Place Name
Directional, this is the northern side approach road to Hammersmith Bridge. The was laid out at roughly the same time the bridge – a replacement for the previous suspension bridge – was built in 1827. The origins of the name Hammersmith are uncertain. It was first recorded in 1294 as Hammersmyth (it went through various spellings including Hameresmithe in 1312, Hamyrsmyth (1535) before taking the present spelling in 1675). It is thought to come from the Old English words hamor and smiththe, suggesting this was a place with a hammer smithy or forge and so an area important for metal working – quite some advertising. Others however believe it derives from Hammoder’s Hythe, meaning a safe haven or a landing place belonging to Hammoder. This was the original Great West Road to Brentford.
