Welcome to The Queen of the suburbs !
Ealing, formerly nicknamed The Queen of the suburbs (la Reine des banlieues), is very large. We are focusing here on the Ealing Broadway area. This London district, very popular with families, has all the assets of a green, commercial suburb with a typically English atmosphere. When Agnès discovered it, she fell under its spell: ” Here, it’s beautiful, green and urban at the same time, very cosmopolitan and I immediately felt at home! » With its pretty Victorian residences, its small terraced houses, its gardens and parks, its numerous cafés, restaurants, small and large shops, its cinemas and its theatre, you are definitely in London, with added peace and quiet…
“Ealing Broadway is London without the noise!”
Clap at Ealing Broadway
The famous Ealing Studios, the oldest film studios in the world, were opened in 1896 as Will Barker Studios. At the heart of the glory days of British comedy in the 40s and 50s, they then passed into the hands of the BBC until 1995. Notting Hill, Downton Abbey, Black Mirror saison 5, Last Night in Soho, Le Crime de l’Orient Expressare part of their recent productions. If the original buildings are now homes, the district strives to maintain its cultural history, in its urban planning and with the presence of three cinemas (Filmworks, Ealing Project, Picture House), without forgetting its independent amateur theatre The Questors (created in 1929) or Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, a majestic palace nestled in the heart of Walpole Park, hosting exhibitions, events and festivals.
Ealing, a particularly close-knit community
In its recent history, Ealing has seen Freddie Mercury study (at Ealing Art College), hosted one of the first Rolling Stones concerts (at the Ealing Jazz Club), and has in recent years been undergoing a necessary but not excessive urban modernisation.
Ealing is driven above all by a genuine sense of community. The Facebook group Ealing & Northfield friends (24,000 members) is a witness to this mutual aid, great things have happened during the pandemic “, Agnès tells us. She herself tries to take part, notably with the Ealing Soup Kitchen association, which on Fridays at St John’s Church offers a meal, clothes, administrative help, games, a shower and treatments such as seated or hand massages. ” This is a very important meeting for me. ” confides Agnès.
Mahaba Cafe
Among the addresses that Agnès shares with us, zoom in on Mahaba Cafe (“love” in Swahili). Created by her friend Muriel, this community place is much more than a café! Its mission is to train and employ young adults from Ealing with disabilities. Diversity, humanity and transmission are therefore added to a quality café! Today housed within the Ealing Project cinema, Mahaba Cafe is looking for its own premises, spread the word!
A Montpellier woman with a big heart
Agnès Gaudron has always focused on the well-being of others. Trained in psychology and social work, she first worked for several years in palliative care at a hospital in France. She arrived in London in 2012 to make a fresh start and (finally) learn English. In 2018, she realized her dream and opened Agnes Organica 100% organic hair and beauty salon, a must for people allergic to chemicals. In 2024, Agnès is preparing to change her life again. She has closed her salon, works as a marketing manager for Rayuela, her favorite restaurant, while completing end-of-life assistance training at the same time.
Companion of the last breath
Here we say ” End of life doula », doula meaning servant in Greek. Agnes explains to us: “ Too many people die alone without having addressed this subject. In my opinion, you have to prepare well in advance, this avoids a lot of trauma for yourself and those who remain. I was confronted with death quite young and it is not taboo for me. I want to help patients and their loved ones to tell each other important things in time and to get through this stage as calmly as possible. »
Although she still misses the weather in the south of France, Agnès lives in the moment, waiting to be able to dedicate herself to her next mission, in France or in London, but always with the same generosity and energy!
Agnès Gaudron’s good addresses
Ealing gourmand
Mahaba Cafe : Ealing Project, 1 High Street, W5 5DB
Reineta: coffee, tapas, organic delicatessen, fine wines and live music on Friday evenings (Unit 9a, Dickens Yard, Longfield Av., W5 2TD)
Rayuela: Seasonal Spanish cuisine, Agnès’ favourite restaurant! (Unit 9a, Dickens Yard, Longfield Av., W5 2TD)
The Rose & Crown pour son Sunday roast (Church Place, St. Mary’s Rd, W5 4HN)
Ealing culturel
Open Ealing Arts Centre: multiple classes, talks and performances (Unit 14 School Ln, Dickens Yard, W5 2TD)
For Arts Sake: renowned for its art prints, books, ceramics and frames (45 Bond Street, Ealing, W5 5AS)
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery: exhibitions, events and festivals in the heart of Walpole Park (Ealing Green, W5 5EQ)
The Questors theatre: independent amateur theatre (12 Mattock Ln, Ealing W5 5BQ)
Not forgetting the annual BEAT (Borough of Ealing Art Trail) festival, mentioned in Assia Bennani’s profile HERE
Ealing Zen and beautiful
The Soma Room : massages divins (7 Spring Bridge Mews, Ealing, W5 2AB)
Atelier Paris: trendy French hair salon (211 Uxbridge Rd, West Ealing, W13 9AA)
Ealing vert
Walpole Park: Agnes’ favourite for its lake and manor house (Mattock Ln, W5 5EQ)
Lammas Park: tennis courts, croquet lawns and football (30 Elers Rd, W13 9QD)
Pitshanger Park (further north, W5 1LS): with its golf course (Ealing Golf Club) and not far from St Barnabas Church for its free Friday lunchtime concerts
Ealing practice
Transports : in zone 3, Ealing is served by three underground lines: District line, Piccadilly line and, more recently, Elizabeth line, which takes you to Liverpool Street in less than 30 minutes (Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Ealing Common, South Ealing, North Ealing stations)
Google Maps : Ealing
Schools : renowned international and English schools (including ISL), in addition to the French school André Malraux (local primary school of the Lycée Charles de Gaulle) and La Chouette School (bilingual nursery school)
