This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Shhh. We’ll say it quietly but we think Brook Green is one of London’s hidden gems, a West London neighbourhood that actually feels like a rural village – and yet Brook Green is only minutes away from the hustle and hubris of nearby Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush and Kensington High Street.
As previous residents of Brook Green (we lived in Lena Gardens for several years), we loved living here (if only we could afford to buy there!) – West is best!
From bars and parkside pubs to vintage tea-rooms and fine food markets, here is our guide to the top things to do in Brook Green West London:
Table of Contents
1. Brook Green (the actual green)
The eponymous Brook Green in West London is very much the heart of the local area.
A perfect spot for picnicking, dog walking and sports activities, Brook Green park has grown over the years to include children’s playgrounds, updated tennis courts plus Bear’s Ice Cream (more on this ‘n’-ice addition later).
A gorgeous gem of a green spot with benches all around the main park, Brook Green is a nice place to relax in escape the hustle and bustle of nearby Hammersmith or Shepherd’s Bush.
If it is a sunny day in Brook Green, you could always do takeaway fish and chips from What The Fish, a fish and chip shop overlooking the Green.
You might like – the best free things to do in London >
2. The Queen’s Head Pub, Brook Green
A fine Fullers Brewery pub located right on the park and popular with the locals, the Queen’s Head on Brook Green used to be our go to place for Sunday roasts when we lived in Lena Gardens.
Nothing beats a pint of Fuller’s Pioneer sitting in the round booth at the front with views of the park and the pub itself.
Always incredibly popular particularly with families, the Queen’s Head has a hidden gem of a secret beer garden out back which is divine in summer months.
It is hard to believe you are busy west London. Along with the Eagle on Askew Road, we’d say the Queen’s Head has the finest beer garden in the area (and definitely the best beer garden in the neighbourhood).
The bar interior itself at the Queen’s Head Brook Green is really welcoming with several snugs and small rooms to sit in dotted throughout. There are often various London craft beers on tap like Beavertown Brewery from Tottenham, Greenwich Mean Time and Camden Hells Brewery. Recommended.
We’d rate Fuller’s Brewery as one of the best London brewery tours >
Address: 13 Brook Green, London W6 7BL
You might like – Thames Lunch Cruise with 2-Course Meal >
3. Brook Green Hotel
We lived in Brook Green for several years and were happy that our local pub was the Brook Green Hotel- surely this one of the best looking and most underrated pubs in west London?
The Brook Green Hotel bar certainly looks the part, with shiny pumps, polished mirrors and a large spirits and craft beer selection.
The Brook Green Hotel pub also has a nice array of comfy leather sofas (easy to slump in with a pint – bliss!), a sumptuous dining area plus a little outdoor beer garden out back complete with blankets for the winter months.
The board games at Brook Green Hotel are a nice touch too and there are often quizzes and events. Brook Green Hotel is a great place to stay too if you are in the area for a gig at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo or other London events.
Check out the room rates at Brook Green Hotel >
Address: 170 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7PB
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Best Pubs and Bars in Hammersmith, London
4. Bear’s Ice Cream
Did you know ‘Bears’ have been spotted on Brook Green?
Goldhawk Road’s famous Bear’s Ice Cream shop recently took over the Brook Green pavilion food and drink kiosk just by Brook Green Tennis Courts. Famed for their homemade soft-serve ice-cream, Bear’s is a popular spot to grab some desserts on the go and enjoy them in the park or at play.
There is a small alfresco seating area outside overlooking the courts and nearby children’s playground.
We’d recommend Bear’s Glacier ice-cream combo, where you can pick three ice-cream flavours which they then smash up into your very own ice-cream concoction (a bit like Cold Stone Creamery).
Coffee, sweet treats and savoury snacks like croissants and toasties are also available at Bear’s Ice Cream Brook Green Pavilion – Bears Ice Cream is open daily from 8.30am to 5:30pm as at July 2023.
New for 2023, did you know Bears Ice Cream are soon to open a new ice-cream shop in Whitstable?
Address: Bears Ice Cream Company, The Pavilion, London W6 7BL
You might like – the most Instagrammable places in London >
5. Brook Green shops
The main shopping area in Brook Green is along Shepherd’s Bush Road – here you’ll find a nice mix of food and drink shops, cafes plus independent stores.
Shops and facilities in Brook Green include picture framing at Picture, flowers and floral arrangements at Green Florist (always a delightful display outside), Brook Green Wholefoods (not THAT Wholefoods) a British Red Cross charity shop plus furniture and fittings from the Furniture Shop.
A big behemoth of a Tescos can also be found behind the Brook Green Hotel.
London Travel Planning Facebook 2024 Group by CK Travels
Need help with your London travel itinerary or have any questions about your upcoming trip? Join our brand new online community! Click here to join our London Travel Planning and Tips Facebook group
6. Gail’s Bakery
Gail’s Bakery is a popular bakery chain in and around London, famous for their freshly baked breads (over 30 types), tasty croissants, sweet treats and coffee.
GAIL’s Bakery is a nice, airy space with a few outdoor tables overlooking Shepherd’s Bush road, a great place to people watch. GAIL’s Bakery is open daily from 6.45am to 6.30pm as at February 2023.
Address: GAIL’s Bakery, 102-104 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7PD
You might like – the best street food markets and food courts in London >
7. Betty Blythe Vintage Tea Rooms
Looking for a unique afternoon tea experience in West London? If so, we have some tea-riffic news for you – Betty Blythe’s Vintage tea rooms is just a short walk from Brook Green park.
Step back into the 1920s and make time for tea – Betty’s Blythes has a cute cake counter and is a good spot for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. The awesome art deco interiors are wonderful as are the sweet treats at Betty Blythe’s vintage tea room.
