Two large Westfield shopping centres (or ‘malls’ if you prefer the American term) are within easy reach of central London. One in west London (Westfield London) and another in east London (Westfield Stratford).

Shopping centres might not be to everyone’s taste, but they’re convenient if you want to do all your shopping under one roof. And a major benefit at both Westfield malls is there are decent places to eat.

If you’re in London for a short trip, you probably won’t have the time or the inclination to visit both, so here’s a quick summary of what to expect at both centres.

Westfield London – quick overview

The first Westfield, in the Shepherds Bush/White City area of west London, is now the largest shopping centre in Europe. It’s built on two levels, square shaped with a large inner atrium giving it a light and airy feel. The walkways are wide, so it doesn’t seem crowded and there’s plenty of seating to rest your weary legs (whether you’ll find a seat at the weekend is another matter).

It’s easy to get to from central London (12 minutes from Oxford Circus by tube).

Westfield Stratford – quick overview

Westfield Stratford is London’s opened in 2011. It’s located in Stratford next door to the Olympic Park in east London. Built on three levels in a crescent shape, it’s more compact and easy to walk around with escalators at each end. However, the walkways are narrower giving it a more crowded feel and there aren’t as many places to sit and rest if you’re not eating. Most seats are on the top floor.

It’s slightly further from central London (20 minutes from Oxford Circus by tube).

Shops

What do they have in common? At both centres women’s clothes and shoe shops are the most common type of shop including many non-British shops not normally found on the UK high street.

Both Westfields have an Apple store.

Westfield London

There’s a good range of shops from mid-price to designer. Westfield London is definitely the better choice if you’re looking for designer clothes. When the sales are on, if you want to buy quality clothes that will last for many years, it wins hands down as the better of the two.

286 shops:
British High St shops – All the main brands you would find on Oxford St including Primark and TKMaxx
‘The Village’ – 40  designer shops including Mulberry, Burberry, Gucci, D&G, Prada, The Kooples, Louis Vuitton.
Beauty: Sephora (The UK’s only branch)
Department stores: John Lewis
Supermarkets: Waitrose & M&S
Bookshops: WHSmith

If you’re with someone who hates shopping, there’s a good public library near the Wood Lane side of the centre, close to Shepherd’s Bush Market tube station.

For affordable homeware, there’s a new small branch of IKEA and a large TK Maxx branch in Hammersmith. It’s one stop on the tube from Shepherd’s Bush Market station. Alternatively,  take a bus to Hammersmith.

Westfield Stratford City

There’s a better choice of shops to suit the budget to mid-range pocket. If you’re on a tight budget then Westfield Stratford is better.

208 shops:
British High St chains – As above, all the usual suspects including Primark
Department stores: John Lewis
Supermarkets: Waitrose
Bookshops: Foyles

Food & Drink

Westfield London

Around 60 places to eat, so it’s easy to find something to suit your taste and budget. The Balcony food court area has 13 top-quality fast-food type places.

There are branches of EAT and Pret a Manger if you just want a sandwich. For sit-down meals, there’s a decent selection of mid-priced restaurants on the Southern Terrace and more family-friendly restaurants in The Loft.

Westfield Stratford City

There’s slightly more choice at Westfield Stratford with around 70 places to eat. The Fast Food Court on the ground floor is where you’ll find KFC, McDonalds, Spudulike, Subway and Harry Ramsdens (good fish & chips).

A healthier and more varied selection of fast food can be found on the first-floor World Food Court including branches of the wonderful Franco Manca pizzas, Comptoir Libanais & Pho. If you want a sit-down restaurant, the choices are similar to Westfield London.

Facilities

Westfield London

Free WiFi, left luggage office, 14 screen cinema, library and a gym and spa.

Westfield Stratford City

Free WiFi, left luggage office, 17 screen cinema, Aspers casino, All Star Lanes bowling alley.

Opening hours

Westfield London has longer opening hours

Westfield London

Monday-Saturday 10am-10pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm

Some shops have different opening hours. Bars and restaurants are open later.

Westfield Straford City

Monday-Friday 10am-9pm
Saturday 9am-9pm
Sunday 12am-6pm

Some shops have different opening hours. Bars and restaurants are open later.

Transport & Parking

Both are pretty easy to reach by tube from central London. Westfield London is closer to the centre.

In terms of parking fees, Westfield Stratford is cheaper than Westfield London.

Westfield London

Google map link

It’s 12 minutes by tube from Oxford Circus to Shepherd’s Bush. Westfield London is in zone 2.

