Things To Do
in Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a suburban town in West London, serving as the administrative centre of the London Borough of Hillingdon with a mix of historic streets, canalside paths and modern shopping centres. It combines commuter-friendly transport links (terminal for the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines) with green spaces such as Colne Valley and Grand Union Canal towpaths. The town has an eclectic local culture shaped by Brunel University students, long-term residents and a diverse migrant population, producing varied food, shops and community events.
Visitors will find easy access to London attractions while enjoying quieter riverside walks, museums such as the Battle of Britain Bunker and family-friendly facilities.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at a local café, enjoying traditional English fare. Afterward, stroll through the historic town center, taking in the charming architecture and pedestrian-friendly streets. Don’t miss visiting the Uxbridge Library, an iconic building filled with history.
Spend your afternoon shopping at the Mall Pavilions or exploring the unique boutiques in the area. For lunch, indulge in some international cuisine at one of the many restaurants that line the streets. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider a quick trip to the stunning nearby Brunel University campus.
As the sun sets, enjoy dinner at a cozy pub that offers local ales and hearty dishes. Afterward, catch a live music performance or a theatrical production at a local venue. Wrap up your evening with a leisurely walk along the Grand Union Canal, soaking in the serene atmosphere.
Start your day with a revitalizing walk through the beautiful Fassnidge Park, known for its lush greenery and serene lake. Spend time enjoying the morning tranquility, perhaps with a coffee from a nearby kiosk. Feel free to bring a picnic and relax on the grass for a while.
Head to the nearby Denham Country Park, where you can explore winding trails and spot various wildlife. After a nature-filled afternoon, have a packed lunch by the riverside, soaking in the peaceful surroundings. Take a moment to reflect and recharge before heading back to town.
Consider dining at a farm-to-table restaurant offering fresh, seasonal dishes to complement your nature-filled day. After dinner, visit one of Uxbridge's bars for a craft cocktail or local brew, mingling with locals. End the night unwinding at your accommodation, perhaps planning the adventures of tomorrow.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $10-15 |
| ☕Coffee (regular) | $3-5 |
| 🍺Pint of beer (pub) | $5-7 |
| 🚕Taxi 5 km ride | $10-20 |
| 🛏️Mid-range hotel per night | $80-150 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Excellent transport links to central London (tube terminus).
- Plenty of green spaces and waterways for outdoor activities.
- Diverse food scene with good value options.
- Quieter and more relaxed than central London while still close enough for day trips.
- Can be busy during commuter peak hours, especially on roads.
- Limited late-night entertainment compared with central London.
- Weather can be changeable—outdoor plans may be affected.
- Some attractions and specialist dining require travel into neighbouring areas or central London.
Places to Visit in Uxbridge
Visit one of these nice places.
Picturesque canal scenes, colourful narrowboats, reflections and waterside wildlife; golden-hour light works particularly well for atmospheric shots.
Historic, evocative angles around the preserved bunker and memorial plaques—strong subject matter for history-themed photography and architectural detail.
Traditional church architecture, quaint lanes and period buildings provide classic town-centre compositions.
Open skies, reedbeds and abundant birdlife create great opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography, especially at dawn or dusk.
Modernist campus buildings, sculptures and landscaped spaces are good for architectural and campus-life shots.
Food in Uxbridge
Uxbridge Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Traditional British roast with meat, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy—widely available in Uxbridge pubs on Sundays; try well-reviewed local pubs along the High Street or near the canal.
Must-Try!
Uxbridge has many long-established South Asian restaurants offering curries, biryanis and kebabs—excellent spots are clustered near the town centre and around High Street.
Hearty fry-ups are common at local cafes and breakfast spots—great before a day of exploring or when leaving for a countryside walk.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Local street traders and occasional markets sell fresh produce, baked goods and street food items; weekend stalls often offer regional and ethnic foods—look for seasonal markets advertised locally.
