Why Ealing and West London are perfect for family living

Home to some of West London’s most leafy neighbourhoods, such as Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, Northolt, Park Royal and more, the Borough of Ealing earned itself the title of ‘Queen of the Suburbs’ in the late 19th century. Today, the area, including extended parts of West London like Hayes and Southall, has become increasingly popular with families looking for affordable, good houses close to top-quality schools and infrastructure.

Since the Elizabeth Line’s opening in 2022, commutes to central London’s financial and business districts have improved significantly, as has accessibility to Heathrow Airport, spiking housing demand in Ealing and surrounding areas.

Open green spaces and activities for children

One reason Ealing came to be known as the ‘Queen of the Suburbs’ was its access to many open green spaces spanning hundreds of acres. Grade II-listed Walpole Park, home to the famous Pitzhanger Manor, is a big attraction; Gunnersbury Park, Ealing Common, Hanwell Zoo, Northala Fields and the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are popular recreational spots for families. The area also features dozens of museums, including the London Transport Museum Depot, The Musical Museum, Hogarth’s House, Doll’s House, and more.

Quality education with highly rated schools

Ealing has many options for parents looking to settle down in a neighbourhood with well-regarded schools. Nine out of 10 schools in the Borough are rated either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, with the local council striving to improve academic output. While Oaklands Primary, Three Bridges, Elthorne Park and Drayton Manor are some top options for parents looking for ‘Outstanding’ schools, colleges such as the University of West London, Ealing Green College, MetFilm School, and London College of Music enrol thousands of students each year.

Festivals and community events

As a melting pot of cultures, Ealing and its surrounding West London suburbs celebrate many festivals and cultural events to encourage a sense of community. In addition to a Jazz and Blues Festival each year, the area’s Comedy Festival, Beer Festival and fun fairs organised by the South Asian community attract families from all across the city. Carnivals in Greenford and Acton are popular community events organised every summer.

Shopping and dine-out options

The main shopping area near Ealing Broadway Station is a bustling town square with several high-street brands, cinemas, cafes, boutiques and restaurants. Whether it is a fresh catch off the Dorset coast or heritage apples and plums from Essex, you’ll find them all at the local farmers’ market on Leeland Road every Saturday.

Excellent transport and connectivity

Served by multiple Underground stations across Zones 3 and 4, residents of Ealing can reach central London in less than half an hour via the District, Picadilly and Central lines. The Elizabeth Line has further enhanced commuting to and from Ealing and West London by extending further West to Slough and Reading. With the terminals of Heathrow Airport just minutes away, family holidays and leisure trips further afield are now more convenient than ever.

An abundance of period family houses

According to Ealing’s council reports, almost 60% of all housing in the western Borough was built before 1945, offering spacious layouts conducive to families. Famous for its terraced detached and semi-detached Edwardian and Victorian houses built in the 1920s and 30s, Ealing’s vibrant W and UB postcodes offer plenty of open spaces and amenities for family living. At Benham & Reeves, we have an exciting collection of freehold family properties for sale in Ealing and nearby areas.

Here’s what our sales manager at the Ealing branch of Benham and Reeves, Thomas Grossi, says about property demand by families in the neighbourhood, “We have many buyers, primarily local families, calling in each week to register their property search criteria. They like being close to schools for children but also within walking distance of transport links and access to parks and green spaces.”

If you have a property in Ealing or anywhere in West London you want to sell or rent out, you can request a free property valuation from us today. As London’s leading estate and lettings agent with 21 branches across the capital, we have helped thousands of landlords and sellers maximise their property value.