Opening hours
Open daily, 8.30 to 11.00 am and 2.00 to 8.00 pm.
Your first visit
Visiting the Vihara
The Vihara is open to all devotees and visitors. Activities are listed on the notice board inside the front entrance, and a monk or a lay person is usually present to help newcomers.
Before you visit
There is no need to be Buddhist to visit. Modest, comfortable clothing is best for the shrine and teaching spaces. [Full etiquette guidance to confirm.]
Daily puja and classes
Puja and chanting every evening at 6.00 pm, live-streamed on the Vihara's YouTube and Facebook channels. Weekly classes for beginners and regular students, and meditation sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Library and bookstall
The library in the main hall holds over 2,600 items, including the Buddhist Canon in English and Asian languages and ola-leaf manuscripts, and is open to students and friends of the Vihara by arrangement. The bookstall carries over 200 Theravāda titles.
School & group visits
Weekday visits for schools and other groups
The Vihara welcomes weekday visits from local schools studying Buddhism, as well as from colleges, faith groups, community groups and other organised parties. A visit usually includes time in the shrine room, an introduction to the Vihara and to Theravāda Buddhist practice, and the chance to ask questions.
[Age ranges, group sizes, what a visit covers, how far ahead to book, and the booking contact to be confirmed by the Vihara.]
Planning a visit
- Weekday visits, arranged in advance.
- Suitable for primary and secondary RE and PSHE groups, and for adult and community groups.
- Please advise numbers, ages and any access needs when booking.
- A donation towards the upkeep of the Vihara is welcome but not required.
- Sunday Dhamma School activities for children of Buddhist families are separate — see Dhamma School.
Find us and get in touch
Address and contact
London Buddhist Vihara
Dharmapala Building
The Avenue
Chiswick
London W4 1UD
United Kingdom
An embedded map will be added before publication.
Contact and follow
- Tel: +44 (0)20 8995 9493
- Fax: +44 (0)20 8994 8130
- Email: lbvihara@gmail.com
- YouTube: youtube.com/@londonbuddhistvihara6569 — daily evening puja and Dhamma talks.
- Facebook: facebook.com/lbvihara
- Dhamma School enquiries are handled separately — see the Dhamma School page.
How to get there
By Underground or by car
The Vihara is on The Avenue in Chiswick, west London, about 100 metres from Turnham Green Underground station.
Turnham Green
On the District line, about 100 metres from the Vihara. Coming out of the station, turn right and pass the two mini-roundabouts; the Vihara is a short distance along on the left, on The Avenue.
Parking
Parking restrictions are in force on The Avenue between 8.00 am and 6.30 pm, Monday to Saturday. Pay-and-display parking is available on the side streets, where charges apply between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Routes nearby
Several routes serve Chiswick High Road and the surrounding streets. [Nearest stops and route numbers to be confirmed.]
Accessibility
An accessibility guide for the Vihara is published by AccessAble. [Details of ramps, thresholds and accessible facilities to be confirmed and summarised here.]
Before you travel
Any questions about your visit?
Call or email and a monk or lay person will get back to you.