Hammersmith Park

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

Remember the Japan–British Exhibition of 1910? That’s where the story of Hammersmith Park truly begins. This park holds more than just greenery. It holds echoes of international exhibitions and a unique Japanese garden. Many locals call it “The BBC Park”. However Hammersmith Park sits in Shepherd’s Bush, not Hammersmith.

The Great White City area first hosted the 1908 Summer Olympics. Afterward it became a venue for international exhibitions until World War I. The 1910 Japan–British Exhibition left a lasting mark. The exhibition covered 140 acres. A staggering 8 million people visited over six months.

Two Japanese Gardens were specially created. The Garden of Peace stood where Hammersmith Park is today. Sadly little of the original exhibition remains. However the Chokushimon gateway survives. This four-fifths replica of Kyoto’s Karamon now resides in Kew Gardens. It was moved there in 1911.

Fast forward to the 1950s. Hammersmith Park began to take its current form. Tennis courts and a playground appeared in November 1954. The rest of the park opened in September 1955. Today the Garden of Peace remains a central feature. It was lovingly restored in 2008.

Bamboo and pagoda trees surround the garden. Two ponds connect via a stone bridge. Rocks create a small waterfall. Remarkably some plants and trees from the 1909 Japan exhibition still thrive here.

In 2013 some changes were proposed. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham planned to replace sports facilities. Football pitches would be installed and run by Play Football. Despite local opposition the plans went ahead.

In 2018 there was good news. The Japan Society and the Japanese Embassy stepped in. With the help of local and Japanese businesses they added a Japanese gateway. They also created an avenue of traditional stone lanterns.

Hammersmith Park’s Japanese Garden gained recognition in 2020. It ranked number nine in London’s “Tranquility Index”. This shows its enduring appeal as a peaceful escape. Hammersmith Park is more than just a park. It is a living piece of history. It blends international heritage with local recreation. Take a moment to appreciate its unique story.

Learning about Hammersmith Park in London is only the beginning of your adventure. Explory helps you go further with a powerful digital guide that transforms every walk into an experience. Using our intuitive city guide, you can easily connect stories with locations, creating your own city tour while enjoying London at your own rhythm. Explory’s goal is to make your trip unforgettable. Our guide combines storytelling with orientation, giving you the chance to uncover the rich layers of London. Thanks to the integrated audio guide, you can listen to fascinating narratives while exploring the streets. Beyond the well-known attractions, Explory highlights hidden gems and secret corners that make the city truly unique. With the city guide, you’ll gain insights and flexibility. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular traveler, the app offers exploration on your terms. Each curated city tour blends local culture, history, and atmosphere into one seamless experience. The emphasis on exploration ensures you won’t just see London, but actually connect with it. And because our content reveals hidden gems, you’ll always discover something new. Expand your journey by downloading the Explory App. Explore over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories, all accessible from your phone. Whether you need a trusted guide, a flexible audio guide, or a structured city tour, Explory offers everything in one place. Start your adventure today and explore London like never before with Explory.

More Places in London

Southfields Methodist Church

Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service

Explore

Old Shoreditch Station

Was Old Shoreditch Station always so quiet? You’d hardly believe it now, but this unassuming spot was once a bustling

Explore

The South Harrow Baptist Church

“That we view with satisfaction the formation of a Baptist Church at South Harrow and pray that God’s riches blessing

Explore

Roger Vivier

Creator of the famous Aiguille stiletto heel. We’re standing before one of the only two Roger Vivier boutiques in the

Explore

White City Estate

How about a journey back to the late 1930s? The story of White City Estate begins here. The London County

Explore

And still I rise Sculpture

A timeless woman stands before you. Her gaze is unwavering. This is “And Still I Rise” a sculpture in London.

Explore

Broad Street

Standing here before Broad Street, can you hear the echoes of London’s financial history? This street pulses with tales of

Explore

Wandsworth Common

“Fancy a bit of countryside in the city?” That’s what they say about Wandsworth Common. This isn’t just another park.

Explore

Lambeth Bridge

Across the Thames stands Lambeth Bridge a majestic structure. Its story begins long before its current form. A horse ferry

Explore