Description
Hammersmith Flyover was constructed in the 1960s, designed by B Rawlinson of the LCC. As it is only four lanes wide it was possible to cantilever it from a single support. Its construction involved the demolition of a number of buildings including St Paul's National School in Waterloo Street. The land remaining after the construction has been laid down to grass and planted with trees. The open space and the grace of the design of the flyover result in a remarkably open feeling to the area.
Practical Information
| Site location | Great West Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W6 |
| What3Words | ///risky.allow.next |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Partially |
| Opening Times | No access to central area, but roadside areas unfenced |
| Public Transport | Tube: Hammersmith (Piccadilly, District, Hammersmith & City). Bus: 9, 10, 33, 209, 211, 419. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
A proposed realignment of the access from Hammersmith to the Great West Road will entail landscaping the planted island. The overall amount of planted area will be increased slightly.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ235784 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.27 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Site Management | Environment Department, Parks Service (ground maintenance by Quadron Services) |
| Dates | 1962 |
| Designers | B Rawlinson (LCC) |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes |
| Other LA Designation | SPA: Site 17 Hammersmith Central Park TN 11 EN 23 |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The main entrance to this 1970s hotel is on the first floor. The Novotel Hotel Podium is a large paved area to the north of the main building that has a number of rectangular raised beds planted with evergreen perenials. There is also tree planting at ground level along Shortlands and Kings Road.
Margravine Cemetery was founded as Hammersmith Cemetery in 1869. It later became known as Hammersmith Old Cemetery when Mortlake Cemetery was opened. north lodge and two chapels, one of which was demolished in 1939 and its position is marked by shrubbery. The cemetery retains its original walls and gateway from Margravine Gardens, and once had two chapels; its octagonal mortuary is now a store. The layout consists of a simple axial drive and turning circle from the west entrance and planting within the cemetery is largely deciduous trees.
St Paul's Gardens are a vestige of the former grounds of St Paul's School for Boys, initially founded in the City of London in 1509, which was established in Hammersmith in 1884 until it moved to Barnes in 1968. The former boundary walls and a circular garden building remain from its earlier use, and there are a number of fine trees in the garden. On one of the gate piers is a plaque erected by Hammersmith & Fulham Historic Buildings Group in 2009 that relates to the D-Day Landing in June 1944.