10 Best Things to Do in Southall

Welcome to Southall, affectionately known as “Little India”. This vibrant, diverse corner of West London is where the pulse of South Asian culture plays out. Expect authentic sites, sounds and – most tempting of all – excellent Indian food you just won’t find elsewhere in the capital.

10 must-do activities to experience the best of Southall

Explore Southall Broadway

The Broadway attracts the lion’s share of visitors to Southall – and it’s easy to see why. As the main shopping street running through the heart of the neighbourhood, it’s lined with hundreds of independent shops selling traditional South Asian goods, from clothing and jewellery to spices and teas. Expect gorgeous sari fabrics, embroidered wall hangings, vintage Bollywood film posters, Indian oil lamps and fragrant loose-leaf chai. It's the perfect place to soak up the local atmosphere and find one-of-a-kind gifts.

Taste something new and delicious

Southall is a food lover’s paradise. Think Indian, Punjabi, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Pakistani, delicious. Whether you have a savoury or sweet tooth, head to Southall Broadway for the “chaat” stalls, which serve a range of tempting street food. If you haven’t tasted them before, you must try the jalebi – Indian snacks that are freshly made on the spot with swirls of sweet batter. Or, for some serious eating, we love Madhu’s restaurant for its excellent Punjabi-Kenyan curries washed down with cool, frothy lassi.

Visit the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara

Marvel at the largest Sikh temple – or “gurdwara” – outside of India. It’s worth seeing even just from the outside to admire the striking golden dome and white stone façade. Step inside the grand entrance and you’ll discover polished marble prayer halls, jewel coloured stained-glass windows, intricate wood carvings, and high ornamental arches. It’s a space that’s as serene as it is awe-inspiring. No wonder, then, that thousands of worshippers and non-Sikh visitors flock to the gurdwara every week.

Spend the day at Southall Market

In the early 19th century, you could buy a horse at Southall Market. And nowadays it’s home to an eclectic mix of stalls laid with bargainous goods, including South Asian clothing, pretty jewellery and intriguing house bits. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a pop-up performance from a Bhangra dancer or Bollywood-style singer.

Discover Southall Manor House

Step back in time at the remarkable 16th-century Southall manor house. It’s the oldest building in Southall – in fact, hardly any period houses of this kind remain in London. Despite its impressive age, the manor house has kept its original wood-beamed frontage and stone chimneys. And outside, the former grounds are now a public park, featuring yew trees that are centuries old and an ancient mulberry tree said to have been planted by Henry VIII himself.

Get some fresh air at Southall Park

This well-tended green space offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Love nature? Head to the conservation area of Southall Park with its pond, wildflower meadow and thicket of birch trees. Bringing your kids? There’s a great play area with climbing frames suitable for little ones and bigger ones. Feeling energetic? Try the outdoor gym, complete with interactive digital screens that give you a workout tailored to your personal fitness goals.

Admire the Wharncliffe Viaduct

Almost 200 years ago, this epic feat of Victorian engineering was created by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Wharncliffe Viaduct was originally built to carry Great Western trains in and out of London. And today, the towering arches form a striking backdrop to a sprawling country park below. It all makes a lovely setting for a scenic walk. Just follow the River Brent as it meanders through wild meadows, open grasslands and mature woodland. Oh – and keep an eye out for herons in the daytime and bats at sunset. 

Experience Three Bridges

Here’s another Brunellian wonder that’s definitely worth a visit. As one of the last projects he ever worked on, Brunel pulled off an amazing feat of engineering: designing a junction where a railway line passes under a canal and a road crosses over the top. This rare, three-layer transport sandwich is known as the three bridges and is certainly worth exploring. It’s yet another lasting example of Brunel’s mind-blowing genius.

Spot the bilingual signage

When you arrive at Southall Station on the Elizabeth Line, you’ll probably notice something different about the signage. Throughout the station, not only are signs written in English, they’re also written in the Punjabi Gurmukhi script. This is to recognise Southall’s large Punjabi population. And it’s just one of many reminders in Southall of the area’s diverse community and cultural roots.

Celebrate Diwali

Southall really comes to life during Diwali – the Hindu, Sikh and Jain Festival of Light. Every autumn, locals and visitors gather together for firework displays, live music, Bhangra dancing and delicious festival snacks. And after all the excitement, you can wind down by getting yourself an Indian head massage or traditional henna tattoo. There really isn’t a better time to be in Southall.

Fancy moving to Southall?

A vibrant hub of South Asian culture, Southall is home to hundreds of restaurants and shops offering countless authentic treats. And now the Elizabeth Line has arrived, it’s more appealing than ever to visit or even move here.At UNCLE, we have flats to rent in Southall right now. Think stylish furniture, a karaoke room, a roof terrace with spectacular views across London and an on-site gym and yoga studio. All just 20 minutes by train from the West End. Get in touch with us today to book a viewing.