Address: Betty Blythe Vintage Tea Rooms,73 Blythe Road, West London W14 0HP
You might like – the best things to do in Chiswick, West London >
8. Head to Hammersmith
OK, obviously we aren’t saying we want to leave Brook Green but all of Hammersmith’s bars, restaurants and shops are just a short stroll away along Shepherd’s Bush Road.
You’ll also likely be arriving via Hammersmith if you are getting the Tube, as Hammersmith station is the nearest London Underground station (and bus station) to Brook Green in West London.
Looking for a good Hammersmith pub along the walk from Hammersmith to Brook Green – the best spot on the way is the Duke of Hammersmith (formerly the Laurie Arms).
Here, the craft beer range is ‘bar’ one and the interiors are pretty cool – beer and burger specials are also popular at the Duke of Hammersmith.
Read our guide to the best things to do in Hammersmith or enjoy Hammersmith’s riverside pubs.
9. Brook Green Restaurants
The two most popular sit-down restaurants closest to Brook Green are Los Molinos Tapas Restaurant and Le Petit Citron French Bistro.
Los Molinos Tapas has been serving sublime Spanish fare since the early 1990s and is one of the most well known neighbourhood restaurants. From calamari to croquetas, sangria to paella, this family run Spanish restaurant is one of the highest rated in West London. Los Molinos Tapas is open daily except Sundays.
A little further up Shepherd’s Bush Road brings you to Le Petit Citron French restaurant, a little piece of Provence in Brook Green. Signature dishes include Coquilles St Jacques and Onglet steak frites and Le Petit Citron also offer set menu specials at lunchtimes.
Addresses
Le Petit Citron, 98-100 Shepherds Bush Road
Los Molinos Tapas, 127 Shepherds Bush Road
10. Brook Green Market
Every Saturday between 9am and 3pm, Brook Green Market pops up at St. Mary’s Catholic Church School.
From fresh produce like fruit and veg to oysters and champagne or wine, there is plenty to suit all tastes and budget at Brook Green Market in West London.
Read our guide to London’s best Saturday markets or the best farmer’s markets in London.
Address: St Mary’s Catholic Church School, 40 Masbro Road, West London, W14 0LT
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Guide to London’s best Saturday markets >
11. Stroll to Shepherd’s Bush
The beauty of Brook Green is that is feels like a small village in the heart of London – however if you are also looking for say a shopping centre or nearby cinema, Shepherd’s Bush (or She Bu, as most locals DON’T call it) is just a short walk away from Brook Green.
Just follow Shepherd’s Bush Road (the clue is in the name) north from Brook Green, bringing you out at Shepherd’s Bush Green.
Check out our guide to Shepherd’s Bush or the best pubs in Shepherd’s Bush.
12. Grab a cocktail at Smith’s Cocktail Bar
A basement cocktail bar located below Brook Green Hotel, Smith’s Cocktail Bar has you covered for gin and tonics, craft beer plus new cocktail concoctions.
Plush velvet seats and bare brick walls (possibly caused by too many Harvey ‘wallbangers’?) await you at this subterranean house of spirits.
Smith’s Cocktail Bar is open Thursdays to Saturdays 5pm to midnight as at February 2023.
Address: Smith’s Cocktail Bar, 170 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7PB
You might like – Guide to all of the bars along the Bermondsey Beer Mile or the Blackhorse Beer Mile
13. Grab a full English fry-up
Brook Green High Street has a number of old school cafes and diners, perfect for a quick lunch or more importantly, a good old traditional fry-up (or English cooked breakfast).
The best place to grab a breakfast bite or cheap lunch is currently Brook Brown Cafe Bistro. Alas all our old favourite cafes like Adam’s Cafe, and even Costa Coffee at a push – have all now closed down.
You might like – Guide to traditional English foods >
14. Time for Tennis
A good place for ‘service’, Brook Green Park has several tennis courts – 2 smaller courts and three flood-lit courts.
Always popular (especially during Wimbledon), tennis coaching courses for all ages are available at Brook Green Tennis – hopefully they might produce West London’s own Andy Murray one day.
Brook Green tennis courts are available to play / hire 7am to 9pm seven days a week.
You might like – the best London sports and stadium tours >
15. Fish and Chips from What The Fish
Brook Green is blessed with many things including a nice fish and chip shop, What The Fish (formerly Kerbisher and Malt) which has a nice bright interior with white tiled walls plus a live webcam in the dining area where you can see your fish being cooked fresh in the kitchen.
Dine in at What The Fish (WTF) for lunch-time specials including a fish (cod) and chip special for £8 (12pm to 4pm Monday to Friday) or grab them to go and enjoy them alfresco on Brook Green itself next door.
Address: 164 Shepherds Bush Road,London W6 7PB
You might like – things to do in Notting Hill, London >
Getting to Brook Green
The nearest London Underground Station to Brook Green is in nearby Hammersmith Station.
Alternatively, you can walk from Goldhawk Road Station, Shepherd’s Bush station or Olympia London Overground station.
Staying in Brook Green, West London (near Hammersmith)
There are dozens of cheap hotels dotted along nearby Shepherd’s Bush Road – most of these are budget to mid range brands like OYO hotels and Comfortel – all seemingly very popular with large school groups and tradies.
Probably your best bet in terms of staying in the centre of Brook Green in London is the Brook Green Hotel.
If you fancy a little luxury, two new hotels – The Dorsett Shepherd’s Bush and the Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush are beautiful boutique hotels (and both very close to Westfield White City too).
Did you enjoy our blog post? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.
You can follow CK Travels on:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
No Comments