Hammersmith vs Shepherd's Bush

Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush are neighbouring west London hubs, both in the same borough and both with excellent transport. Each has four tube lines nearby and quick access to central London, and the two are a short walk or bus ride apart.

Their characters differ. Hammersmith has a busy but unlovely centre around the flyover and shopping centre, offset by one of London's loveliest riverside stretches, with rowing clubs and historic pubs along the Thames. Shepherd's Bush has a triangular green, Westfield London, the Shepherd's Bush Empire and the Bush Theatre, and White City's regeneration to the north. Both have a mix of Victorian terraces, mansion blocks and estates, so the character of an individual street matters as much as the neighbourhood name.

On safety and parks Hammersmith has the edge, thanks to the riverside and Ravenscourt Park, while Shepherd's Bush scores slightly higher for nightlife and is typically a little cheaper. Shepherd's Bush's Central line is the fastest route to Oxford Circus and the West End; Hammersmith's Piccadilly line runs straight to Heathrow, and its District line reaches Westminster and the City.

For anyone who flies often, Hammersmith's direct Piccadilly line to Heathrow and its riverside walks are hard to beat, and its residential streets feel calmer. For anyone whose office is in the West End, Shepherd's Bush's Central line is the quicker ride, the rent is usually a little lower, and Westfield and the Empire mean there is always something to do on a wet evening.