Hammersmith occupies a bend of the Thames in Zone 2, about twenty minutes from Piccadilly Circus on the Tube. The area has been attracting families, professionals, and renters for years, and for good reason. We put together this Hammersmith area guide to cover what actually matters when you're considering a move including property prices, schools, transport, and lifestyle so that you can decide whether W6 deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Where is Hammersmith?
Hammersmith sits within the western half of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Fulham is to the south, Shepherd's Bush and Brook Green lie to the north, Chiswick wraps around the west side, and Kensington begins to the east. Most of the neighbourhood falls under the W6 postcode. The southern boundary follows the Thames, and that's what gives Hammersmith a different feel from the rest of inner West London. King Street is the main commercial spine, running east from the Broadway transport hub towards the quieter terraces around Ravenscourt Park. Head the other direction and you hit the A4, which feeds traffic west to the M4 and eventually Heathrow.
Is Hammersmith a good place to live?
When it comes to safety, crime in Hammersmith is below the London average. The borough and the residential streets around Brackenbury Village, Ravenscourt Park and Hammersmith Terrace are also calm and quiet, once you step away from the hustle and bustle of King Street. Families come to the area for the schools, couples choose Hammersmith for the numerous and fine riverside pubs and cafés, while professionals flock to Hammersmith because of its connectivity.
When it comes to cost of living, Hammersmith Terrace's row of Georgian townhouses and the newer riverside blocks at Distillery Wharf push the area into premium territory. But Hammersmith is not uniformly affluent. The property stock also consists of ex-council stock, purpose-built flats, and Victorian conversions, all at various price points. This mix is what keeps the area from feeling manicured or sealed off.
Property in Hammersmith
Housing in Hammersmith can generally be split into two broad groups. One is the period homes made up of Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Hammersmith Grove, Luxemburg Gardens and Brackenbury Road. Some have been converted into flats, while others are still standing as full houses. Then there are the modern riverside developments such as Fulham Reach, Sovereign Court and Distillery Wharf, with purpose-built flats, concierge desks, gyms and balconies over the water.
A flat in Hammersmith will set you back roughly £750,000 on average, and houses tend to start north of £1.3 million, though the spread is wide depending on the street and condition. Rental demand stays consistently strong, driven partly by the corporate offices along the A4 and partly by international families drawn to the schools.
We work across Hammersmith and if you want a valuation that reflects the property market, book an expert valuation with Aspire.
Things to do in Hammersmith
Hammersmith has a strong arts and culture scene for a neighbourhood this size with the Art Deco Eventim Apollo, which is a Grade II*-listed concert hall built in 1932, taking centre stage. Queen, Bowie and Oasis have all played there, and the line-up still attracts big names in comedy and music. A few streets away, you will find the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. It runs a thriving programme of new writing, revivals and family shows while the rooftop garden café above it is a local hangout spot.
Riverside Studios, occupying a former Victorian ironworks by the water, doubles as an independent cinema and live performance venue. History-minded residents can also enjoy the William Morris Society at Kelmscott House which is the Upper Mall residence where the Arts and Crafts pioneer spent his final years. A few doors down you will discover Emery Walker's House which preserves what English Heritage calls the most intact Arts and Crafts interior in Britain.
Outdoors, the Thames Path winds west from Hammersmith Bridge through to Chiswick Mall, flat and scenic, passing boathouses and a string of riverside pubs. Hammersmith Bridge is still a landmark, and crowds gather on it each spring to watch the Boat Race pass underneath.
On Thursdays, Lyric Square hosts a street food market. Fridays bring the World Food Market, with a rotating selection of stalls doing dishes from around the globe.
Restaurants, pubs, and bars in Hammersmith
This is where Hammersmith really earns its reputation. The riverside pub crawl along the Upper Mall is one of the best in London. It begins at The Dove, a 17th-century pub where the poet James Thomson penned "Rule, Britannia!" The bar room to the right of the door holds a Guinness World Record as the smallest in the world. From The Dove, you move westward along the towpath to The Old Ship and The Blue Anchor. Slightly further along, The Rutland rounds out the crawl. Come summer, punters sit on the path with pints in hand, watching rowers and swans compete for river space.
