runs just outside the Turnham Green underground and offers so much for the discerning tourist.

There is one restaurant I never miss called the Maison Blanc which is an artisanal bakery and café with a nice menu and elegant desserts. (I, personally, am a fan of their eclairs.)

We had a lovely meal at the Cote Brasserie and can tell you that there is no lack of food for any palate. From burgers to pizza, fish-n-chips and pubs to upper crust bistros – this area has it all!

Shops

Everything you need or could possibly want is in this area. From nail salons to Cath Kidson home goods. There are charity shops (I always love a find) to children’s and book stores. Hard to find something negative about such a groovy town.

The Good, The Bad, and The Best

Chiswick is a fantastic base for your London adventure IF you are not bothered that it takes about 45 minutes to get to the center of the city. For those who are short on time in London and want to be near it all, you are probably better served by a hotel closer to the sightseeing spots.

If you’re in town for several days and need a place to de-stress from the manic crowds of London, then I’d recommend Chiswick, by all means! It’s in between London and Heathrow which makes it a great choice if you’re on your way in or out of the country. The country atmosphere so close to the city is charming, and there is always something to see and do. As one TripAdvisor reviewer put it, “[Chiswick] gives you an appreciation of how life can be simple, enjoyable, and peaceful.”

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