Small farmers’ markets and pop-up food stalls in the Hillingdon area bring local produce, cheeses and pastries—check local council listings for dates and locations.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Form orderly queues and wait your turn; politeness and brief apologies are common (e.g., 'sorry' used frequently even for small inconveniences).
Be on time for appointments and transport; trains and buses keep reasonably to timetables, so allow time for connections.
Maintain personal space in public and greeting is usually informal—handshakes are common in introductions, especially in more formal settings.
Smoking in enclosed public spaces is banned; drinking in public is common but excessive behaviour is frowned upon.
Safety
Tipping in Uxbridge
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory: restaurants typically expect 10–15% if service charge is not included; round up taxi fares or add a small tip; in pubs you normally don’t tip for drinks at the bar, but you may tip table service.
Contactless cards and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are widely accepted; major credit and debit cards work in most venues. London’s transport uses Oyster/contactless for tube and bus fares; carry a little cash for small stalls.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Warmest and sunniest months with long daylight—ideal for canal walks, outdoor dining and festivals; expect occasional thunderstorms and busy weekends as residents head to parks and nearby countryside.
Crisp, cool days with colourful foliage in parks and woodlands—great for photography and hiking; pack layers and waterproofs for unpredictable showers.
Cold but generally mild compared with the UK north; short daylight hours and occasional frost or rare snow—indoor attractions, cozy pubs and festive markets are highlights.
Blossom and new growth in green spaces, comfortable temperatures for walking and cycling; weekends can be busy as locals enjoy outdoor activities—bring a light jacket for breezy days.
Uxbridge at Night
Hiking in Uxbridge
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A network of trails through wetlands, meadows and parkland following the River Colne—excellent for long walks, cycling and wildlife spotting.
Ancient beech woodland with waymarked trails, good for shaded walks and spotting bluebells in spring—short drive from Uxbridge.
Flat, easy walking along the canal with scenic locks, towpath wildlife and opportunities to extend the route toward Hillingdon or central London.
Within a 30–60 minute drive—offers hillier hiking, chalk downlands and panoramic views; routes around Chesham and Amersham are popular day trips.
Airports
How to reach Uxbridge by plane.
Major international airport 10–20 minutes by car (traffic dependent) and easily reachable by local buses and express services; Heathrow also connects by rail and the Piccadilly line into central London—most convenient for international travellers.
Budget airline hub north of London—about 45–60 minutes by car or shuttle coach; accessible by road and rail connections but longer transfer times than Heathrow.
Smaller airport focused on business routes—about 40–60 minutes by road or public transport, convenient for some domestic and European flights but fewer international options.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Many residents commute into central London for work, attracted by the tube connections and suburban housing.
Brunel University brings a mix of UK and international students, contributing to youthful energy and diverse eateries.
Established families and older residents who value schools, parks and community services in the borough.
Uxbridge has sizable South Asian and other international communities, reflected in shops, restaurants and cultural events.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Widely followed and played locally with grassroots clubs and youth teams; Uxbridge FC and other amateur clubs provide local fixtures and community engagement.
Traditional summer sport (cricket) and year-round rugby clubs are active in the borough, featuring local leagues and community matches.
Canal and nearby waterways support recreational rowing, canoeing and paddle activities—popular for clubs and leisure users.
Brunel University promotes a wide range of sports (athletics, basketball, swimming) and facilities that occasionally host events open to the public.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Uxbridge.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are widely available—Indian restaurants have multiple vegetarian dishes, and most cafes and pubs clearly label veggie choices. Supermarkets and health-food stores also offer plant-based options.
Vegan choices are increasingly common at cafes and some restaurants; check menus or call ahead to confirm vegan preparation. Larger supermarkets stocked with vegan ingredients are nearby.
Many restaurants can offer gluten-free options or adapt dishes (e.g., salads, grilled meats). For strict coeliac requirements, ask staff about cross-contamination and consider specialist eateries in wider Hillingdon or central London.