Westfield London Shopping Centre Spirits
Westfield London is a shopping centre in White City, London, United Kingdom, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group at a cost of £1.6bn, on a site bounded by the West Cross Route (A3220), the Westway (A40) and Wood Lane (A219). It opened on 30 October 2008 and became the largest covered shopping development in the capital, dethroning the Whitgift Centre in Croydon.
Westfield London Verified account @westfieldlondon Westfield London is Europe's largest shopping centre. With over 300 stores, 700 fashion brands, over 70 places to eat and a 20-screen cinema all under one roof.
The site is part of the White City district, where several other large scale development projects are under way or in the planning stages. The development is on a large brownfield site, part of which was once the location of the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition; the initial site clearance demolished the set of halls still remaining from the exhibition (their cheap-to-build, white-painted blank facades are said to be the origin of the name “White City”). Much of the site was in use as a railway depot excavated to a lower level and built over. The centre is noted for its size: it has a retail floor area of 150,000 m² (1.615m ft²), the equivalent of about 30 football pitches.
At the time of its opening it was reported to be the second largest commercial centre in the UK (after MetroCentre near Newcastle). The nearest London Underground stations are Wood Lane, White City, Shepherd’s Bush and Shepherd’s Bush Market. The nearest rail station is Shepherd’s Bush, served by suburban London Overground services and by longer distance Southern services between Milton Keynes Central and South Croydon.
Two large Westfield shopping centres (or ‘malls’ if you prefer the American term) are within easy reach of central London. One in west London (Westfield London) and another in east London (Westfield Stratford). Shopping centres might not be to everyone’s taste, but they’re convenient if you want to do all your shopping under one roof. And a major benefit at both Westfield malls is there are decent places to eat. If you’re in London for a short trip, you probably won’t have the time or the inclination to visit both, so here’s a quick summary of what to expect at both centres. Westfield London – quick overview The first Westfield, in the Shepherds Bush/White City area of west London, is now the largest shopping centre in Europe. It’s built on two levels, square shaped with a large inner atrium giving it a light and airy feel.
The walkways are wide, so it doesn’t seem crowded and there’s plenty of seating to rest your weary legs (whether you’ll find a seat at the weekend is another matter). It’s easy to get to from central London (12 minutes from Oxford Circus by tube). Westfield Stratford – quick overview Westfield Stratford is London’s opened in 2011. It’s located in Stratford next door to the Olympic Park in east London. Built on three levels in a crescent shape, it’s more compact and easy to walk around with escalators at each end. However, the walkways are narrower giving it a more crowded feel and there aren’t as many places to sit and rest if you’re not eating. Most seats are on the top floor.
It’s slightly further from central London (20 minutes from Oxford Circus by tube). Shops What do they have in common? At both centres women’s clothes and shoe shops are the most common type of shop including many non-British shops not normally found on the UK high street. Both Westfields have an Apple store. Westfield London There’s a good range of shops from mid-price to designer.
Westfield London is definitely the better choice if you’re looking for designer clothes. When the sales are on, if you want to buy quality clothes that will last for many years, it wins hands down as the better of the two.: British High St shops – All the main brands you would find on Oxford St including a new branch of Primark ‘The Village’ – 40 designer shops including Mulberry, Burberry, Gucci, D&G, Prada, The Kooples, Louis Vuitton. Department stores: Debenhams & House of Fraser, John Lewis Supermarkets: Waitrose & M&S Bookshops: WHSmith If you’re with someone who hates shopping, there’s a good public outside near Debenhams.
There’s a large branch in Hammersmith (good for homeware), one stop on the tube from Shepherd’s Bush Market station. Or take bus from the Westfield bus station to Hammersmith. Westfield Stratford City There’s a better choice of shops to suit the budget to mid-range pocket. If you’re on a tight budget then Westfield Stratford is better.: British High St chains – As above, all the usual suspects including Primark Department stores: John Lewis Supermarkets: Waitrose Bookshops: Foyles. Food & Drink Westfield London Around, so it’s easy to find something to suit your taste and budget.
The Balcony food court area has 13 top-quality fast-food type places. There are branches of EAT and Pret a Manger if you just want a sandwich. For sit-down meals, there’s a decent selection of mid-priced restaurants on the Southern Terrace and more family-friendly restaurants in The Loft. Westfield Stratford City There’s slightly more choice at Westfield Stratford with around. The on the ground floor is where you’ll find KFC, McDonalds, Spudulike, Subway and Harry Ramsdens (good fish & chips). A healthier and more varied selection of fast food can be found on the first-floor including branches of the wonderful Franco Manca pizzas, Comptoir Libanais & Pho. If you want a sit-down restaurant, the choices are similar to Westfield London.
Facilities Westfield London Free WiFi, left luggage office, 14 screen cinema, library and a gym and spa. Westfield Stratford City Free WiFi, left luggage office, 17 screen cinema, Aspers casino, All Star Lanes bowling alley. Opening hours Westfield London has longer opening hours Westfield London Monday-Saturday 10am-10pm Sunday 12pm-6pm Some shops have. Bars and restaurants are open later. Westfield Straford City Monday-Friday 10am-9pm Saturday 9am-9pm Sunday 12am-6pm Some shops have. Bars and restaurants are open later.
Transport & Parking Both are pretty easy to reach by tube from central London. Westfield London is closer to the centre. In terms of parking fees, Westfield Stratford is cheaper than Westfield London. Westfield London It’s 12 minutes by tube from Oxford Circus to Shepherd’s Bush. Westfield London is in zone 2. Underground – Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line) or Wood Lane (Hammersmith & City Line) Overground – Shepherd’s Bush There are numerous buses stopping at the bus station right in front of the centre.
Westfield London Shopping Centre
Parking is available. See Westfield Stratford City It’s 20 minutes by tube from Oxford Circus to Stratford. Westfield Stratford is in zone 2/3. Underground – Stratford (Central Line) Overground – Stratford Docklands Light Railway – Stratford Parking is available.
Westfield Shopping Center
Useful Info There are information screens dotted around both centres to help you find the shops you want, but they’re slow to use. If you have a smart phone, download the free app (available from the links below) to find out how to get from shop A to shop B. It’s also useful for finding information on sales, events and meal deals.