In west London, Shepherd's Bush is a busy district built around a large triangular green. It grew from a country common into a crowded inner suburb as the city spread west in the 19th century. The green at its centre, a wedge of open grass ringed by traffic, gives the area its name and its focus. For much of the 20th century the district was known for its markets, music halls and cinemas, drawing crowds from across the west of the city. The Shepherd's Bush Empire, a former variety theatre, is now a well-known concert hall that has hosted many leading bands. The small Bush Theatre, set in a former library, has a strong reputation for new writing and launching young playwrights. For decades the area was closely linked to the BBC, whose Television Centre stood nearby and has since been converted into homes, studios and a hotel. In 2008 the huge Westfield London shopping centre opened on the northern edge of the district, one of the largest malls in Europe. A long street market still runs near the green, selling food, fabric and household goods to a mixed and lively local population. Three Underground stations and good bus links make it one of the main gateways to west London. The district is one of the most diverse in London, with communities from across the world reflected in its shops and food. The Westfield centre, with its many shops, cinemas and restaurants, transformed the northern part of the area and drew shoppers from across the city. The former Television Centre, where many famous programmes were made, has been redeveloped into homes and a hotel, with studios still in use. Loftus Road, the home ground of the Queens Park Rangers football club, lies just to the north of the green. The Empire, a former music hall on the green, has hosted countless rock and pop concerts and is one of the best-known mid-sized venues in the city, drawing crowds on gig nights.

Type: Street

Address: London, United Kingdom