11 Things to do in Hammersmith

Westfield is Europe’s largest shopping centre with more than 300 shops and 60 restaurants. You’ll find everything from high street brands to luxury products.

There’s plenty of parking – but it’s right by Shepherd’s Bush tube too, so once you’ve exhausted your credit card you won’t need to walk far.

A great venue in Hammersmith, the Empire is a music venue originally built as a music hall.

It was the BBC Television theatre from 1953 to 1994, since then it returned to its roots and now holds a host of live rock and pop music events.

It’s a Grade II listed building, but that doesn’t seem to hold back the sounds!

Queens Tennis Club is best known for holding the Men’s warm-up for Wimbledon in June each year. It’s relatively easy to get tickets, though at a price, and you’ll enjoy a close-up view of the same stars who appear a little further out of town a week or so later.

Houses around the edge of Queens Tennis Club enjoy a premium view of the courts – and as a result, are sold for a premium price.

Olympia was opened in 1886 and, with the closure of Earls Court Exhibition Centre, is now the largest central London site and home to the world’s longest running exhibition, the Ideal Home show.

You’ll find plenty of events there, from Hyper Japan to The Great British Beer Festival.

The first ever Ideal Home Show was held here in 1908. But the show moved to nearby Earls Court in 1978.

It returned to its ‘birthplace’ in 2015 after Earls Court was closed for redevelopment as residential housing.

One of London’s prettiest bridges, Hammersmith is Grade II* Listed. It was built to replace a previous bridge which had become too weak for the volume of traffic and opened on11 June 1887.

Around halfway between the start and finish of the famous Oxford and Cambridge boat race, it’s a popular viewing point for the race.

In 1996 the IRA planted two bombs underneath the bridge in an attempt to blow it up. The detonators caused two small explosions but the bombs themselves failed.

Interesting fact the Bridge was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who was responsible for designing much of central London’s sewage system!

Until fairly recently Hammersmith had several entertainments venues.

But with the closure and demolition of the Palais, the area is now served by the Eventim Apollo, a Grade II* listed Art Deco building designed by Richard Cromie and opened in 1932.

If the hustle and bustle of London are getting too much for you, escape to Ravenscourt Park, where you’ll find two cafés, a walled garden and a pretty tree-lined pond.

Around the back of the Curtains Up pub, you’ll find a London fringe theatre, complete with cinema style seating. Definitely worth a visit for quirky productions at a budget price

One of London’s most vibrant, multicultural markets, this street market has run for over 100 years.

You’ll find all kinds of food here, from fresh produce to food vans serving rather famous falafel. And there’s clothing, crafts and fabrics too.

Old Laundry Yard offers a home to start-ups and small businesses and there’s a community space for live events.

This is very much a local market which so far has avoided the tourist hype of Camden or Portobello Road.

Catch a production at the Lyric Hammersmith, a world-class theatre with the community at its heart. The modern exterior opens up into the carefully restored Victorian interior, designed in 1895 by Frank Matcham. The theatre is recognised for its work creating access to arts for young people from all backgrounds.

Head up to the first-floor bar and enjoy a bite to eat and a drink or two on the roof terrace. This is a pleasant green spot where you can relax and look out over Lyric Square below.