As one of London's most famous music venues, the Shepherds Bush Empire has attracted high profile acts from around the globe for decades. Overlooking Shepherds Bush Green, it is perfectly located for the many bars and restaurants in the area, and is close to both Goldhawk Road and Shepherds Bush tube stations. 

A short walk from the pubs and bars of King Street, the Hammersmith Apollo has staged everyone from Lou Reed, to Guns N' Roses to 50 Cent, and will have an internationally known artist playing there most weeks. It is placed directly behind Hammersmith tube and bus station. 

Venture slightly further towards Central London, and you'll stumble across another prestigious venue. Although often staging massive concerts, Earls Court also hosts many award ceremonies, exhibitions and the odd beer festival. 

For the more underground and arty gigs, Bush Hall is a highly recommended place to go. The spectacular decor contributes to the overall unique vibes of the venue. It is a short walk along The Vale from Sofasound. 

This innovative centre combines a working environment with an entertaniment venue catering for photoshoots, events and exhibitions. But if you don't fancy working or being massively entertained, it also serves well as a general chill-out zone, with a cafe and bar, pool tables and televesion screens. 

Situated above the traditional Tabard pub, is this extroadinary "in the round" theatre. Set within a cozy and intimate room, the theatre puts on plays ranging from Shakespeare to modern-day productions. 

The Lyric theatre is one of the most popular London theatres outside of the West End. Although it displays a contemporary exterior, the inside of the Lyric is more reminiscent of an elaborate 19th century theatre. The Lyric often puts on productions by the world's better-known playwrites, although they have always put an emphasis on diversity and originality in their productions. 

This world famous street market (with a little help from Hugh Grant and his blue door in the film 'Notting Hill'), opens every friday and saturday. Selling everything from fruit, to CDs, to antiques from all around the world, the market is a major attraction at the weekends, hence it can get rather busy. The closest tube stations are Ladbroke Grove at one end and Notting Hill Gate at the other. 

QPR play at the Loftus Road ground in Shepherds Bush. After finishing winning the Championship they are currently playing their first season in the Premiership for 15 years, they provide a cheaper alternative for football fans to West London's  other two Premiership clubs. The stadium also stages international and domestic rugby matches. 

One of the smaller clubs to play in the English Premiership, Fulham are owned by the Egyptian businessman, Mohamed Al Fayed. Their Premiership status means tickets are not all that cheap, although they are one of the easier Premiership teams to get tickets for - which isn't to say they don't play entertaining football, they're just not as good as local arch-rivals Chelsea! 

Over the last five years, Chelsea have rapidly risen to become one of the giants of European football, having attracted some of the game's biggest global stars to their dressing room. Firstly, tickets are expensive. Secondly, they are hard to get hold of, and you have more chance of attending a smaller cup tie than a Premiership fixture. But it is certainly worth a go to get a glimpse of one of the world's best teams. 

If paying astronomical prices for match tickets, getting drunk, and screaming at the top of your lungs from the terraces isn't quite up your street, then the cheaper, quieter and more civilised option would be to go for a walk along the Thames, which in its western stretches not only boasts beautiful scenery, but also stages the world famous University Boat Race, if you happen to be around on that one day of the year. 

One of many public parks in the area, Acton Park is closest to Sofasound located on the other side of The Vale to Stanley Gardens. It contains tennis courts, basketballl courts, a playground, and of course the obvious - acres of open green space for picnics, kick-abouts, sunbathing, bird watching, spectating OAPs playing bowls etc. etc...... 

Set back from the dust and pollution of Goldhawk Road, this is a pleasant pub which particularly comes into its own on a Sunday afternoon, when the food menu significantly expands, catering for affluent seafood dishes, right through to more traditional pub nosh. A good selection of ales and lagers are on offer.

Having gone through a severe refurb in 2005, this traditional West London pub has recently regained its popularity with local residents. Located on the bustling Goldhawk Road, its selection of widescreen displays make it a particular favourite with sports fans. 