Underground – Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line) or Wood Lane (Hammersmith & City Line)
Overground – Shepherd’s Bush
There are numerous buses stopping at the bus station right in front of the centre.

Parking is available. See car park fees.

Westfield Stratford City

Google map link

It’s 20 minutes by tube from Oxford Circus to Stratford. Westfield Stratford is in zone 2/3.

Underground – Stratford (Central Line)
Overground – Stratford
Docklands Light Railway – Stratford

Parking is available. See car park fees.

Useful Info

There are information screens dotted around both centres to help you find the shops you want, but they’re slow to use. If you have a smart phone, download the free app (available from the links below) to find out how to get from shop A to shop B. It’s also useful for finding information on sales, events and meal deals

Websites

Westfield London uk.westfield.com/london

Westfield Stratford uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity

If you visit Richmond Park, London’s largest Royal Park, make sure you visit one of its highlights – the Isabella Plantation. This wonderful 40-acre ornamental woodland garden has something of interest whatever time of the year you go, in fact, it’s worth a special trip on its own.

Started in 1831 by the Lord Sidmouth, the Deputy Ranger of Richmond Park planted beech, oak and horse chestnut trees and enclosed it to protect it from the deer. An ornamental garden was started in the late 1940’s and it opened to the public in 1953.

What to see

Evergreen azaleas – flowering in late April early May
Rhododendrons – over 50 different species and 120 hybrids at their best in April-May
Camellias – white, pink and red camellias, best from February- March
Acer Glade – stunning autumn colour
Heather Garden – heathers, gorse and broom provides year round colour
Thomson’s Pond – water lilies
Bog Garden – pools and streams with architectural plants and ornamental grasses

It’s also a good place to spot some wildlife with plenty of ducks to feed including handsome Mandarin Ducks (pictured). Resident birds include Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl.

How to get to there by public transport

The garden is in the south west section of the park and if you travel by car, the nearest place to park is the Broomfield car park.

Without your own transport, there are two ways to get there:

From Richmond

This is ideal if you plan to spend some time in Richmond. Take the district line to Richmond tube station or the train from Waterloo to Richmond. Take bus 65 from outside the train/tube station. Get off at Ham Gate Avenue. It’s 1.17-mile (1.89km) walk to the garden.

From Putney

For a shorter and easier walking route, take the district line to Putney Bridge tube station or the train from Waterloo to Putney. Take bus 85 and get off at the Warren Rd stop. There’s a signposted 0.82-mile (1.33km) walk from Ladderstile Gate.

Website

Last updated: 26 October 2017

London’s Portobello Market has long been on the list of ‘good things to do on a Saturday’, but if you prefer vintage clothes to antiques, then Friday is by far the best day to visit. You’ll avoid the crowds, and find a much larger choice of vintage and second-hand clothes.

The best area is the Ladbroke Grove end of Portobello Rd, from the Westway flyover to Golborne Rd. Ladbroke Grove rather than Notting Hill Gate is the closest tube station.

Walking from the station you first come to a huge white canopy, where you can find everything from 1920’s floaty dresses, 50’s–60’s shirt dresses, 80’s jumpsuits through to classic Barbour jackets, Burberry Macs and more quirky modern designer clothes. It’s the place to find a unique piece and quirky vintage shoes, boots, belts & bags.

Directly under the flyover, most stalls sell vintage costume jewellery from the 40’s to the 90’s. There’s the ubiquitous military jackets & uniform stall and a few stalls selling records, new books and the odd collectable.

Continue north along Portobello Rd, and you’ll find a little gem — the long-established cashmere stall sells a colourful range of new and lightly worn jumpers and cardigans from £30. Portobello is probably one of the best places in London to buy cashmere sweaters.

North of Raddington Rd, the clothes are more ‘second-hand’ than vintage but it’s where you’re likely to find a bargain. Prices are cheaper than most central London charity shops.

Head north and you reach Golborne Rd, a lively street overlooked by Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower. On Fridays, antique & junk dealers line the south side of the street. The Moroccan fish and falafel food stalls on the north side are good spots for lunch.

Open: Fridays 8am–4.30pm
Transport
Tube: Ladbroke Grove
Buses: 7, 12, 23, 27, 28, 31, 52, 70 & 328 stop close to Ladbroke Grove tube station.

If you want to walk the length of Portobello Rd, get off at Notting Hill Gate tube. The Westway flyover is a 15–20 minute walk.