Transformation defines West Hampstead. It started as “le Rudyng” a woodland clearing. By 1534, it was West End a freehold estate of Kilburn Priory. West End got its name because it was at the west end of a larger estate. West End Lane still bends sharply. It once marked boundaries between different estates.
By the early 17th century, houses appeared. London merchants built larger homes here. By 1800, West End was a hamlet. It had a few houses and cottages in parkland. Most were west of West End Lane and north of today’s railway lines.
The area rapidly changed with the arrival of railways. The Hampstead Junction Railway came first in 1857. The Midland line opened in 1868. The Metropolitan and St. John’s Wood line followed in 1879. West Hampstead got its current name from a railway station. The Metropolitan & St. John’s Wood line named its station on West End Lane “West Hampstead”.
The greatest development occurred in the 15 years after that station opened. Farmland and parkland west of West End Lane became housing estates. Large-scale building began east of West End Lane in 1897. West End Hall, Canterbury House, and Treherne House were demolished.
West Hampstead boasts several notable buildings. Emmanuel Church stands proudly on Lyncroft Gardens. Hampstead Cemetery opened on Fortune Green Road in 1876. Hampstead Cricket Club relocated to Lymington Road in 1877. Hampstead Synagogue appeared on Dennington Park Road in 1892. It was built on the site of Lauriston Lodge.
Lilian Baylis House on Broadhurst Gardens has an interesting past. Originally the Falcon Works, it became West Hampstead Town Hall. Later, Crystalate Gramophone Record Manufacturing and then Decca Studios occupied it. David Bowie and the Rolling Stones recorded there. The Beatles famously failed an audition at Decca Studios. Today, the English National Opera uses it as rehearsal space.
The Railway Hotel sits on West End Lane. From 1961 to 1970, it housed Klooks Kleek. Cream, Stevie Wonder and Rod Stewart performed here. John Mayall recorded a live album at Klooks Kleek. Cables ran from the venue to Decca Studios.
St. James Church on Sherriff Road is unique. It was the first UK church with a post office and community centre. West Hampstead Fire Station opened in 1901. It still operates covering a large area.
Today, West Hampstead offers excellent transport links. Three railway stations serve the area. West Hampstead tube station runs on the Jubilee line. West Hampstead Overground station is on the Mildmay line. West Hampstead Thameslink station serves the Thameslink route.
Many notable people have called West Hampstead home. English Heritage blue plaques honor David Bomberg, Sir Adrian Boult, Alfred Harmsworth and Dame Ida Mann. Gerry Anderson, Joan Armatrading and Stephen Fry also lived here. Dusty Springfield was born on Sumatra Road. West Hampstead combines history and modern life.