Things to do in the Borough of Ealing - this week! |
8 Hidden Gems and Autumn Places to Explore |
Things to Do & Discover in the London Borough of Ealing - 20–26 2026
Looking for things to do in Ealing this autumn? From colourful woodland walks and historic buildings to independent shops, family attractions and fascinating local landmarks, the London Borough of Ealing has plenty to discover.
With the autumn half-term approaching, this week's Discover Ealing guide features a mixture of family-friendly attractions, free outdoor experiences and lesser-known places across Ealing, Acton, Southall, Hanwell, Greenford, Northolt and Perivale.
Unlike our weekly What's On guide, these are places you can enjoy throughout the season, not just on a particular date.
1. Discover Fox Wood, One of Ealing's Hidden Nature Reserves – EalingFor an autumn walk away from the busier parks, Fox Wood is a rewarding local discovery. Situated near Hanger Lane, this Local Nature Reserve contains remnants of ancient woodland, with mature trees, wildlife habitats and seasonal woodland plants. The wood occupies part of a former reservoir site, adding an interesting historical dimension to the landscape. November is a good time to enjoy the changing leaves and look for woodland birds. Location: Fox Lane and Hillcrest Road, Ealing. Fox Wood – official park information 2. Explore North Acton Playing Fields and Pavilion – ActonNorth Acton Playing Fields offers more than traditional sports facilities. The park includes open green space, a children's playground, tennis courts and the North Acton Pavilion, which serves as a community, arts and cultural hub. Visitors can enjoy a relaxed walk, spend time with the children or explore the pavilion's activities when sessions are scheduled. It's an accessible neighbourhood destination for families looking for something simple and affordable. Location: Noel Road and Eastfields Road, Acton W3 0JF. North Acton Playing Fields – visitor information 3. Discover Glade Lane Canalside Park – SouthallSouthall has some excellent green spaces beyond its busy shopping streets, and Glade Lane Canalside Park is one of the most interesting. The park combines recreational facilities with nature conservation habitats, including meadows, ponds and hedgerows. Families will find a playground, BMX track, basketball facilities and a skateboard ramp. One of its more unusual features is a turf maze inspired by traditional Celtic designs. It's a good destination for children who enjoy outdoor activities and families wanting to explore a different side of Southall. Location: Glade Lane and Windmill Lane, Southall. Glade Lane Canalside Park – official park information 4. Explore Elthorne Park and Its Historic Bandstand – HanwellFor a combination of history, green space and wildlife, head to Elthorne Park in Hanwell. The park contains an old bandstand and a large Sarsen stone discovered locally, both reminders of the area's heritage. Visitors can explore the park's open spaces before continuing towards Elthorne Waterside, where wetlands and the nearby canal provide opportunities for wildlife watching. The park also has a children's playground and tennis courts, making it suitable for families as well as walkers. Location: Boston Road, Hanwell. Elthorne Park – specific visitor information 5. Discover Ancient Woodland at Grove Farm – GreenfordOne of Greenford's lesser-known natural attractions is Grove Farm Local Nature Reserve. The reserve contains ancient woodland, wild service trees and woodland flowers, with a circular walking path allowing visitors to explore the site. During autumn, the woodland offers a peaceful setting for nature photography, birdwatching and short walks. Grove Farm is particularly appealing for residents who want to experience a natural woodland environment without travelling outside London. Location: Whitton Avenue West, Dimmock Drive and Lilian Board Way, Greenford. Grove Farm – specific nature reserve information 6. Enjoy a Family Walk Through Islip Manor Park – NortholtIslip Manor Park is an attractive neighbourhood park with a mixture of open grassland, mature trees and wildlife habitats. Once part of the historic Islip Manor Estate, the park now offers playgrounds for different age groups, sports facilities and space for relaxed walks. Its nature conservation areas support wildflowers, birds and insects, while the mature trees provide plenty of autumn colour. The park is also close to Northolt Underground station, making it an easy destination for visitors arriving by public transport. Location: Mandeville Road, Eastcote Lane and Islip Manor Road, Northolt. Islip Manor Park – official visitor information 7. Go Birdwatching at Paradise Fields – PerivaleFor wildlife enthusiasts, Paradise Fields offers a surprisingly peaceful wetland environment. Situated near Horsenden Hill, the reserve contains ponds, reed beds, wildflower meadows and a lagoon that attracts birds and other wildlife. A viewing platform provides a place to observe the wetland without disturbing its inhabitants. The area also connects with the Capital Ring walking route, making it an appealing destination for anyone interested in exploring London's network of green spaces. Bring binoculars if you have them and allow time to enjoy the quieter surroundings. Location: Near Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal, Perivale. Paradise Fields – nature reserve information 8. Explore the Independent Shopping Scene Around Pitshanger Lane – EalingIf outdoor walks aren't your preference, spend an afternoon exploring Pitshanger Lane, one of Ealing's best-known neighbourhood shopping streets. The area has a village-like atmosphere, with independent shops, cafés, restaurants and local services. It's an enjoyable destination for browsing, meeting friends for coffee or discovering a new place for lunch. Combine your visit with a walk through nearby Pitshanger Park, where the River Brent and surrounding green spaces provide a pleasant contrast to the shopping street. Location: Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5. Discover More of the London Borough of EalingFrom the woodland at Fox Wood and Grove Farm to Southall's Glade Lane Canalside Park, Hanwell's historic bandstand and the wetlands of Paradise Fields, there's much more to discover in the borough than its best-known attractions. Whether you're searching for free things to do in Ealing, family-friendly places to visit, autumn walks or hidden gems in west London, each of the borough's seven towns has something worth exploring. November is a particularly good time to enjoy the changing landscapes, discover a new neighbourhood and support the local places that make Ealing distinctive. For performances, markets, workshops and activities happening on specific dates, explore our separate What's On in the Borough of Ealing This Week guide. ====== And if you're looking specifically for events happening this week or this weekend, our separate What's On in the Borough of Ealing guide covers the latest events and activities.
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I like that the suggestions cover Greenford and Perivale too, it's easy to forget how much green space we have nearby.
The Japanese garden at Hanger Hill Park is peaceful, but I'd rather it stayed a little bit of a secret.
We took the children around Acton Park last weekend and they loved it, might try the cinema next time.
I'd pick the longer Northolt route over two laps of Ravenor Park, though it's good to have a shorter option too.
It's good to have some free half-term ideas, a walk by the viaduct sounds more interesting than another shopping trip.
Does anyone know if you can ever go inside Southall Manor House? I'd be interested to see more than the grounds.
Churchfield Road is worth a wander after Acton Park, the independent cafés make it easy to turn into a whole afternoon.
The canal path near Perivale can get muddy after rain, so I'd take decent shoes if going towards Horsenden Hill.
I didn't realise there were remains of a moated manor near Belvue Park, that's one for our next Northolt walk.
Southall Manor House and its grounds appear twice on the list, would have been nice to see another spot instead.
The wheelchair-accessible route at Ravenor Park is useful to know about, my mum prefers a walk without uneven paths.
The Wharncliffe Viaduct looks brilliant from the paths near Brent Lodge Park, especially when the trees start changing colour.
It's nice to see Southall Manor House included, I pass the grounds often but have never stopped to look around.
Acton Park and a film at ActOne sounds like a good half-term afternoon, especially if the weather turns.
I had no idea there was a Japanese garden in Hanger Hill Park, it sounds like a lovely place for an autumn walk.