This relaxed, chic venue is situated close to Shepherds Bush Green and tube stations of Goldhawk Road and Shepherds Bush (central line). Perfectly located for pre-gig or after-gig drinks for people going to the prestigious Shepherds Bush Empire, this bar/diner has a great selection of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails. 

Arguably the UK's most popular chain restaurant specialising in French Cuisine, many of you will need no introduction to Cafe Rouge. Hence many of you will also not be surprised that a few pop up over West London, the closest to Sofasound being on Chiswick High Road, merely ten minutes from the studio. Bon Appetite! 

From Le Francais to El Espanol, La Tasca's hugely succesful chain of restaurants have opened the eyes of The British to the wonders of tapas and sangria. Located a little further west along Chiswick High Road from Cafe Rouge, La Tasca is still in good walking distance from Sofasound. 

Opposite the picturesque spaces of Turnham Green Park, this airy restaurant with well-priced dishes makes for comfortable, relaxed dining. What really stands them out from the ever-growing crowd of Italian chain restaurants, is that in 2007 they introduced a Carluccios Picnic Boxes service, for those who prefer to enjoy their food on one of the many nearby parks. 

Smart Cafe is another cheap and convenient cafe moments from Sofasound, offering a little doorstep variety. 

Located within the quiet residential streets which separate the main roads of The Vale and Chiswick High Road, this very popluar patisserie is a short walk from Sofasound, and offers a delicious range of cakes and pastries. 

The Lebanese Food Centre is a fantastically cheap option for those wiilling to prepare their own lunches. Filled with all the traditional spices and vegetable ingredients associated with Lebanon, this mini market offers a great alternative. 

Take a walk across Acton Park, and you'll find this great pub in the quaint suburbs around Acton Central station. Well-reputed for its friendly and knowledgable staff, the pub also benefits from a light and airy atmosphere, making it one of the most popular haunts in the area. 

Nestled away on the north-west side of Acton Green Common, Le Vacherin French Bistro has become generally regarded as a local gem. Although the menu appears to be fancy, and the surrounding residencies occupied by wealth, the real blessing of this restaurant is the actually very decent prices, and the infamous offer vouchers promoted in the local papers, although we discourage clients from raiding residents' post boxes!! 

Another very popular local spot, The Swan is well worth a visit on the way back or on the way to an eaterie on Chiswick High Road. Boasting good beer, good food, good service, good clientele and a good beer garden for the summer, there wouldn't be much else you would look for in a traditional British pub. They also regularly show sport. 

This pub is placed on the corner of Turnham Green Park, and can be accessed from the Chiswick High Road, or the Barley Mow Passage at the rear of the pub. Punters can enjoy a diverse range of wines, beers, and foods, and make use of the attractive beer garden which looks onto the continental High Road. The pub also serves fresh coffee and bakery goods from 9am. 

Situated on a picturesque side street off the main high road, the Oriental Brasserie serves a diverse range of Asian cuisine, and even experiment with Eastern/Western fusion dishes. 

On the corner of Chiswick High Road and Turnham Green Terrace, is one of three Strada restaurants in West London. Priding themselves on serving simple, traditional Italian dishes using top quality produce, cooked in a wood burning oven, the menu is further complimented by very reasonable prices. As with many restaurants in Chiswick, there is street-seating, magnifying the area's continental feel. 

The good choice of ales, wines and spirits, as well as the relaxed interior of The Goldhawk, is making the pub increasingly popular. It particularly attracts professionals for after-work drinks on most nights, creating a good bustling atmosphere at this time in the evening. 

Generally regarded as the heart of Australasian London, it is no suprise that Shepherds Bush caters for the biggest Australasian pub in the city. Filled with sports fans watching everything from Aussie Rules to the English Premiership, this vibrant and informal haunt has become an iconic venue in West London.