West Hampstead: Affluent north-west London area with great transport links

West Hampstead is an unusual area in London, because unlike some it is split between two boroughs. Lying in the north of the capital, it is partly in Camden, while a portion lies in Brent.

Like many areas of London, it was a village for a long time, before the 19th century brought new communication and transport links, expanding the metropolis and swallowing up patches of rural England.

Of course, while this has removed any sense of the area being a village now, it means the district enjoys many of the most appealing aspects of being in a city, with plenty of transport links, numerous bars and places to eat out and be entertained, as well as ease of access to other parts of the metropolis and its various shopping, sporting and other attractions.

A major focal point of West Hampstead is West End Lane. This is the main street and offers shops, pubs and places to eat, including the Lower Ground Bar nightclub, the West Fish Cafe and the Number 77 Wine Bar.

West End Lane borders with Abbey Road, the famous recording studio used by the Beatles - not least in the iconic picture of the foursome in line on the zebra crossing.

This is an affluent area and one good reason for this may be the excellence of its access to trains, buses and the Tube. Indeed, the name appears on no less than three stations, these including West Hampstead Thameslink - which provides not just rapid access to the heart of the capital but also services as far as Luton to the north and Brighton to the South.

The Tube network is also represented, with West Hampstead being on the Jubilee line in Zone 2, while the new London Overground also has a station there.

The Jubilee line provides a connection north from the area as far as Stanmore in Zone 5, while southbound trains serve the West End, Waterloo, London Bridge and the O2 Arena, with the Olympic site of Stratford at the far end.

Those wanting to see a famous sporting venue closer to home can get off at St John's Wood, close to Lord's Cricket Ground - also, incidentally, an Olympic venue as it will host the archery. Northbound trains serve Wembley Park, the home of English football.

And the Overground provides another handy link, as instead of heading for Central London it offers lines heading east and west. The east again includes Stratford, while a westbound trip could take in the rather different attractions of Kew Gardens.

The area itself is a little short of parks, but this may be regarded as only a minor issue, since the large green spaces of North-West London are close by, with Regent's Park and Hyde Park well within reach. Sporty types fancying exercise outdoors may also West Hampstead Hockey Club offers a chance to enjoy the fun of competition and caneraderie.

People deciding to rent in West Hampstead will be in good company - the likes of Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Doris Lessing are all famous residents. Those checking the area out may find out just what it is they like about it.
 

Published 20th December, 2010

© 2010 Estates IT Limited