Familiar Face - Cherry Healey

Cherry is a television presenter, who often fronts lifestyle documentaries and investigations for the BBC. She is currently co-hosting Inside the Factory with Greg Wallace. Cherry has been living in Eaing for just over three years with her children. We talked to her about what makes the borough such a fabulous setting for a family home.

At what stage in your life did you first move to Ealing?

In 2019, I was living in Shepherd's Bush with my two kids in a lovely, but quite small house. They shared a room, which had worked really well but, as they turned into bigger, louder human beings and felt it would be amazing to move somewhere they could have their own space. Plus I was starting to crave a garden and trees. I didn't know Ealing at all but once I started looking I fell in love! It is green and beautiful - the road up to my house feels like being in the countryside. It's so peaceful. I then found a house that ticked all my boxes. I knew it would be somewhere I would live for a very, very long time. I could envision the kids growing into smelly teenagers there and having their own space to make Tik Toks and play loud music. And there was a garden for me to escape to. Unfortunately, I had the double whammy of a very tricky selling situation and Covid lockdown looming but was so lucky to have had brilliant estate agents (shout out to Marsh and Parsons on Askew Road!) that went above and beyond not just to sell my property but helped when buying the Ealing property became problematic as well. It was not a simple process to get the house - I might have had a few teary moments let's just say that! I still wake up and have coffee in my kitchen and can't believe I actually live here!

If you were telling someone about Ealing who had never visited, how would you describe it?

It's like having your cake and eating it. There is so much green and space that sometimes it doesn't feel like being in London. Where I live there is a real sense of community - mainly thanks to an amazing man called Chris who really brings people together - he is part Easter Bunny, part Santa! I absolutely adore the street I live on. Yet whilst there is a feeling of being in the countryside there is also a mainline train station, the central line, the Piccadilly line, tons of buses and now the Elizabeth line (don't get me started on how wonderful that is!). It's actually easier for me to get into Central London from Ealing than it was from Askew Road where I used to live. There are also tons of great shops and places to eat - I sound like an estate agent now sorry! I am still in the honeymoon period!

Do you have a favourite watering hole?

We absolutely love The Grange - it has the best roasts in London. I know that's big chat but I stand by it! We go often and spend hours playing board games - it's such a cosy, friendly spot - they have such a lovely team.

Where have you had your best Ealing meal?

Sorry to be boring but it's The Grange first and foremost, followed by Ta Ke near Ealing Common tube station. They have the best sushi I have ever eaten. Again, big chat but just go and try it.

Is there a part of Ealing that you find particularly inspirational or where you find peace?

I love the area around Walpole Park - the park itself is absolutely beautiful and the little boutique shops and cafes make it feel so peaceful and relaxing.

Tell us what you're up to and what's next for you.

Series 7 of Inside the Factory is on now - you can watch it on BBC2 at 8pm on Tuesdays. I'm also writing a book at the moment that will be out in January next year but I'm not allowed to say more than that at the moment! I also run a course to teach people the techniques of how to manifest powerfully, how to grow in confidence and work out what they want from life (in a nutshell!) and we have our next one starting on May 1st. You can get tickets via the bio on my instagram.

Follow Cherry on Instagram