Hammersmith is a centre in West London on the north banks of the River Thames. It is one of London’s transport, commercial and employment centres. Many multi-national companies trade in the area.
Hammersmith began to grow once the railways were built in the area, the Metropolitan Railway in 1863 running from Hammersmith to Paddington and in 1874 the District Line. The area was to see a huge expansion during the latter half of the 19th century. The population in 1801 was 10,000 in 1901 it was 250,000.
Houses and industrial building took place with major industrial sites that included the Osram Lamp Factory and J Lyons, at one time employing a massive 30,000 people. Hammersmith was also home to the largest British power station. These have all now closed and the area now focuses on commerce and services.
US Broadcasters NBC and ABC have their London News Offices in Hammersmith.
Hammersmith is home to many multi-national companies whose offices are on the eastern side of the centre from Hammersmith Road to the controversial glass office building, The Ark. Companies include Betchel, AOL UK, EMI, L’Oreal, Coca Cola, Disney and Sony Ericsson.
There are two National Health Hospitals in Hammersmith, these employ a great many people, Charing Cross Hospital is a large hospital with an Accident and Emergency Department and Imperial College London run the teaching department. The other is Ravenscourt Park Hospital, this hospital specialises in orthopaedics surgery and related problems.
Hammersmith has many retail outlets again employing a large number of staff. King Street is the main shopping street and there are also two shopping centres, The Kings Mall and The Broadway, this is housed in the Piccadilly and District Line Station Complex. Here is also where the modern bus station is housed, open twenty-four hours a day with buses and coaches running day and night.
Shops to be found in Hammersmith include, Giovarina Larousso, Benetton, Central Park, Krisp Clothing, Question Air and Blue Inc, larger stores include Primark, TK Maxx and Marks and Spencer.
Hammersmith is on the A4 major road from London to the M4 motorway and Heathrow Airport. This road becomes the Hammersmith Flyover above the Hammersmith Gyratory System. Hammersmith’s bridge was the first suspension bridge to be built over the River Thames.
Property is always available for rent in Hammersmith at costs around £245-£320pw for a l bed flat, £275-£420pw for a 2 bed flat, £475-£650pw for a 2 bed house and £500-£695pw for a 3 bed house.
Hammersmith has the Lyric Theatre, the Apollo concert hall, once known as the Hammersmith Odeon, well known for it’s star studded performances. For many years the Hammersmith Palais was a very well known nightclub though this has now been demolished.
Ravenscourt Park is to the west of the centre and has ponds, basket-ball court, tennis courts and a crèche.
Among the many public houses in Hammersmith is ‘The Dove’ London’s oldest surviving riverside pub. The narrow alley where it stands is the last remaining piece of the Village of Hammersmith, the rest of which was demolished in the 1930’s.
There are plenty of eating-houses in the area, over 100 actually, a few of which include, Agni Restaurant, winner of the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2007, the AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence 2006-2007. The menu shows the progress of Indian food. Chez Kristof, a French restaurant winner of Time Out’s Best Local Restaurant 2005. The Gate was a finalist of Hammersmith and Fulham’s Chef of the Year 2006, this vegetarian has also been voted winner of the Vegetarian Society Best Restaurant, twice. The River Café, an Italian restaurant that was one of the best 100 restaurants in 2007.
Many bars and pubs along the River Thames towpath make for nice summer evenings out as several have balconies or terraces overlooking the river.
The London Wetland Centre is across the river where 105 acres are home to over 180 species of birds.
Olympia Exhibition Hall is also situated in Hammersmith and houses many exhibitions throughout the year including the Ideal Home Show.
Most of Hammersmith’s historical buildings are not open to the public apart from the weekend that London’s Open House takes place.
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