Hammersmith

West London

Hammersmith borders on Fulham, Kensington and Shepherds Bush. For many years this west end area has been famous for it's entertainment venues which include the Lyric Theatre, Apollo (concerts and theatre), Odeon cinema and Riverside Studios which often shows Greek films (cinema, performance center, bar and cafe).

The world famous Hammersmith Palais was the place to be in the 60s but sadly this amazing nightclub closed some time ago and is soon to be demolished.

Hammersmith King Street is where all the main shops and King's Mall (another shopping centre) are located with stores such as Primark, WH Smith and Safeways.

King Street is also home to the Polish and Irish Centres and the Town Hall.

The Lyric Theatre is just off King Street in Lyric Square.

This lovely theatre has an upstairs terrace so ideal for having coffee or a meal and drink as it's far away from the hectic pace of the maddening crowd below. There's also a great little cafe attached to the Lyric Theatre in the square below.

Places of Interest

Just behind Marks & Spencers on King's Street is the entrance to the river and it's many London pubs. This is where Hammersmith Village used to be and also where you'll find The Dove Pub which is one of the oldest and smallest pubs in the UK. It's also famous for it's many customers such as the authors Ernest Hemingway and Graham Greene.

Another place of interest is Kelmscott House which is where William Morris (1834-1896) the famous English artist, writer, socialist and political activist lived and had his famous Kelmscott Press. Now a craft centre with the Albion Press Coach House, library and exhibitions of William Morris embroideries and Pre-Raphaelite drawings. This is also where the William Morris Society resides.

Location for Films & Famous People

The area is often used for filming and TVs shows and in the past was used as a location for the Sweeney (John Thaw and Dennis Waterman) and Bottom (Rick Mayell & Adrian Edmondson). More recent residents of the area include pop singer Lily Allen, rock singer Roger Daltrey and actors Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman.

The famous bridge with the same name as the area leads to the south of London and the very pretty areas of Roehampton (famous for its University) and fashionable and upmarket Barnes and Richmond.