Hammersmith and Fulham is a London borough in West London. Famed for its historic terraces, community spirit and unique architecture, this has been attracting a great deal of affluent tourists. Visitors to Hammersmith and Fulham are also spoiled with an array of activities, whether it is entertainment, shopping, visiting, or eating, this place will surely have something for everyone.

1. What makes Hammersmith and Fulham unique?
2. Hammersmith and Fulham's popular attractions
3. Nightlife in Hammersmith and Fulham
4. Sports in Hammersmith and Fulham
5. Food in Hammersmith and Fulham
6. Shopping Centres and Markets in Hammersmith and Fulham
7. Festivals and events in Hammersmith and Fulham
8. Travel in and around Hammersmith and Fulham
9. Explore Nearby Boroughs from Hammersmith and Fulham

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1. What makes Hammersmith and Fulham unique?

Did you know? The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham was formed in 1965 out of the districts of Hammersmith, Fulham, and Shepherd’s Bush. All three have had very interesting histories, with Fulham having been around since the 12th Century, Hammersmith hosting one of the early Olympic Games, and Shepherd’s Bush being home to the BBC Television Service for decades.

Aside from its cultural and historical heritage, Hammerismith and Fulham also offers a pocket of West London superb selection of restaurants for discerning diners, ranging from high-end or fine dining eateries to high-street favourites.

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2. Hammersmith and Fulham's popular attractions

• 18 Stafford Terrace. A perfect example of a Victorian townhome that provides insight into how a Victorian family lived in the past.
• Olympia London. A Victorian exhibit hall that still holds events today.
• Irish Cultural Center. The Center contains a bit of everything including history and the arts as well as hosting regular events including concerts, storytelling, and lectures.
• Shepherd Bush’s Empire. One of the area’s many great performance venues, built in 1903 where you can see many different performances from acapella to punk.
• BBC Television Centre. Home to many of the country’s favorite programmes from Blue Peter to Doctor Who.
• Bishops Park. Opened in 1893, this park has maintained a reputation as one of the finest parks in the borough.
• Hammersmith Apollo. This performing arts venue is Grade II listed. Opening in 1932 and displaying some fantastic art deco designs, the Apollo has seen everything from classic rock concerts by Buddy Holly to the comedy stylings of Chris Tucker.
• Fulham Palace. A Grade I listed structure that was known for many years as the home of the Bishop of London, the head of the London Diocese.
• Emery Walker’s House. An enthralling time capsule of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
• WWT London Wetland Centre. Cross the Hammersmith Bridge to Barnes and you’ll soon come to a 100-acre nature reserve on the site of four former Victorian reservoirs.
• Hammersmith Bridge. Designed by the notable Victorian engineer Joseph Bazalgette, it opened in June 1887 and is a Grade II monument.

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3. Nightlife in Hammersmith and Fulham

With its plot by the Thames, Hammersmith is a prime West London location for drinks in the city away from the bustle of its heart. From lavish gastro pubs and hearty eateries, to cocktail bars that boast some of the very best happy hours in the city, it's a location that provides the thirsty with a backdrop of all things leafy.

Whether you are looking to fill up on gastro goodies or you simply just fancy a few alfresco drinks, Blue Boat is the perfect place for you. Here, you will be offered a menu of amazing British classics with plenty of drinks, stunning Thames views and quirky maritime decor.

There is also Dove, an undeniable charming bar with a rich history that dates back across centuries. Perfectly perched by the River Thames, this place is an essential venture for people who are craving for good food, a thirst-quenching pint and good time by the beautiful riverside.

A beautiful date night spot in the heart of Brook Green, The Bird in The Hand has been lovingly restored to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Here, you can feast on a selection of high-quality small plates and handmade pizzas before exploring their huge cocktail offering.

For all-round stars of a hefty happy hour, creative concoctions and a fun party atmosphere, Be At One is one of Hammersmith’s best bars. This is a definitely a must-visit place for that non-stop party vibes until late, fuelled by an extensive range of affordable signature cocktails.

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4. Sports in Hammersmith and Fulham

Chelsea Football Club is based in the borough and plays Premier League football having won the English national championship on six occasions (1955, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2017) as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2012. London’s oldest professional football club, Fulham F.C. (playing in the Premier League) and Queens Park Rangers (playing in the Championship) are also based in the borough.

Other state-of-the-art facilities open to the public include:

• Charing Cross Sports Club
• Hammersmith Fitness and Squash Centre
• Lillie Road Fitness Centre
• Kensington Leisure Centre
• Chelsea Sports Centre
• Linford Christie Outdoor Sports Centre
• Phoenix Fitness Centre & Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool

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5. Food in Hammersmith and Fulham

This pocket of West London has a suburb selection of restaurants for discerning diners, ranging from high-end eateries to high-street favourites. The areas surrounding Hammersmith station and Fulham Broadway are hubs for local restaurants and an amazing nightlife, with highlights including gourmet gastropub The Harwood Arms, authentic pizzas from Pappa Ciccia, and Spanish tapas from Los Molinos, as well as failsafe options such as Wagamama, Byron Burger and Eat Tokyo.

Perched at the zenith of London-based fish and chippery, this branch of scrubbed-up Kerbisher & Malt goes an extra mile for its loyal Brook Green customers. High-quality fillets are freshly dunked in floaty-light batter, chips are double-fried, the rich tartare sauce is made in-house, and the onion rings are pickled, adding an appealing vinegary tang.