The most renowned restaurant in the area is The River Cafe on Thames Wharf which is a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant from Ruth Rogers, and the kitchen that launched Jamie Oliver. Sam's Riverside offers thoughtful modern British plates with a view of the bridge. And in Brackenbury Village you will find Brackenbury Wine Rooms, a variety of independent bistros, and The Elder Press Café.
Parks and green spaces
Ravenscourt Park is the flagship green space made up of 33 acres of lawns, mature trees, a lake, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a walled garden. Furnivall Gardens, smaller and right on the Thames, is the locals' pick for watching the Boat Race while Brook Green offers floodlit tennis courts and a peaceful strip of grass surrounded by café-lined streets.
If you want a bigger escape, the London Wetland Centre in Barnes is a short bus ride across the river via Hammersmith Bridge.
Shopping in Hammersmith
Livat Hammersmith, referred to as Kings Mall by the locals, has been completely refashioned around an IKEA anchor and currently doubles as a retail-and-events space. Hammersmith Broadway Shopping Centre, just above the Tube station, handles the day-to-day: Boots, Sainsbury's, a Greggs, the usual. For something with more personality, Brackenbury Road has independent shops and delis, and the Hammersmith Farmers' Market fills Lyric Square every Thursday with organic produce and artisan bits.
Westfield London in Shepherd's Bush is ten minutes on the bus or a brisk twenty-minute walk. That proximity means Hammersmith residents get high-street and designer retail without having to brave the West End.
Schools and education
There are a number of good primary schools in the area, notably John Betts and Brackenbury. Both are well regarded with strong Ofsted results. St Peter's C of E Primary and West London Free School Primary are popular too, and competition for places at all four is stiff. At secondary level, West London Free School, Lady Margaret and Sacred Heart High School all perform above the national average; Hammersmith Academy is the local comprehensive.
The independent sector is where the area really stands out. Latymer Upper School and Godolphin & Latymer have long reputations, and St Paul's Girls' School, one of the highest-performing girls' schools in the country, sits at the boundary with Brook Green. The Ecole Française de Londres Jacques Prévert draws French-speaking families from across West London, adding to the international character of the neighbourhood.
Transport and connections
Hammersmith station is served by four Tube lines: Piccadilly, District, Circle, and Hammersmith & City. That's a direct run to Heathrow on the Piccadilly (about 40 minutes), Leicester Square in under 20, and Monument on the District in roughly half an hour. The bus station next door is one of the biggest in London, with 24-hour routes including the 10 to King's Cross and the 33 to Fulwell.
Driving, the A4 connects straight onto the M4, so Heathrow is a 30-minute run and the Thames Valley not much further. Cyclists get flat terrain, Santander Cycle docks scattered across the neighbourhood, and a ride to Piccadilly Circus that takes around 30 minutes if the lights cooperate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hammersmith a good place to live?
It is. Riverside setting, four Tube lines, strong schools, and a thriving pub and restaurant culture, all in Zone 2. Crime sits below the London average, and the broad range of housing means you get everyone from young professionals in studio flats to families in Victorian houses. That mix keeps the neighbourhood grounded.
Is Hammersmith safe?
By London standards, yes. The borough's crime statistics come in below the city-wide average, and the residential streets around Brackenbury Village, Ravenscourt Park, and Hammersmith Terrace are particularly quiet. Normal city awareness applies, but the overall feel is settled and low-risk.
What is the average house price in Hammersmith?
Flats sell for around £750,000 on average. Houses start at approximately £1.3 million and climb steeply for riverside properties or intact period homes. Rents vary by type and proximity to the water. For a figure specific to your property, talk to Aspire.
What areas are near Hammersmith?
Fulham to the south, Shepherd's Bush and Brook Green to the north, Chiswick to the west, Kensington to the east. Barnes is just across Hammersmith Bridge.
Looking to buy, sell, or rent in Hammersmith?
We have been helping people find homes across South West London since 2003, and Hammersmith is one of the areas we know best. Whether you're buying a first flat, listing a family house, or searching for a rental, our team will walk you through every step, from first viewing to exchange.
Book an expert valuation or find out more about our offices.
