A few days based in Chiswick. Any gems?

[AndCallMeNancy]

Hello… heading South to spend a few days in and around the capital with DD 10 and DS 5 in the summer hols. Got a mega cheap deal staying at Premier Inn Chiswick. My expectations of the hotel are pretty low but only really intend to sleep there. We will go into central London for some sights but wondering if anyone can share any Chiswick wisdom pls?! Eg nice places for breakfast, parks/playgrounds nearby, transport links to central London, general vibe??

Many thanks! 🙏

Chiswick high street is full of restaurants (lots of lunch deals)

the road down from Turnham Green station towards Chiswick high street has lots of charity shops with good /rare finds (area super expensive)

Gunnersbury park very close and gorgeous

i am west London , not far from there so well aware 😊

Kew Gardens isn't far.

if you are at the Premier Inn on Burlington Road you can get to the river in 5 mins and it’s a lovely walk both ways

Chiswick Park is also lovely

plenty of eateries on high street as well as streets off the high street eg Devonshire rd and Turnham Green terrace

a tip: if you are staying at the Premier Inn near Burlington Avenue, the nearby bus stop T bus 533 takes you to Hammersmith in 5 mins where you can get the tube to central.

Another vote for the walk along the Thames Path. There’s a lifeboat station by Chiswick Pier. Chiswick House and Gardens are a good place for a picnic.

Yes that’s the one. Thank you for the bus tip. So that would sound easier than walking to Chiswick station and going from there? And do we just tap on and off with a bank card on the bus, like the tube? Sorry for my ignorance, I’m up in Yorkshire in the sticks!

Aww I love Chiswick.
Petersham Gardens is worth a visit, you can have a nice walk from Richmond Park.

City Barge pub and all of strand on the green for the riverside experience.
Kew Green is nice for a walk too and the church is interesting if that is your thing.

Kew Gardens is exceptional.

Nice to walk along Chiswick Mall towards Hammersmith and a few pubs there - The Old Ship probably 15 mins, The Dove etc

I agree Kew Gardens worth a look (has a huge children’s playground etc) - but it’s expensive so make a day of it.

Richmond also nearby and you could have a nice (free!) day there walking around. Perhaps less engaging for children.

Pizza place in Chiswick called Napoli on the road which is affordable and v popular.

I agree to get the bus to Hammersmith station, and get on the tube from there.

Both DS and DD will be free on public transport and yes, you just tap in on a bus. Use the same card all day and it'll be capped.

This looks a great location! Are you driving or train / tube?

If you're into art, William Hogarth's house is in Chiswick :- https://hogarthshouse.org
You're also near the National Archives in Kew which has a few good exhibitions on at the moment:- https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

@AndCallMeNancywhat @MistyMountainTopsaid

Other people have suggested Kew Gardens and altjough it is quite expensive, they have this digital artwork at the moment :- https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/of-the-oak
It's one of the best things I've seen there - really quite moving and magical -kids seem to love it too.

We will be getting the train and tube. Glad I’ve not picked a complete dud!

Great, thank you ☺️

It's not 6d any more then?!

Blimey - you're even older than me. I remember when you put 2p in a slot in the wall to get in. Definitely a bit more than 6d now!

😂 I just remember passing the sign on the wall by the gate on Kew Road saying 6d entrance, back in the 80s - I assume it was a heritage sign or something!

You only have to tap in, not off on buses.

Napoli on the Road won Best Pizza in Europe this year. They really are good.

Chiswick House and Grounds is a great walk. The cedar tree has been nominated for Tree of the Year!

Chiswick has a lot going for it.

Nice paddling pool at dukes meadow and Ravenscourt Park but you need to book.

Fab, I’m very glad we’ve ended up there! Even if totally by chance 😆
Award-winning pizza sounds tremendous! 🍕

This is good to know. Don’t want to be showing myself up as a total bumpkin!

For Kew Gardens, you could buy Boundless membership (if eligible) for £40 for the year which gives free family entry to Kew and the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, which I personally think is better than Kew. You'd have to walk over Hammersmith Bridge though as it has been closed to vehicles for years. Others have covered the river, Gunnersbury park, Chiswick High Road etc.

Only thing I would point out is that if you get the bus to/from Hammersmith then you'll be charged an extra 1.75 each way than if you stay on the tube for 2 more stops and get off at Turnham Green as it is still in Zone 2. Any children under 11 (or who can pass as under 11!) are free on TfL services (but not National Rail trains) - just use the wheelchair/pushchair wide gets when touching out.

Just to say thanks to all who offered wisdom on this thread! We are just home from a lovely few days in Chiswick. What a great place! We went to Chiswick House and Gardens, which is lovely, kids loved the playground and woodland areas. We wandered the High St, got delicious gelatos each evening, and there are so many fab eateries and shops. We also had a day out to Hampton Court Palace which was seriously impressive! And the Premier Inn, despite overlooking a roundabout, was really decent and amazing value. So all in all a successful trip - thanks for all the tips 🙏 X