Hammersmith

Hammersmith is one of those west London stations that does several things simultaneously and does all of them reasonably well. It is a transport hub -three Underground lines converge here, making it a major interchange point for west London journeys. It is a cultural venue -the Eventim Apollo (historically Hammersmith Odeon, Hammersmith Palais, Carling Hammersmith Apollo) is one of Britain's most beloved mid-size concert halls, with a history of performances by every significant artist of the past 70 years. And it is a town centre -the Hammersmith Broadway area has shops, cafes and restaurants, and the Thames riverside to the south gives access to one of London's best towpath walks toward Chiswick.

For anyone heading to Heathrow from west or central London, Hammersmith is also significant: the Piccadilly line from Hammersmith continues directly to Heathrow Terminals 2/3 and 5, making this a useful departure point for airport journeys.

Station Overview

Hammersmith has two adjacent stations serving different lines. The Hammersmith (District and Piccadilly) station serves the District and Piccadilly lines on one side of King Street. The Hammersmith (Circle and Hammersmith & City) station -a separate building a short walk away -is the western terminus of the Circle line and serves the Hammersmith & City line. Both stations are in Zone 2. The separation can cause confusion -signage is clear but allow a few extra minutes if changing between these lines at Hammersmith.

Lines and Connectivity

The Piccadilly line (dark blue) at Hammersmith connects directly to Heathrow Airport -Terminals 2 & 3 in approximately 30 minutes, Terminal 5 in 35 minutes. Going east, the Piccadilly line serves Barons Court, Earl's Court, South Kensington, Knightsbridge and central London. For Heathrow, Hammersmith is one of the most westerly practical Piccadilly line departure points.

The District line (green) connects east toward Earl's Court, Victoria and beyond, and west to the Turnham Green, Gunnersbury and Richmond branches. Richmond -one of London's most attractive riverside towns -is 15 minutes west on the District line.

The Circle and Hammersmith & City lines (yellow and pink) at the second station connect east through Paddington, King's Cross and around the Circle loop to Liverpool Street and the City.

Eventim Apollo

The Eventim Apollo (Queen Caroline Street, 3 minutes walk from the station) opened in 1932 as the Hammersmith Palais de Danse and has hosted performances of extraordinary range: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bob Marley, Madonna, Radiohead and hundreds of other significant artists. The building is an Art Deco masterpiece -the ornate interior with its gilded plasterwork and atmospheric lighting has been preserved through multiple refits and is one of the finest concert hall interiors in Britain. Capacity approximately 5,000. Check listings; shows sell out quickly.

Thames Riverside

The Thames at Hammersmith is a 10-minute walk south from the station through residential streets. The riverside at Hammersmith is known for its collection of Victorian and Edwardian pubs and riverside restaurants -the Blue Anchor, the Dove and the Black Lion all face the water and have been serving drinks here for centuries. The Thames towpath from Hammersmith toward Chiswick is one of the best riverside walks in outer London, passing Chiswick House gardens and reaching the medieval village of Chiswick in about 40 minutes.

Facilities

Hammersmith station has toilets, TfL Wi-Fi, shops and cafes within the Hammersmith Broadway shopping centre which is directly adjacent. The wider Broadway area has a good selection of cafes, restaurants and retail. The Lyric Theatre -a well-regarded fringe and regional theatre on the Broadway -is 2 minutes from the station.

Accessibility

The Hammersmith District/Piccadilly station has step-free access. The Hammersmith Circle/Hammersmith & City station also has step-free access. Both are accessible from street level via lifts. Staff assistance is available.

Travel Tips

• For Heathrow Airport, the Piccadilly line from Hammersmith is direct -no changes required. The journey takes approximately 30-35 minutes depending on terminal. Confirm which terminal your airline uses before travelling.
• The Eventim Apollo stages major concerts throughout the year. The sound quality and sightlines are excellent from almost every position in the hall. Check listings at eventimapollolondon.co.uk.
• The Thames walk toward Chiswick (south from the station, then east along the towpath) takes 40 minutes and passes Chiswick House, the Fuller's Brewery (tours available) and multiple riverside pubs. One of the best walks in outer west London.
• Do not confuse the two Hammersmith stations when changing lines -the District/Piccadilly station and the Circle/H&C station are separate buildings a few minutes walk apart.
• Westfield London in Shepherd's Bush is 2 minutes east on the Circle/H&C line -the UK's largest urban shopping centre.

Nearby Attractions

Eventim Apollo -3 minutes walk on Queen Caroline Street. Major live music venue in an Art Deco building. One of Britain's best concert halls for atmosphere and sound quality.

Thames riverside pubs -10 minutes walk south. The Dove, Blue Anchor and Black Lion are Victorian riverside pubs with Thames views. The Dove claims to be the smallest pub in Britain.

Lyric Theatre Hammersmith -2 minutes walk on the Broadway. Well-regarded producing theatre staging new writing and classic revivals. Often an excellent off-West-End option.

Chiswick (via towpath) -40 minutes walk east along the river. Chiswick House gardens (English Heritage, admission charged), Hogarth's House (free) and the riverside village are all accessible.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Hammersmith Underground operates approximately 05:30 to midnight Monday to Saturday and 07:00 to 23:30 on Sunday. The Piccadilly line has Night Tube on Friday and Saturday nights. Concert nights at the Eventim Apollo create significant crowds at the station in the hour after shows end (typically 22:30-23:30) -allow extra time if catching late-night transport after a show.