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There aren’t many pubs in Shepherds Bush like The Princess Victoria. A one time gin palace, this place was recently given a new lick of paint and lovingly restored to bring out the best in the old lady. Now its large horseshoe bar and ample seating space make for probably the best boozer on the Uxbridge Rd. Whether you’re after one of their many gins, a bottle from their considerable wine list or just one of their eight draft beers, their staff are always very friendly and knowledgeable. It should be mentioned that if it weren’t for there being so many other great choices, we would have included their excellent restaurant on our ‘where to eat’ list. The food here is phenomenal.

217 Uxbridge Rd, W12 9DH
princessvictoria.co.uk/

Right, plum on the corner of Sheperds Bush Green you’ll find the Defector’s Weld. This recently spruced up pub has all the hallmarks of a west London local without ever surrendering any of its ‘shinier’ charm. Large and airy, the majority of your time in here will be spent circling the long bar and island space. At the front it’s tall windows flood the bar with light, while at the back you’ll find some cosy corners to hunker down into for the evening. The food here is all good – burgers, pies, steaks and such. While the bar staff take pride in knowing their (pretty impressive) back bar too. Popular choice with the football crowd on home matchdays but rarely one for the louts.

170 Uxbridge Rd, W12 8AA
www.defectors-weld.co.uk/

Yes, we know there are a few Brewdog pubs around London now but frankly, we don’t think it makes them any less worthy of a mention. This one is on the slightly less popular (but no less frequentable) Goldhawk Rd. For any first-timers out there, Brewdog are a Scottish brewery who take great pleasure in crafting and selling independent ales of a unique nature. Their bars are an outlet for their beer and that of other discerning breweries they deem worthy. You’d describe the locations as stripped down, bare and almost industrial looking. Yet they’re also comfy, inviting and modern all the same. And this one’s no exception. Try the Tactical Nuclear Penguin. At 32% it was once the world’s strongest beer. But go easy, all the same.

15-19 Goldhawk Rd, W12 8QQ
www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/shepherds-bush

If you’re looking for a spot of brunch, this kiwi owned café can be found tucked away on Oaklands Grove in Shepherds Bush. Enjoy their famous chicken satay bagel, or treat yourself to a stack of fluffy gluten-free pancakes. If that’s not enough to get you in the door, then perhaps the offering of a morning mimosa or cheeky espresso martini will change your mind.

1C Oaklands Grove W12 0JD
www.instagram.com/proudmaryslondon/?hl=en

If you’ve never tried Persian food before, drop everything and get to Sufi as fast as your legs will carry you. Opened in 2007, this family run restaurant has been feeding the hungry hordes every since. Determined to share their family recipes with the good people of Shepherds Bush, these guys also wanted to ensure that their customers received the full authentic, Persian home cooking experience.They claim that the secret to their success is the experience of their auntie Shahin and her vast list of historic Iranian recipes. All we know is they’re doing something right and they should continue to do it.

70 Askew Road, W12 9BJ
sufirestaurant.com/

Also on the increasingly trendy Askew Rd, Adam’s is something of an enigma wrapped in a greasy spoon, wrapped in a Moroccan restaurant. That’s right, step into Adam’s Cafe in the daytime and you’ll be served a cup of builder’s tea with a Full English. No frills, just exactly what you’d expect from a regular cafe. Come back in the evening though and you’ll find yourself in an altogether different environment. Known to the locals as a particularly well kept secret, Adam’s serves Mediterranean and North African food to rival the very best. And the beauty of this little place is that it’s still incredibly cheap no matter what time of day you pop by.

77 Askew Road, W12 9AH
adamscafe.co.uk/

To outsiders the centre of Shepherds Bush is the large green at the bottom of the Uxbridge Rd. But the real heart of this particular part of west London lies just up the road. For a team that has spent a considerable amount of time in English football’s top flight, Loftus Rd is a surprisingly small venue. But what it lacks in size, it undoubtedly makes up for in atmosphere. Tickets to come and watch Queens Park Rangers are usually set at about £30 but because of the team’s popularity, you’re advised to book ahead. The crowd are almost always very friendly and although the quality of the football may vary, the quality of the experience never does.

S Africa Rd, W12 7PJ
www.qpr.co.uk

This one’s easy to find. Step out of Shepherds Bush Market tube station and cross the road and you’re there. At around 100 years old, Shepherds Bush Market is far from London’s oldest. But the way it’s embedded into its surroundings does still somehow suggest it’s always been here. Follow the line of the market alongside the railway arches and you’ll unearth all manner of fascinating bric a brac. Inside the arches there are larger stores selling carpets, furniture and suitcases. While the stalls themselves vary massively in their output.

Uxbridge Rd, W12 8LH
www.shepherdsbushmarket.co.uk

Stand right on the green and you’ll find yourself outside one of London’s finest music venues. Built in 1903 the Empire still retains a lot of its old music hall features. Including stalls and a sloping standing area at the front. It went on to spend 40 years serving the once nearby BBC as their primary theatre, but in 1991 this Grade II listed returned to being a proper music venue. Today it hosts bands and musical acts of varying sizes, with plenty of bands favouring its more intimate space to really put on a show. Check the website to see what’s coming up.

Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8TT
www.academymusicgroup.com/o2shepherdsbushempire/