Living in White City, Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith: a postgrad’s area guide

Moving to a new part of London can feel like a lot. Where do you shop? How do you get to campus? Where do you go when your brain needs a break from reading? Seriously, nobody warns you about all this when you accept your offer.

So here’s the real picture of life in White City, Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith, with Notting Hill just down the line. Four very different areas, all close to GradPad’s Wood Lane Studios. One has a research campus, one has a market with serious character, one has the Thames, and one has Portobello Road. Not bad for one patch of west London.

WHERE WOOD LANE STUDIOS FITS IN

Wood Lane Studios is in White City, in zone 2. Sounds technical, right? It isn’t. London’s transport fares are split into zones, with zone 1 in the centre. Zone 2 is the next ring out, so you’re close to the middle of the city.

Two stations are right by the building. White City is on the Central line. Wood Lane is on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. (A “line” is just one coloured route on the tube map.)

Here’s how far everything is from Wood Lane Studios:

• White City: you’re already there.
• Shepherd’s Bush: 1 stop on the Central line, or you can walk.
• Hammersmith: 3 stops on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line.
• Notting Hill: 3 stops on the Central line to Notting Hill Gate, or 2 stops to Ladbroke Grove.

Searching for student accommodation in Shepherd’s Bush, or student accommodation near Hammersmith? Wood Lane Studios keeps both within easy reach. It’s postgraduate-only, so your neighbours understand what a deadline feels like. Bills are included too, and I’ll explain exactly what that means further down, because it’s the part that saves you the most hassle.

PRO TIP: Know which station you’ll use before you pack. White City and Wood Lane are on different lines, and they get you to different places.

WHITE CITY: CAMPUS, TV HISTORY AND A BIG SHOPPING CENTRE

Think White City is just “that place near the BBC”? Fair, but there’s a lot more going on.

The area got its name in 1908, the same year London hosted the Olympic Games at the new White City stadium. Later, it became best known as the home of the BBC. Today, much of it has been redeveloped. Imperial College London has built its White City campus here, focused on research and innovation, and it sits right next to Wood Lane Studios. If your studies are there, your commute is basically a short walk.

The BBC’s old Television Centre has been turned into homes, offices, restaurants and TV studios. You’ll also find Soho House’s White City House, which has a rooftop pool and an Electric Cinema. The BBC and ITV both still have offices nearby, so this really is a bold bit of London history.

Shopping: Westfield London is a short walk away. When it opened in 2008, it was the largest covered shopping centre in London. It now has more than 360 shops, plus restaurants and a cinema. Is it brilliant for everyday essentials? Yes. Is it also dangerous for a student budget? Also yes.

PRO TIP: Go in with a list and a time limit. Save the cinema for the day you hand in an assignment.

SHEPHERD’S BUSH: MARKETS, MUSIC AND A LIVELY GREEN

Want somewhere with real character? Head south. Shepherd’s Bush is centred on Shepherd’s Bush Green, a triangle of grass surrounded by shops, cafes and pubs. The name goes back to when the area was a resting place for shepherds driving their flocks to Smithfield Market. Yes, really.

Shepherd’s Bush Market runs between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road, beside the railway viaduct (the raised track the trains run on). It’s open six days a week and has long been popular with London’s Caribbean community. Nearby Goldhawk Road is known for its fabric shops, which is handy if you’re a creative student with a project to finish.

Nights out: The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire is right on the Green. It opened as a music hall in 1903, served as the BBC Television Theatre from 1953 until 1994, and is now a live music venue. The Bush Theatre, close by, is known for staging new writing. Between them, you’ll never run out of ways to de-stress.

Getting there: Shepherd’s Bush has its own Central line station, plus a Hammersmith & City and Circle line station at Shepherd’s Bush Market. There’s also a London Overground station next to Westfield (the Overground is a train service that links areas across London).

PRO TIP: It’s only 1 stop from Wood Lane Studios, and you can walk. Save your tube trips for longer journeys.

