High Road House
London, United Kingdom[view map]
Local restaurants
Combine a stroll along the Thames with lunch or dinner at Pissaro, close to Chiswick Pier (+44 (0)20 8994 3111) – ask for a river view and a plate of oysters. Other good evening-meal venues in Chiswick include Parisian‑style bistro Le Vacherin (+44 (0)20 8742 2121), seafood‑fan magnet FishWorks (+44 (0)20 8994 0086) and luxe French restaurant La Trompette (+44 (0)20 8747 1836). In the Barley Mow Centre, Sam’s (+44 (0)20 8987 0555) is an excellent but unpretentious modern brasserie with imaginative brunch and dinner menus, and a smart bar: pop in for a glass of wine and nibbles, or linger over a delicious meal. Spice things up over in W6 with a tastebud‑tantalising thali at Indian Zing on King Street (+44 (0)20 8748 8989).
Local cafes
For coffee or a quick lunch, Shackology on Chiswick High Road (+44 (0)20 8995 2607) is spacious and relaxed, with a pared‑down Greenwich Village vibe; we love the rotisserie chicken.
Worth getting out of bed for
Stroll up Chiswick High Road and pick up a ready‑to‑go picnic box for two from big‑hitting Italian deli and diner Carluccio’s (+44 (0)20 8995 9387). Lazybones can potter across to Turnham Green, just opposite; alternatively, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (www.kew.org) is only two stops away on the District Line (or a short cab ride). Richmond-upon-Thames, with its riverside bars, restaurants and shopping, is also only a couple of Tube stops away. Central London is easily accessible by public transport: see our London destination guide for more information.
Diary
Late March Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (www.theboatrace.org). Late May Chelsea Flower Show (www.rhs.org.uk). Late June Wimbledon tennis championships (www.wimbledon.org). July–September The BBC Proms concerts (www.bbc.co.uk/proms). September Open House Weekend sees 600 buildings, old and new, open to the public, free of charge (www.londonopenhouse.org).