Travelling to Westfield - Help!

[Tootall88]

Hi all - hope you're doing well. Really hoping someone might have some advice for me.

My boyfriend has had a crappy week so I am surprising him tomorrow with a trip to the Adults Only night at Kidzania in Westfield Shepherd's Bush. He's wanted to go for ages and always says how fun it looks, so I know he'll love it.

I'm getting very anxious though about the best and safest way to get there and back. We live in Staines, not far from Heathrow. For total ease I'd prefer to get the train and that way we can both have a drink as well, but I've got scared by some people I've spoken to who've said they wouldn't do that because the area isn't safe late at night (the event finishes at 11pm) - someone I spoke to lives not far from there and winced when I said about getting the train back and said that gangs hang around the stations and that we'd be targets being gay as well. I haven't been there at night so I've got no idea how true any of this is, but you do hear of horror stories on the news and I really don't want anything horrible to happen (who would).

I have a car and I could drive us, but my worry with that is the earliest we could leave would be 4.30pm and the thing starts at 7pm, and I have literally no clue how busy the roads would be (I'd be going M25, M4, A4 probably) at that time on a Friday. I imagine they'd be pretty hectic, and that in itself could be stress-inducing and not the best start to a fun evening. I don't think either of us would enjoy sitting in traffic for several hours.

So I'm in a real state about it - I just want it to be a fun night for him, honestly he's such a lovely chap but he's just had a real tough week this week, I'd love to give him something to smile about and I know he'll love it. I'm just getting myself in a bit of a state about the best way to get there and back (I also suffer with anxiety so can get easily worked up about these things!)

Any advice or what you would do in my situation is very welcomed! Thank you!

I think that if you live in Staines Shepherds Bush will not be rougher. Sorry!

I've been to the area several times in the evening (after gigs) & it is fine. I'm a late 50s woman. Lots of people round here park their cars at Westfield when they are going into London & come back at all sorts of times.
So I would say go on the train & enjoy it.

There's no issue with Westfield in Shepherds Bush, getting the train you barely leave the shopping centre.
Hop on the central line tube to Ealing Broadway and then change to the train there.

Inclined to agree with this, I found staines town centre a bit iffy for want of a better word!

Op you will be fine, overground to Clapham and then overground shepherds bush which takes you out directly opposite one of the entrances. There are plenty of security at Westfield too so they discourage people hanging around.

I go to Westfield often and park there for central london. Never ever had an issue. We're a same sex couple and no one has ever bothered us.

Get the train you’ll be absolutely fine! Enjoy!

I'd happily get the tube or train from Shepherds Bush at gone 11pm by myself! You'll be fine.

Shepherd’s Bush Westfield is safe and has lots of security. Maybe people are confusing it with the east London one where there has been a bit of aggro over the years?

Westfield is fine! You don't wander around Shepherds Bush, the tube is right at the shopping centre. Go, have a drink! Sounds fun ;-)

Get yourselves a Ben's cookie on the way in ;-) they'll be closed (as my DD discovered after a gig recently, much to her disgust) by the time you get out.

Shepherds Bush is absolutely fine. Just get the train. I've been there at 11pm on my own and felt fine about it. Even in the days before Westfield when White City was a bit rougher.

I used to live near there, it’s absolutely fine! The train station is about 20 yards from the shopping centre, well lit and safe.

I live in Shepherds Bush and never feel unsafe at night! There’s always loads of people milling about, even very late on. The station is just opposite the entrance to Westfield and the whole area is very well lit.

I spent years around Westfield and never had issues.

Thank you so much everyone - really appreciate your responses and reassurances, it was just what my worry-addled brain needed to hear! We will go on the train and have a great time I'm sure. Thank you!