This peaceful locality sits nestled at the western edge of Shepherd’s Bush. A short walk away from the shopping district and music venues, this part of the neighbourhood feels a bit quieter and more residential than the surrounding areas. That’s not to say that it’s any less exciting though. The streets are lined with interesting independent eateries like Bears Ice Cream Company, The Crown & Sceptre and October 26 Bakery. With Edwardian terraced houses that are slightly more affordable than neighbouring Notting Hall, the area attracts many young professionals and students. Families in search of great schooling options are also drawn to the neighbourhood though. Whether it’s Hammersmith Academy, Greenside Primary, or The Good Shepherd, the area is bursting with great schooling choices. Additionally, Leith’s School of Food and Wine brings aspiring chefs to the area, many of which try to frequent the neighbourhood’s delicious restaurants like Sufi, The Orchard Tavern, and Som Tam House. For those hoping to move close to the convenient Shepherd’s Bush happenings but in search of something a bit more community-oriented, this is surely the place.

Before the 19th century, the neighbourhood was largely just farms and other rural areas. By the 1840s though, London had begun to expand to the west, turning the rural and village-based locales into more urban districts. In 1864, the Metropolitan Railway arrived in Shepherd’s Bush, and dramatically altered the state of the neighbourhood. Not only did housing development pickup, but tourists began to arrive in the area as large global events began to be held nearby in White City. Today this part of the neighbourhood remains more residential than the eastern segment, providing locals a quiet escape from the busy shopping district.

The area is home to Ravenscourt Studios. These recording studios are well known within the music industry and have seen many famous artists come through its doors. Some of them include Ellie Goulding, Olly Murs and One Direction.

Unfortunately, this part of the neighbourhood isn’t serviced by any tube lines. Residents don’t find this to be a huge issue though as it’s just a short walk to any of the other tube stations in Shepherd’s Bush and White City.

Development interest in Shepherd’s Bush has increased steadily over the past few years. The council of Hammersmith and Fulham has encouraged new development while maintaining an active role in reshaping the area, through its own construction initiatives as well as through monitoring the activities of private developers, especially to make sure that new construction does not only target luxury residents.

The Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham recently published their newest local plan. Within the plan, they’ve committed to focusing on the provision of more housing in the Shepherd’s Bush area. Additionally, they will be looking for ways to provide more employment opportunities throughout the neighbourhood. While few specifics have been announced, it’s good to see the council getting involved, ensuring that development is not only targeted towards luxury residents.

In September 2022, the council announced that it would redevelop two primary schools into housing, with 50 per cent of the flats offered at ‘affordable’ prices and 50 per cent private leasehold, with the council always remaining as the freeholder of the site. The money from selling the new homes will fund the upgrading of the Avonmore Primary School and Flora Gardens Primary School. Plans were also submitted for the regeneration of the former Shepherd’s Bush Police Station site on Uxbridge Road. These plans seek approval to demolish the existing building and provide a new development of 54 high quality homes, together with a new 300 sq m flexible commercial/community space that contributes to the commercial vitality of Uxbridge Road. Not too far off, near Westfield White City, the owner of the shopping centre has unveiled updated plans for a large complex of 9 blocks, including 46-storey tower that could become the tallest building in all of West London. Westfield wishes through this scheme to build 1,760 flats, 355 of which would be discounted from market rates (with 89 classed as “affordable” and 266 as “intermediate”). The plans have proven to be controversial considering that they only offer 20% of total housing as affordable, far below the council’s targets.

All of these proposals have yet to receive the council’s stamp of approval, but the ambition of these schemes reveals the area’s consistent and increasing desirability and bustling mixed-use environment.