Children's social workers - All about the borough

Hammersmith & Fulham is a vibrant place to live and work with a diverse community and rich cultural heritage.

Being part of inner London means it is within easy access of all the cultural and entertainment opportunities that are available in the city. The number of parks coupled with the attractive Thames-side cycle-route and pathways which run continuously along the southern side of the borough ensure that Hammersmith & Fulham has a quiet and relaxed feel despite its dynamism and proximity to the centre of London.

In and around Hammersmith & Fulham Arts, sport and leisure - the borough is made up of three main communities: Hammersmith, Fulham and Shepherds Bush - each offering a diverse mixture of shopping and leisure facilities. The borough enjoys an excellent reputation for the arts and entertainment.

The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith is renowned for its innovative productions, which often transfer to further success in the West End. The Bush Theatre situated on Shepherds Bush Green is an internationally renowned producer of new drama, bringing to Londoners the best in home-grown and international talent. The Hammersmith Apollo enjoys a national reputation.

As well as touring acts, it has presented musicals, Riverdance and even a season by the Royal Ballet.Riverside Studios with its theatre, art gallery and independent cinema hosts an exciting arts programme. The Shepherds Bush Empire is a world famous music venue, artists and bands who have played gigs there include: Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Violent Femmes, Amy Winehouse and Ricard Hawley. Studio recordings at the BBC Television Centre based in Shepherds Bush often have free tickets available.

In the evenings and at weekends the borough comes alive with an eclectic mix of pubs, clubs and restaurants. You’ll be able to eat your way around the globe with restaurants ranging from traditional English to French bistros, Greek tavernas, sushi and tapas bars.

The range available means that there is something to suit every occasion. There are bars and pubs for all occasions too, with many boasting riverside views. You can put on your school uniform and dance the night away at the School Disco on Saturday nights at the Hammersmith Palais.

Olympia Exhibition Centre, one of the largest and best known exhibition centres in the UK is situated in the borough. Work is underway on a massive regeneration development in White City which will combine shopping and leisure facilities and is due for completion in 2009. 

For sports fans, Hammersmith & Fulham is home to three football clubs – Chelsea, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers. One of the borough’s oldest sporting traditions is the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race when huge crowds watch the two universities battle it out over the four mile course between Putney Bridge and Mortlake. The Queen’s Club hosts the pre-Wimbledon tennis tournament, where every year the big names get their eye in on grass courts. The newly refurbished Linford Christie Stadium re-opened in September 2005 and is home to Thames Valley Harriers athletics club. There are a large number of private gyms and leisure centres throughout the borough, some of these offer discounts to Hammersmith & Fulham employees.