Southall

Sometimes known as Little India, Southall is a lively and diverse community in the London Borough of Ealing, West London.

Vibrant, Diverse, Unforgettable Southall

There are strong Indian and Pakistani roots here mixed with communities from all over the world.

You'll find women in colourful saris, pavement food stalls selling samosas and Indian sweets, and bright fabrics hanging in shop fronts.

Add to this the bhangra music in the air, and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant local economy, all of which makes a visit to Southall unforgettable.

Diwali in Southall

There's no better time to visit Southall than around the Festival of Lights or Diwali. Generally celebrated in late October or early November, at this time of year the streets of Southall are busy with the local community making preparations for one of the biggest festivals of the year.

Diwali is celebrated by the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and represents the victory of light over darkness.

Diwali is a great time to take advantage of special offers on silk and jewellery. Or treat yourself to an Indian Head massage or a henna tattoo.

Shopping in Southall

The main shopping area is along Southall Broadway on Uxbridge Road. Southall Market on Uxbridge Road opposite North Road is open on Friday and Saturday (by far the busiest day).

There are lots of different things on offer, ranging from food stalls, clothes (both Asian and European) and electronics.

The Himalaya Palace Cinema

Himalaya Palace Cinema. Image courtesy of Britain on View.

The Himalaya Palace Cinema, designed by the architect George Coles, is a well-loved local landmark. It was built in 1929. The cinema's exuberant style, in the form of a Chinese temple, is unique in Britain.

It boasts one of the largest screens showing both Bollywood blockbusters and Hollywood releases in the UK.

Eating out in Southall

There's a huge range of places to eat and drink in Southall, particularly Punjabi, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and South Indian restaurants.

The Glassy Junction Pub prides itself as being the only pub in the UK to accept Indian rupees. It also has a good range of Indian beers on tap to accompany their curry menu.