Assault & Battery 2 - 'Fully Charged And No Limits'
What To Do?
Assault & Battery 2 is located just down the road from Willesden Green underground station, and the main town centre of Willesden with its selection of pubs and eateries. Further South in Kensal Green is a great selection of revitalised gastro pubs with great food and drink menus.
Other nearby sites and attractions include the world-famous Wembley Stadium and Hampstead Heath, as well as a scattering of smaller activites. Here we have picked out a selection of recommendable places to go in your free time...
To Visit
WembleyWembley National Stadium Ltd, Wembley, London, HA9 0WS
Telephone 0844 980 8001
www.wembleystadium.com
The home of football hosts a fair few English victories, albeit currently outweighed by defeats! All the same, Wembley is one of the largest and most spectacular stadiums in the world. It's a short bus ride away from the studio, so check out any matches being played.
LordsLord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW8 8QN
Telephone 020 7616 8500
www.lords.org
If you visit in the summer, you may want to investigate spending a day at the world's most famous cricket ground. If you're timing is extra lucky (and you have a some spare cash to find something for), you may want to join the rat race for a day at an England test match, although Middlesex county are often in town too throughout the summer.
Brent Artists ResourceThe Gallery, Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, London NW10 2SF
Telephone 020 8459 1421
www.brentartistsresource.org.uk
The Brent Artists Resource promotes a wide variation of works by artists in Brent. It is based in the gallery in Willesden Library Centre, less than five minutes from the studio.
Hampstead HeathNorth-West London (Hampstead/Highgate/Kentish Town).
Even studio boffs need to treat their skin to some sun once in a while! Hampstead Heath is probably the closest of London's famous parklands. A good option for a summer's afternoon, the Heath is not too far by tube/bus, and the views across the city are tremendous.
Brent MuseumBrent Museum, Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, London NW10 2SF
Telephone 020 8459 1421
www.brent.gov.uk/heritage.nsf
Brent Muesum is another new cultural addition to Willesden, showcasing a vast array of artefacts linked to the local area. Like the Artist Resource, it is based in the Willesden Library Centre, just around the corner from the studio.
Kensal Green (All Souls) CemeteryHarrow Road, London, W10 4RA (Kensal Green Underground Station)
Telephone (0)20 8969 0152
Queen fans can visit the gravestone of Freddie Mercury at the Kensal Green cemetery. The burial ground contains an interesting variety of Victorian memorials and mausoleums.
Kilburn MarketKilburn High Road, Kilburn, London NW6.
One tube stop away on the Jubilee line, Kilburn hosts a large street market off the High Road. Head down for a haggle!!
To Eat & Drink
The Queensburywww.thequeensbury.net
110 Walm Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW2 4RS. Tel: 020 8452 0171
After fighting your way out of Willesden Green tube station, you might be glad to see this haunt sitting next door! It serves anything from brunch in the morning, through to roasts on a Sunday. There's a large wine and cocktail menu, (never a bad thing), a pub garden and all the spiffing interiors you'd expect for a top of the range gastro pub.
The Paradisewww.theparadise.co.uk
19 Kilburn Lane, London, W10 4AE. Tel: 020 8969 0098
Since being taken over by new management in August '07 (and briefly refurbished in April '08 when this photo was taken!), The Paradise has shot-up in the opinions of local residents and workers. The food and drink is great, as is the music. The frequent cabaret nights seem popular too.
The Greyhound64 Chamberlayne Road, London, NW10 3JJ.
Tel: 020 8969 8080
One of the several gastro-pubs engulfing Kensal Green (a short bus ride south of Willesden), The Greyhound attracts a young and trendy crowd throughout the week. There is a pleasant beer garden out the back, supplementing the covered terrace at the front of the pub.
The Chamberlayne83 Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3ND
Telephone 020 8960 4311
The Chamberlayne serves as another option to those seeking a haunt for eating, drinking or both. Set on the corner of an attractive tree-lined street, the entire side of the pub is lined by its popular terrace. The steaks have certainly acquired fans on the London pub blogosphere!!
The Island123 College Road, Kensal Green, London, NW10 5SA
Telephone 020 8960 0693
Who said England couldn't be tropical? Yes - you're certainly more likely to find a watering-hole of this style on a beach in Thailand, but some inspired chaps have brought the idea to Willesden. Great food, great atmosphere, and great service. The Island is one-in-a-million!
The Masons Arms665 Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London, NW10 5NU
Telephone 020 8960 2278
Boasting one of the best beer gardens in the area, The Masons Arms' popularity seems to be ever-growing. In keeping with the interests of most of the pubs in this area, it prides itself on a great food and drink menu. There is a private hire room upstairs, whereas downstairs boasts a fantastic interior design.
William IV786 Harrow Road, London, NW10 5JX
Telephone 020 8969 5944
The William IV has too undergone many changes of late, much to the approval of its clientele. The food menu now ranges from traditional pub nosh through to Tapas, with the Sunday Roast as popular as ever. This is another pub with a very likeable beer garden. The smoking ban has never been so easy!
