Things to Do in the London Borough of Ealing

Looking for things to do in the London Borough of Ealing? From discovering more than 200 local artists and exploring historic houses to panoramic walks, independent cinema and one of London's great South Asian food districts, there's far more to the borough than many people realise.

This week's Discover Ealing selection combines some timely September experiences with places that are worth discovering throughout the year.

🎨 1. Follow the Borough of Ealing Art Trail

9, 12 & 13 September 2026 | Various locations | Free

This is particularly worth discovering right now. The Borough of Ealing Art Trail (BEAT) is celebrating its tenth year, with more than 230 artists exhibiting at 68 venues across the borough.

Rather than visiting a single gallery, you can create your own trail through studios, homes and community spaces, discovering painting, photography, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, sculpture and more along the way.

There is an additional evening opening at selected venues on Wednesday 9 September, followed by the main weekend on 12–13 September. (Borough of Ealing Art Trail)

Explore the 2026 Ealing Art Trail and download the trail brochure

🏛️ 2. Discover Gunnersbury Park Museum

Gunnersbury offers an easy combination of history, culture and green space.

The museum's collections tell the story of the local area, while the surrounding historic park provides plenty of space for a longer walk. There's also something new to see: Human Nature, a photography exhibition curated by Gunnersbury's Young Curators, opened on 25 August and runs until May 2027. (Gunnersbury)

📍 Gunnersbury Park House, Popes Lane, W5 4NH

Explore Gunnersbury Park Museum and current exhibitions

🌳 3. Climb Northala Fields – Northolt

Those four distinctive hills beside the A40 aren't just landmarks — you can climb them.

Northala Fields is one of the borough's most unusual green spaces. Head to the top for panoramic views before exploring the parkland, lakes and surrounding walking areas.

Northolt itself also has a less familiar historic side. Northolt Village is a conservation area centred around its village green and historic St Mary's Church. (Ealing Council)

📍 Northolt UB5

Discover Northolt and Northala Fields

🍛 4. Take a Food Journey Through Southall

You could easily make an entire afternoon out of eating your way around Southall.

Explore Southall Broadway and South Road for Punjabi and wider South Asian restaurants, vegetarian food, street snacks, bakeries, sweet shops and traditional chai.

Rather than choosing just one restaurant, wander around the neighbourhood, explore the specialist food shops and try a few different things along the way.

It's one of the experiences that makes the London Borough of Ealing such an interesting place to explore.

🌲 5. Walk Horsenden Hill – Greenford & Perivale

For a surprisingly rural experience in west London, head towards Horsenden Hill.

The summit is the highest point in the borough, and the surrounding landscape includes ancient woodland, hedgerows, wildflower meadows and waterways. On a clear day, there are excellent views from the top. (Ealing Council)

You can extend your visit towards the Grand Union Canal, making this a good starting point for a longer walk through Greenford and Perivale.

Discover Horsenden Hill and Perivale

🦊 6. Visit Hanwell Zoo & Brent Lodge Park – Hanwell

Brent Lodge Park — still affectionately known by many locals as the Bunny Park — makes an easy family day out.

At its heart is Hanwell Zoo, while the surrounding park provides space for walking, playing and picnics. The River Brent runs nearby, so you can easily extend your visit with a riverside walk.

It's a particularly good choice when you want an activity for younger children without travelling into central London.

Plan your visit to Hanwell Zoo

🎬 7. Make an Afternoon of Acton

Rather than heading somewhere for one attraction, try spending a few hours exploring Acton.

Start around Churchfield Road, with its independent cafés, restaurants, shops and pubs, before taking a walk through Acton Park.

You could finish the afternoon at ActOne Cinema, the community cinema housed in the historic Acton Library building. Acton Market also operates on Fridays and Saturdays, adding street food, crafts and produce to the area. (Ealing.com)

See what's showing at ActOne Cinema

🖼️ 8. Combine Pitzhanger Manor With Walpole Park – Ealing

Sir John Soane's former country home provides one of Ealing's best combinations of architecture, art and outdoor space.

The current exhibition, Clare Woods: Garden Without Seasons, runs until 8 November 2026. After visiting the gallery, step straight into neighbouring Walpole Park for a walk around its landscaped grounds. (Pitzhanger)

One important date for your diary: Pitzhanger will be completely closed from 9–12 September because of filming, so plan your visit outside those dates. (Pitzhanger)

📍 Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

🚶 9. Walk the Grand Union Canal

For a free day out, try seeing Ealing Borough from the towpath.

The Grand Union Canal cuts through the western side of the borough and offers a completely different perspective on places such as Southall, Greenford and Perivale.

Choose a short stretch for an afternoon stroll or make it a longer walk, stopping for food or coffee along the way.

⛪ 10. Discover Old Perivale

Perivale has some fascinating history hiding among its more familiar modern landmarks.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the 12th century and is described by Ealing Council as one of the smallest and oldest churches in Middlesex.

Perivale also gives you easy access to the Grand Union Canal, Horsenden Hill and the open spaces around the River Brent, making it an excellent starting point for a local walking day. (Ealing Council)

Discover more of Perivale

Discover More of the Borough of Ealing

From Acton's independent cinema and Southall's food culture to Hanwell's family attractions, Northolt's unusual landscape, Greenford and Perivale's countryside and Ealing's art and architecture, there's plenty to explore without leaving the borough.

Whether you're looking for a free walk, somewhere to take the children, a cultural afternoon or simply a part of Ealing you've never properly explored, sometimes the best place to start is right on your doorstep.