The Evening Standard recently spotlighted Hammersmith as its latest hot area. According to the Evening Standard W6 is “one of the capital’s most sought-after postcodes. People tend to stay, so property is at a premium”.
Most neighbourhoods will either gives its residents the bustle and liveliness of crowds or the quiet and solitude of an entirely residential neighbourhood, but Hammersmith has two faces that offer its residents the best of both worlds.
Hammersmith is a busy centre with business at its heart. Coca-Cola, L’Oréal and Disney are just three international companies which are based in W6. Added to that, Hammersmith is West London’s busiest transport hub with people thronging through four different Zone 2 Tube lines (Hammersmith & City, District, Piccadilly, Circle Lines) as well as the busy bus station. Motorists crowd the streets of Hammersmith Broadway which gives them access to the M4.
Hammersmith High Street is therefore very busy indeed. Hammersmith Broadway is dominated by high street chains as is the King’s Mall shopping centres, but you will find more independent shops and restaurants along Shepherd’s Bush Road.
Hammersmith has a number of notable restaurants as well as lovely historic pubs, particularly appealing are those that line the Thames waterfront.
Entertainment is abundant in Hammersmith with the area serving as a centre for West London’s theatre and music scene. Hammersmith is home to the Lyric, Riverside Studios and the Bush for theatre; the Hammersmith Apollo, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, and the Bush Hall for music.
However, behind all of the this movement and bustle is Hammersmith’s quieter side. Residents can enjoy some beautiful green spaces, riverside walks, homely pubs, some of the capitals best private schools and streets full of period property. In fact, the back streets of Hammersmith have the feel of an affluent country town.
The feel of Hammersmith attracts single professionals and professional couples who are attracted to the ease of the many transport links in Hammersmith. Families tend to come and stay in W6 due to the high quality of the schools in the area. Many people grow to love the community feel of the area.
Parents tend to look to establish themselves in Hammersmith to take advantage of the great schools on offer. Three state primary schools are judged “outstanding” by the Government’s education watchdog, Ofsted: Brackenbury in Dalling Road, John Betts in Paddenswick Road, and St Peter’s in St Peter’s Road.
In addition there are two “outstanding” RC comprehensives: Sacred Heart (girls) in Hammersmith Road, which Tony Blair’s daughter Kathryn attended, and Cardinal Vaughan (boys, with girls in the sixth form) in Addison Road. Fulham Cross (girls 11 to 16) in Munster Road in nearby Fulham is also judged “outstanding”, as is William Morris, a sixth-form college, in St Dunstan’s Road.
For those parents who favour a private eductation no less than three of the capital’s top private schools are in Hammersmith: St Paul’s Girls’ (age 11 to18); Godolphin and Latymer (girls, age 11 to 18) and Latymer (mixed, age seven to 18). St Paul’s (boys 13 to 18) and its prep school Colet Court (boys age seven to 13) is across the river in Barnes. Bute House (girls age four to 11) is a popular girls’ prep school and Ravenscourt Park prep school (mixed, age four to 11) is non-selective.
Families will also seek out the green spaces in W6. Luckily in Hammersmith they will be spoilt for choice . One of the most lovely stretches of the Thames runs through to Chiswick, and Strand-on-the-Green. Ravenscourt Park is a much-loved local park with lots of winding pathways to explore with a small lake complete with an island, ducks, swans and geese. Should the kids fall foul of fowl there are 3 separate kids play areas, all with different activities including a zip wire, tyre swings and great climbing frames. Plus there is a huge paddling pool and a sandpit. There are dog-free, dog-specific and general areas. Basketball court, football pitch, tennis courts, and even a beautifully kept bowling green entertain the sporting sorts. For those who prefer quiet there is a walled scented garden with shaded benches. Added to that there is a garden centre and cafe. The park is easily accessible to Ravenscourt Park tube station.
Properties in Hammersmith are predominantly Victorian with some Georgian properties thrown into the period mix. Properties like this one bedroom conversion flat in the highly sought after Brackenbury Village area that Northfields has just sold (subject to contract) are typical of the area.
As is typical of W6, desirable properties like this, do sell quickly, so as a buyer you need to be prepared to offer and proceed in the sale quickly. As the Evening Standard article points out "Family houses in particular are much in demand. So few people are moving that we are now getting record prices for three- and four-bedroom homes, with several families chasing each house".
Of course, there is always the option to rent property in Hammersmith to decide if the likes of W6 is for you.
If you have a property to sell or let in Hammersmith, Northfieds would be happy to give you an up-to-date, no obligation valuation of your property. Call our office at 0208 740 8833 to schedule the most convenient time for you or request your valuation online by clicking the link.
