Ealing Broadway 

The "Queen of the Suburbs" is one of London's oldest locale's and is the subject of the oldest surviving census from way back in 1599 when Ealing was nothing more than a village of 85 houses. Needless to say there's been some development in the years since, and if diversity is what you're after you can't go far wrong by visiting the green, almost un-London-like suburb of Ealing. At it's hub is a wealth of transport links in the form of both a train and underground station, and it's from here you can take a stroll through Haven Green before (or after) a hard day's shopping which, in mid-summer, will be strewn with power-sun-bathers, basking for their 30 minutes before returning to their usual business. Greenery is a prominent feature in Ealing, and it's nice to visit a London location that has so much of it. Fear not, however, as it certainly doesn't take anything away from ardent shoppers. As far as high street shops go, these are mostly independently owned shops selling clothing for the most part, interspersed with all manners of cafes and restaurants, and a fair few estate agents if the housing market is your game. For more familiar names there's the grand Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre, which has become somewhat of a focal point of Ealing shopping, housing all the favourites such as Next, Argos and Marks & Spencer (which in a previous incarnation starred in an old Doctor Who episode). The smaller Arcadia Shopping Centre lies opposite. Ealing is, of course, most famous for its production company Ealing Studios; officially the oldest studio in the world. While much can (and has) been written about them, sufficed to say they are a grand viewing opportunity when at the southern end of the area which has a more village-like feel to it than the bustling thorough fare. The local council Town Hall, churches and manor houses provide some astounding architecture for the eyes between shops, and at the end of the day there's a few prime watering holes to quench the thirst while the sun sets on another day's shopping.