Many Iranian restaurants are also striving to emulate the informality of the dinner parties where a lot of their national cuisines is served. Not so with Mahdi, a sprawling space exotically festooned with carved wood, embroidered fabrics and even a stuffed peacock in one corner. To eat, bypass Western dishes such as chicken Caesar salad in favour of authentic meze, grills, kebabs, rice and stews. Not to mention, the portions here are humongous.

Aside from all the dining experience, Hammersmith is also moving into the fast lane with many on-trend Parisian bakery/patisserie/café. Retro-patterned wallpaper and lime-coloured walls set the scene, and there are a few tables inside if you want to eat in. Top-rate crusty baguettes and soft milk breads host life-affirming fillings, while the patisserie includes the best tarte aux pommes you’ve tasted in London.

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6. Shopping Centres and Markets in Hammersmith and Fulham

Shopping in Hammersmith and Fulham is every shopper's dream and should definitely be on your bucket list. Here, you will get everything from designer fashion, to antique fashion boutiques which also make it a wonderful location for you to take casual strolls.

For anyone seeking an exclusive luxurious shopping spree, a visit to the largely centered giant Westfield shopping centre, which covers a staggering 150,000 square metres and offers 255 shops ranging from high-end designer brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci to popular branches of M&S and House of Fraser.

For those seeking a bargain, Shepherd's Bush Market is just a short walk away, while Fulham Broadway is home to its own shopping centre with the likes of Paperchase, Boots and Accessorize, as well as boutiques brands like Sweaty Betty, Oliver Bonas and Candy Kittens on surrounding streets. The Shepherd’s Bush Market has been around since the early 20th century and has resisted any attempts to develop the area of bringing in newer commercial buildings, making it a perfectly preserved piece of London culture.

There are also other major supermarket chains that can be found in Hammersmith and Fulham, including large branches of Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, while international produce can be found at Asian Grocery Supplies on Fulham Palace Road. The area also boasts a wide range of local delicatessens, butchers shops and fishmongers, such as Barley & Sage on New King’s Road, Stenton Family Butchers on Aldensey Road and The Fishmonger’s Kitchen on Shepherds Bush Road.

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7. Festivals and events in Hammersmith and Fulham

Hammersmith and Fulham has a number of wide-ranging festivals and events throughout the year, including:

• Hammersmith and Fulham Arts Festival. An inclusive, open arts event for all, with over 100 Arts Partners and 200 events from performing arts to literature, visual arts and film.
• Greenfest West London. A festival to promote environmental and community groups in a beautiful setting beside the Thames.
• Shakespeare In The Square. The Festival Players perform Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice in the beautiful St. Peter’s Square.
• Men’s Boat Race. A rowing event contested by the boat clubs of Cambridge and Oxford University since 1829.
• Queen’s Club Championships. One of the world’s oldest tennis championships is held at the private Queen’s Club in West Kensington in mid-June.

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8. Travel in and around Hammersmith and Fulham

Work places, schools, residential developments and places of worship in this borough all adhere to travel plans, which encourage people to use sustainable transport to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

Apart from the benefits of improved health and a better corporate image, Transport for London (TfL) can help with funding and with sustainable transport at your site to help you meet your targets.

London Overground

The London Overground connects the borough with the North London Line via Willesden Junction Station and directly serves Watford to the north and East Croydon to the south, via Clapham Junction railways station.

London Underground

Hammersmith & Fulham is served by several London Underground lines: the District, Piccadilly, Central and Hammersmith & City. Heathrow is only 30 mins west of Hammersmith and the West End is only a short tube ride away.

By Bus

Two main road arteries, the A4 road and the A40 road cross the borough. Hammersmith bus station at Hammersmith Broadway, above the District and Piccadilly lines tube station, is an important bus hub to reach many parts of London.

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9. Explore Nearby Boroughs from Hammersmith and Fulham

Hammersmith and Fulham is an ideal base for you to start exploring the rest of London’s unique boroughs. Even though it is all a part of the same ceremonial county, Greater London, each district withhold different traditions and cultural heritage that is just worth exploring. From an array of iconic attractions, historic landmarks to stunning countryside, you are just a short ride away.

Brent

Located in the north-west region of London, Brent is a fantastic place to visit with a variety of activities and commutes. Famed for being home to Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, Wembley, this buzzing borough also boasts some top shopping and cultural attractions with easily reachable transportation links from the West End via the Bakerloo and Jubilee lines.

Ealing

Located in the west of London, Ealing is known for its major suburban districts. Prior to the 20th century, Ealing had been undergoing immense improvements, especially in its commercial and retail centres and its night-time economy. With this, Ealing was able to significantly expand and increase in population, becoming a municipal borough in 1901 and forming a part of the county, Greater London in 1965.

Being in Ealing will also get you to experience the best of both worlds, from the exquisite landmarks of the ancient parish to the bustling sceneries of the city centre, commercial and retail districts. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who is seeking a family getaway or even a tourist trip to London.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

With just a 12-minute car drive, Kensington and Chelsea is an area of historic and architectural interest. Renowned for its beautiful residential streets and squares, it covers five square miles and boasts many embassies and London landmarks. 70 percent of this borough is in conservation areas.

Kensington's royal borough status was granted in 1901 as it was the home of Kensington Palace, where Queen Victoria was born in 1819 and lived until her accession in 1837. This being said, Kensington is one of the most affluent, posh and sophisticated areas of central London. It is an elegant but densely populated area, making it perfect for a Sunday walk or a trip with friends to take on a more bustling atmosphere.