HAMMERSMITH: THE RIVER, THEATRES AND A PROPER PARK

Need a proper break from your thesis? Hammersmith is where this part of London meets the Thames. Walk south from the town centre and you’ll reach the Thames Path, a walking route that follows the river west towards Chiswick. You’ll pass rowing clubs and historic riverside pubs. Think fresh air, water views and zero screens.

The Dove is one of the best-known pubs, and its terrace is a popular spot on Boat Race day (the annual rowing race on the Thames).

For a compact area, there’s plenty to do:

• Lyric Hammersmith: describes itself as west London’s largest theatre.
• Eventim Apollo: an Art Deco building that opened as a cinema in 1932. It now hosts big-name music and comedy.
• Riverside Studios: an independent cinema, performance spaces and a bar by the river.
• Lyric Square: a food market on Thursday and Friday lunchtimes.
• Ravenscourt Park: one of the borough’s largest parks, with tennis and basketball courts and a walled garden.

Getting there: Hammersmith is a major transport hub, with the Piccadilly, District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, plus a large bus station. From Wood Lane station, it’s 3 stops on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line.

PRO TIP: Plan your lunch break around the Lyric Square food market on a Thursday or Friday. It beats another sad desk sandwich.

NOTTING HILL: PORTOBELLO ROAD AND CARNIVAL

Notting Hill is just east of Shepherd’s Bush, so its best-known sights are a short trip from White City.

Portobello Road Market is the big draw. Saturday is the main day, when all five sections are open. You’ll find antiques, second-hand goods, clothing, household items and food. Friday is the second busiest day, and the market is closed on Sundays. The antiques stalls are at the southern end, near Notting Hill Gate. Vintage clothes and street food are further north.

Carnival: The Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets every year on the last August bank holiday weekend (a bank holiday is a public holiday, usually a Monday). If you arrive for a September course start, you’ll have missed it. Put it in your diary for the following summer, because it’s a unique way to experience London together.

To get there from Wood Lane Studios:

• Take the Central line 3 stops to Notting Hill Gate for the southern end of Portobello Road.
• Or take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line 2 stops to Ladbroke Grove for the northern end.

If you’ve been looking at student accommodation in Notting Hill, living in White City gets you there in minutes.

PRO TIP: Want vintage clothes and street food first? Get off at Ladbroke Grove and start at the northern end. Then wander south and finish near Notting Hill Gate, where the antiques stalls are.

EVERYDAY LIFE AS A POSTGRAD HERE

Let’s be blunt about what matters: cost, convenience and not wasting time. Most of what you need day to day is within walking distance of Wood Lane Studios. Westfield London covers shopping, food and a cinema. Shepherd’s Bush Green and Uxbridge Road have plenty of independent cafes, restaurants and shops.

Here’s what you get:

• Bills included means gas, electricity, water and internet are already part of your rent. No setting up separate accounts, and no splitting bills with anyone.
• A free on-site gym means you won’t need a separate membership.

Fewer bills means fewer surprises, and that makes budgeting a lot easier.

Getting around: White City and Wood Lane stations are both in zone 2. The Central line also runs all night on Fridays and Saturdays as part of the Night Tube, so a late evening in the West End doesn’t have to end with a night bus. For journeys north and south across west London, the Overground station next to Westfield is there when you need it.

PRO TIP: When you compare accommodation, always ask what the bills cover. A lower rent can look great until the gas, electricity, water and internet are added on top.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there postgraduate student accommodation near Hammersmith?

Yes. GradPad’s Wood Lane Studios is in White City, 3 stops from Hammersmith on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line. It’s postgraduate-only, and every studio has bills included.

Is Shepherd’s Bush a good area for students?

For many postgraduates, yes. It has a large shopping centre, a market that’s open six days a week, live music at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and good transport links. It’s all close to Imperial’s White City campus.

What zone is White City in?

Zone 2. White City station (Central line) and Wood Lane station (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines) are both in zone 2.

How far is Notting Hill from White City?

Notting Hill Gate is 3 stops from White City on the Central line. Ladbroke Grove is 2 stops from Wood Lane on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.

Is Wood Lane Studios near Imperial College London?

Yes. It’s right next to Imperial’s White City campus. For the South Kensington campus, take the Central line and change once at Notting Hill Gate.