Ealing, West London

Ealing, historically a rural village in the county of Middlesex, is a large area in west London, 7.7 miles west of Charing Cross. Ealing expanded in the 1800s and it was in the 1850s it began to be known as "Queen of the Suburbs".

With the growth of London in the 20th century, Ealing significantly expanded and increased in population, forming part of Greater London in 1965.

Today Ealing is a commercial and retail centre offering great shopping facilities and entertainment venues.

Ealing hosts several annual festivals, all beginning with the Jazz Festival in 1985 and held in Walpole Park. Events in Ealing include the Beer Festival, the Blues Festival, the Comedy Festival, Global Festival, Jazz Festival and Opera in the Park. Ealing is home to Ealing Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery of the English Benedictine Congregation.