West Hampstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Hampstead |
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 West Hampstead
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| Population | 33,751 |
| OS grid reference | TQ255855 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | NW6 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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West Hampstead is a lively area in north-west London, found within the London Borough of Camden. It's mostly known for its three train stations, all called West Hampstead. The area sits between other parts of London like Childs Hill to the north and Kilburn to the west.
West Hampstead is mainly a place where people live. You'll find many small shops, restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. These are mostly located on the northern part of West End Lane and around West End Green. It's easy to get around thanks to the Jubilee line tube station, the Overground station, and the Thameslink station. The area is part of the Kilburn postal district, known as NW6.
Contents
Discovering West Hampstead's Past
How West Hampstead Got Its Name
Long ago, in the 1200s, this area was called "le Rudyng." This name meant a clearing in a forest. By 1534, it was known as West End. It got this name because it was the "west end" of a larger piece of land. This land belonged to a place called Kilburn Priory.
People might have lived here even before 1244. By 1646, there was definitely a house on the land. The main road, West End Lane, was named in 1644. It still has sharp bends at its north and south ends. This is because the lane used to be the border between different land estates.
Growing into a Community
By the early 1600s, a few houses were built here. In the mid-1600s, rich London merchants started building bigger homes. By 1800, West End was a small village. It had about 20 to 30 houses and cottages. These were set in parkland, mostly west of West End Lane.
The road, West End Lane, was changed to be straighter and further west. In 1851, most people living here were farm workers, gardeners, and craftspeople. There were also shopkeepers, a school teacher, and some wealthy families. Three big houses stood out: West End House, West End Hall, and Lauriston Lodge.
The Arrival of Railways
West Hampstead really started to change when three railway lines were built. The first was the Hampstead Junction Railway in 1857. Then came the Midland line in 1868. Finally, the Metropolitan & St. John's Wood line opened in 1879.
The Metropolitan line named its station on West End Lane "West Hampstead." This name then became popular for the whole area. The biggest growth happened in the 15 years after this station opened. Farmland and parks were turned into housing estates. In 1897, more building started on the east side of West End Lane. This is where the three large houses, West End Hall, Canterbury House, and Treherne House, used to be.
Famous Places and Buildings to See
West Hampstead has many interesting buildings and sites with cool stories.
- Emmanuel Church: This Anglican church opened in 1903. You can find it on the corner of Lyncroft Gardens.
- Hampstead Cemetery: This cemetery opened in 1876 on Fortune Green Road.
- Hampstead Cricket Club: The cricket club moved to Lymington Road in 1877.
- Hampstead Synagogue: This synagogue opened in 1892. It was built where a large house called Lauriston Lodge once stood.
- Lilian Baylis House: Located at 165 Broadhurst Gardens, this building opened in the 1880s. It was first a workshop for tradespeople. Later, it became a place for concerts and meetings, called West Hampstead Town Hall. In 1928, a company called Crystalate took it over. They made records there. In 1937, Decca Records took over. This building became Decca Studios until 1980. Many famous artists recorded there, like David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. Interestingly, the Beatles had an audition there on January 1, 1962, but they didn't get signed that day! Today, the English National Opera uses it for rehearsals.
- The Railway Hotel: This hotel was built in 1881. It's on the corner of West End Lane and Broadhurst Gardens. From 1961 to 1970, it was home to Klooks Kleek. This was a famous club for jazz and rhythm & blues music. Big names like Cream, Ten Years After, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Guy, and Rod Stewart played there. A live album by John Mayall was even recorded there in 1964. They ran cables out of the window to Decca Studios next door!
- St. James Church: This church on Sherriff Road is special. It was the first church in the UK to have a main post office and a community center inside. This center is called the Sheriff Centre.
- West Hampstead Fire Station: This fire station opened in 1901 and is still working today. It responds to over 2,000 emergency calls each year. Its service area covers about 12 square miles (31 km2). This includes West Hampstead and nearby areas like Hampstead and Kilburn.
Getting Around West Hampstead: Transport Links
West Hampstead is very well connected! It has three train stations, all with the same name, very close to each other. There are also other tube stations nearby and many bus routes.
- Tube (Underground): You can use the West Hampstead tube station on the Jubilee line. Close by is Finchley Road tube station, which has both the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines.
- Trains: The West Hampstead Thameslink station is part of the Thameslink route that goes across London. There's also the West Hampstead Overground station on the North London Line.
- Buses: Many bus routes pass through West Hampstead. These include 13, 113, 139, 189, 328, C11, and N113.
Famous People Who Lived Here
West Hampstead has been home to many interesting people! You can find four special blue plaques here. These plaques are put up by English Heritage to show where famous people lived.
The plaques mark the homes of:
- David Bomberg: A painter, at 10 Fordwych Road.
- Sir Adrian Boult: A famous music conductor, at 78 Marlborough Mansions.
- Alfred Harmsworth: A newspaper owner, at 31 Pandora Road.
- Dame Ida Mann: An eye doctor, at 13 Minster Road.
Other Well-Known Residents
Many other famous people have lived in West Hampstead, including:
- Gerry Anderson – a producer and writer (known for Thunderbirds)
- Joan Armatrading – a singer and musician
- Dirk Bogarde – an actor
- Jim Carter – an actor (known from Downton Abbey)
- Gus Dudgeon – a record producer
- Steven Finn – a cricket player for England
- Stephen Fry – an actor and TV presenter
- Angela Griffin – an actress
- Derek Jacobi – an actor
- Chaka Khan – a singer
- Doris Lessing – an author
- Dua Lipa – a singer and songwriter
- Matt Lucas – a comedian and actor
- Bill Nighy – an actor
- Slash – a guitarist (from Guns N' Roses)
- Dusty Springfield – a singer
- Imelda Staunton – an actress
- Emma Thompson – an actress and comedian
- Johnny Vegas – an actor and comedian
- Alec and Evelyn Waugh – authors
West Hampstead's Place on the Map
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Cricklewood | Childs Hill | Hampstead | |
| Kilburn |  |
Swiss Cottage | ||
 West Hampstead  |
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| Maida Vale | South Hampstead | St John's Wood |
Images for kids
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West End Green, a lovely green space in West Hampstead.
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Shops along West End Lane, a busy street in the area.
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More shops and the library on West End Lane.
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The entrance to West Hampstead tube station.
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West Hampstead London Overground station.
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West Hampstead Thameslink station.