The Rising Sun25 Harlesden Road, London, NW10 2BY
Telephone 020 8490 806
Less than 5-minutes away from the studio is The Rising Sun. More of a traditional pub that hasn't caught onto the burgeoning gastro seen of the area, the food portions here are generous for a reasonable price. The staff are notoriously friendly.
Organic For Life80 Harlesden Road, Willesden Green, NW10 2BE
Telephone 020 8459 3334
www.organic-for-life.com
Stocking over 1000 products of only organic food, this small characteristic shop offers a completely healthy option to the usual double-stuffed crust pizza and doner kebab!! Selling everything from the freshest fruit, veg and meats, to vegan and baby foods.
The Green110a Walm Lane, London, NW2 4RS
Telephone 020 8452 0171
Opposite Willesden Green station is The Green. This pub is particularly recommendable at the weekends with its jazz evenings and great roast dinners. The prices are decent too.
The Little Star26 Station Parade, Willesden Green, London, NW2 4NH
Telephone 020 8830 5221
This terrific little restaurant is tucked behind Willesden Green station, and is renowned for great food at great prices. Some offers even include an incredible two course for £5.50! An endearing element to the restaurant is its cosy and characteristic atmosphere.
Sushi Say33b Walm Lane, London, NW2 5SH
Telephone 020 8459 2971
The favourite local sushi bar by a long shot. Not only is the food great, but the staff are true pros, sharing their passion for their menus by explaining the qualities of each dish they serve, should you want them to.
Pizza on the Woodwww.pizzaonthewood.co.uk
76 Walm Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW2 4RA
Telephone 020 8459 3311
Nothing too fancy, but still a small and friendly restaurant cooking a wide variety of pizzas from a wood fire oven. An impressive A-Z of toppings is a prominent feature on the menu, and delivery is also available.
Shishwww.shish.com/restaurants/willesdengreen.htm
2-6 Station Parade, Willesden Green, London, NW2 4NH
Telephone 020 8208 9292
This large Middle-Eastern restaurant and bar is another key spot in the immediate area around Willesden Green. They cook zesty dishes from fresh ingredients, and have a particularly impressive menu of cocktails. There is a private party hire room upstairs.
Ida167 Fifth Avenue, North Kensington, W10 4DT
Telephone 020 8969 9853
This delightful family-run Italian prides itself on the modern-day rarity of serving hand-rolled egg pasta. A real secret gem in the local area.
Niki Noodle53 Salusbury Road, West Hampstead, NW6 6NJ
Telephone 020 7372 5999
nikinoodle.com
This colourfully decorated noodle bar serves a wide range of good quality oriental cuisine. The Queens Park restaurant is the latest of several newly-opened London restaurants in the same chain.
Baker and Spice75 Salusbury Road, London, NW6 6NH
Telephone 020 8830 5221
www.bakerandspice.com
The hugley-popular organic bakery/restaurant has a branch on Salusbury Road near Queens Park tube station. The company pride themselves on serving the freshest organic food, cooked daily and concocting delcious recipes from around the world, as well as selected seasonal varieties.
The Salusbury Pub and Dining Room50-52 Salusbury Road, London, NW6 6NN
Telephone 020 7328 3286
An upmarket pub and diner, seemingly steering away from your bog-standard bangers & mash, and opting for the slightly more sophisticated menu of pappardelle with hare in game sauce, and roast duck leg with sage and balsamic vinegar. Meals cost roughly £18 / head.
The Corrib Rest76 Salusbury Road, London, NW6 6PA
Telephone 020 76259585
Widely-appreciated as one of the best sports pubs in the North-West, The Corrib Rest provides a lively atmosphere on matchdays, however the staff still ensure that the often-large crowds are served quickly and efficiently. The food portions are reported to be more-than generous!
The Prince of Wales101 Willesden Lane, London, NW6 7SD
Telephone 020 7624 9161
Since recently changing hands The Prince of Wales has gone up sharply in people's opinions. There is a Chinese buffet on weekdays, and a very popular roast carvery on Sundays. The Saturday night Karaoke may be of interest to some.
The Luminairewww.theluminaire.co.uk
311 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 7JR
Telephone 020 8208 9292
The Luminaire is one of the most renowned live music venues in North-West London, and is situated on a lively strip of bars on the bustling Kilburn Hogh Road. There is music on most nights so check their website for listings.
The Good Shipwww.thegoodship.co.uk
289 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 7JR
Telephone 020 8208 9292
One of the Lumianire's closest neighbours, The Good Ship has established a rapidly growing reputation for attracting great bands and artists since its opening in 2005. Their upcoming listings are on their website.
So here are several great places to get you started. These are mostly situated in the immediate local areas of Willesden and Kensal Green, but should you want to venture slightly further afield, the areas of Kilburn, West Hampstead, Belsize Park and Camden can be reached easily by train and bus. Even the West End (Bond Street) is within 15 minutes by tube. Spoiled for choice!