Exploring London - Is Chiswick a good location as a home base?

Behind Victoria Station is a much better option... I'm of the belief that being closer in is worth it... even for saving 10-20 minutes of transport time. And considering the tube outages and upgrades, I like having the option to just walk instead.

I used to live in Chiswick- on a barge on the River; idyllic - but inconvenient for seeing the sights. Choose an area where you can walk anywhere and close to transport- Victoria fits that, although to me, not my favorite area- a bit grubby in places

For me, it would have to be a heck of deal to stay out there.....an hour, minimum, of listening to the clikety-thunk would rob too much out of looking around time. Plus, you have no sense of really being in London since the stuff you came to see now shows up a bit later in the day.

Hi Helen, it would be a good base if you want out of central London. It's a 25 minute ride from Waterloo Station and the fare for a return (roundtrip) ticket is £6.20. You can also use the tube...the District Line goes to Chiswick Park tube station, which will be a 20 minute ride. So you should find out which station, the train or tube station is the closest to where you will be staying. I know that there are a lot of actors that live in Chiswick.

You can go to Chiswick on the tube, still in zone 2 if you get off at Turnham Green. I have gone there shopping on the high st and visiting Colin Firths Eco Age shop (love that guy!)There are buses going up the high st towards Hounslow. It is about a 20 something minute ride out of central London, but its not too far. Do you really need to be in central London the entire trip anyhow ? :)

^Yes. Especially with the Tube strikes, and all the times the lines close for maintenance. Especially for someone on a shorter visit, with less time to waste.

Yes: if you are only on a short visit, the convenience of being in or close to the west end is really worth it. As I said in an earlier post- i lived in Chiswick for a while which i enjoyed- but not worth the extra time and inconvenience for a short stay. There is always the concern if you go to theatre or late dinner of not missing the last (crowded) tube back to Chiswick- been there done that

Tube strikes are very rare. The RMT union rumbles frequently, but actual strikes are rare. - ^ - The portions of the tube being worked on the most at the moment are the old bits of the Jubilee Line (not usually the Jubilee Line Extension), from Waterloo north, the upper half of the Circle Line (and its mates the Hammersmith and City, and the Metropolitan Line), and bits of outer suburban stuff here and there. - This weekend, of course as it is a Bank Holiday, all bets are off.

Colin Firth has a shop?? If there is a chance for a Mr. Darcy, ahem, Colin Firth sighting, I would stake out that shop!!

I'm going to agree with the others and say the Chiswick would not be my first choice. While I usually stay in the South Kensington/Earls Court area, this is about as far out of central London I want to get.(I usually suggest visitors to London stay within Zone 1 of the tube.) If I had the two choices you offer, I'd take Victoria Station.

My last stay in London, I stayed in both Chiswick and in the area near Victoria Station. Victoria Station is the better choice. The room rate may be better, away from the sights - but that's why it is less. Victoria is much better for walking to many sights and has better access to traveler's needs. In many cases you can walk to places in the same time you would use "commuting" to a Tube station near where you want to go.

We have stayed in the Victoria area many, many times. It makes a great base. Easy access to the tube, trains, and good walks. Lots of good resturants and grocery stores to stock up on things if you like to snack or want to do some of your own meals.