Hammersmith is a lively neighbourhood in West London with a little bit of everything to keep you busy, no matter whether you’re into art, food or the outdoors. With the River Thames running through and universities close by, you can enjoy scenic walks to campus and waterside hangouts.

Hammersmith is also home to some of the best entertainment venues and eateries in the city. You can catch a show at the Lyric Theatre or grab a bite to eat at the Hammersmith Street Market. For everything else, King Street is the main shopping stretch with loads of high-street stores, cafes and restaurants only a short walk away. Check out our guide on the Best Things to Do in Hammersmith here.   

If arts and culture are your thing, you’re in the right place. Hammersmith’s iconic Eventim Apollo is only 5 minutes down the road from Scape with regular comedy and live music events.

If you’re into theatre, Lyric Hammersmith has productions all year round from musicals and plays to panto. Their rooftop garden has a cosy bar with lovely views and there are lots of pre-theatre dining options close by so you can make a day of it. For Art and history lovers, The William Morris Society along the riverside is a must. You’ll find many local galleries and pop-ups sin the area so there’s always something new to discover. 

You’ll find great places to eat anywhere you turn. Hammersmith’s King Street is packed full of cosy pubs and restaurants serving up food from all over the world. For a bite along the riverside, head to The Blue Anchor or The Dove which dates back to the 18^th century and enjoy all the usual British favourites. The views are a bonus!

If you’re after some street food, Hammersmith has a rotating market in Lyric Square with a bunch of tasty things to try, from handmade pasta and falafels to crepes and cakes. For a coffee break, Gails Bakery and Riverside Studios café are popular spots for your daily fix.  Just take a wander around and you’ll find something delicious to sink your teeth into. 

If ‘shop till you drop’ sounds like you, you won’t be disappointed. Hammersmith has loads of stores close by where you can pick up everyday essentials, update your wardrobe or style your student room. King Street is full of quirky boutiques and high-street stores like H&M and Marks & Spencer. There’s a Boots, Tesco and beauty store at Hammersmith Broadway to tick off the basics, along with a whole bunch of cafes.

Don’t forget, the largest shopping centre in Europe, Westfield London is only a quick bus or tube ride away with over 300 stores ranging from budget-friendly to bougie.  

Hammersmith has loads to offer if you’re feeling outdoorsy. Follow the Thames Path for scenic riverside walks. There are benches where you can relax with a book or admire views over the city skyline and lots of friendly dog walkers to greet along the way.

Ravenscourt Park is also a popular local hangout with wide-open green spaces and a café, ideal for a picnic with friends or outdoor workout. Queens tennis club is close by too, best known for hosting the Men’s warm up for Wimbledon, and if you’re lucky you can catch a glimpse of the annual Boat Race that takes place between Oxford and Cambridge each spring from the Hammersmith riverside. Elsewhere, Barnes Wetland Centre and Chiswick House and Gardens are well worth a visit only a short while away.  

Living in Zone 2, you won’t have any complaints about your commute to campus. It’s easy to get to most universities in London, so no need to wake up extra early to make it to class. Imperial College is close (only 20-min by tube) along with UCL, Westminster and UWL less than 35-min from Scape. You can also hop on a quick bike or bus and get to Roehampton University across the Thames.  

Studying somewhere else? There are fast transport links to take you to your campus. Check out your travel times here.  

Scape is only a short walk to Hammersmith Station, meaning you can hop on the tube to go almost anywhere in London quickly. You’ll have easy access to the Hammersmith & City, Piccadilly, District and Circle lines so your commute to university will be a breeze. There’s also lots of bus stops close by connecting you to neighbourhoods like Notting Hill, along with dedicated cycling paths. Don’t worry if you don’t own a bike, you can find Santander Cycles and Lime Bikes close by. 

For term holidays or to visit your friends and family, you can get to Kings Cross St Pancras station in under 30 mins, with direct train links across the UK and Europe. It’s also less than an hour to Heathrow or Gatwick airports if you’re going by plane.