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History of Hammersmith
Hammersmith was primarily a rural area until the mid 19th century. With the arrival of rail and tube lines compounded by the growing UK population and the industrial revolution, Hammersmith rapidly became a residential area as well as an industrial area. Today, it continues to combine the residential with business but factories have been replaced by offices of huge corporations like Coca Cola or L’Oréal. The area has excellent transport links, easy access to Heathrow by car and town with the A4 (not recommended during the rush hour!).
There are excellent shopping facilities in the area (The Broadway) and apart from a good choice of bars and restaurants; it has some excellent theatres/art centres with the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Riverside Studios (cinema/theatre/performances/exhibitions) and the Hammersmith Apollo. It is interesting to note the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre was demolished but the inside was completely preserved and rebuilt while the shell is now a modern building making it an interesting experience when going to a performance there. Although for many, it will be a place one commutes through driving in or out of London, Hammersmith is a desirable and more affordable area with much entertainment on its doorstep, unlike other areas away from the centre which can be limited in choice for arts and entertainment.
Although there is nothing left of the original Hammersmith Village, the Dove Pub is one feature which managed to survive. It is one of London’s oldest riverside pubs and dates from the 17th century. It is also famed for having people like Graham Greene and Ernest Hemingway drink there while William Morris lived next door in the19th century.
Properties range from flat conversions, new build and garden Victorian town houses.
Places of interest
• Hammersmith Bridge (First suspension bridge over the Thames) • Hammersmith Apollo • Riverside Studios • Lyric Hammersmith Theatre • Dove Pub
Transport Links – Visit Transport for London for more information
Ravens Court – District and Piccadilly Lines
Hammersmith – Piccadilly, District and Hammersmith & City Lines
Local Authority
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham – http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/
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