There are so many interesting things about the area we live in, and we hope you enjoy finding out more about them. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so we'll be adding to the page whenever we find anything thought-provoking or entertaining.
History
Ealing hit the big-time in a number of Victorian sports. Ealing Lawn Tennis Club describes its illustrious past and the famous names associated with the club, including domination of Wimbledon. Ealing Rugby Club played its first game on Ealing Common in 1869, before even the RFU was formed.
Outside of West London, Ealing is mainly known for the contribution of Ealing Studios to the history of film. We were looking for information on the Studios, when we happened upon this nice site, Wicked Lady . The link takes you to a page all about Ealing Studios, but there's also lots about classic British films and film stars, written by enthusiasts. Another good site is the Britmovie site about the British film industry. The Ealing Film Festival is a new venture for 2020 aimed at supporting creativity and encouraging filmmakers from the area, London, UK and far beyond.
Middlesex Family History Society - for those with curiosity about their own family's past
Brentford and Chiswick History Society - arranges events (and we do have to admit that Brentford actually has a very interesting and much more eventful history than Ealing!)
Ealing Fields Residents' Association has published an attractive and reasonably priced history of the area around Little Ealing, worth looking out for in shops and libraries.
Hanwell has a site which ranges from the historical to the current.
Fascinating story about Ho Chi Minh's connection to West Ealing from the Vietnam News Agency.
Not Ealing exactly, but so fascinating we had to mention it. You could spend hours wandering around this site - The Story of London . As they say, "Discover the great, the strange, the seedy, the inspired, the criminal and the downright ordinary past of one of the World's Greatest Cities". They're also interested in hearing from potential contributors, so let's hear it from Ealing!
If you would like to share your recommendations of good books about the history of the area, we'd be happy to publish them.
Interesting Locations
The Brentham estate, a collection of 560 houses, was built through the inspiration of various 20th century movements, including the Labour, Co-operative, and Arts and Crafts movements. The Brentham Heritage Society explains more and gives details of the book they have published on the subject.
Gunnersbury Park Museum
Set in one of West London's biggest parks, Gunnersbury Park Museum is a beautiful early nineteenth century mansion, which was once the home of the rothschild family. It is now the community museum for the London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow. Here you will find changing exhibitions, family activities and school workshops, bringing history to life. Call 020 8992 1612.
Car park: entrance off Pope's Lane, Acton
You have to read this wonderful page on BBC London's website. As Robin says, "A very thoughtful description of one of Ealing's lesser-appreciated attractions", and we couldn't have put it better ourselves.
Ealing-web have some interesting photos and maps of Old Ealing taken from the Borough archive.
Caring for our Environment
Ealing Civic Society is concerned with what Ealing looks like and what it is like to live in.
West London Friends of the Earth has a web site covering issues relating to the whole of the West London area.
Freecycle - an Ealing/Acton based group which provides an easy way to give something you don't need to someone else who wants it. Before you recycle, try freecycling.
Regular Events
London Open House
Every year in September, owners of houses and buildings of architectural or historical interest open up their properties for one week-end to the general public. It is a fascinating opportunity to see inside some of those buildings which may have intrigued you from the outside, or to learn more about buildings you didn't even know were of interest in the first place. Details of dates are available here, and they have cunningly hidden the list of houses open in each area in the most obscure place. On the site, click "Open House London", then from the "Buildings Information" section, there's an online search by borough. Sadly, a simpler way of getting details of buildings/houses, opening hours and a brief description of what makes that particular place special, is to get down to your local library in late August for a free guide.
The Friends of Blondin Park, where there is a very small nature reserve, have events during the year, though you'll have to look out for them on posters and leaflets. The area around Little Ealing and Blondin Park used to be orchards (see Bramley, Wellington and Julien Roads for apple connections), and there is an annual Apple celebration day.
Every Christmas, the Pitshanger Community Assocation and Pitshanger traders organise "Light Up the Lane", a fun evening when the christmas lights are switched on. In June, they organise the Party in the Park, another popular event.
In recent years, the Ealing Summer Festival, focussed mainly on a strong programme free Jazz concerts in Walpole and a comedy festival.