West Hampstead is an affluent district with a thriving community of friendly folk. Located in North West London in the London Borough of Camden, West Hampstead is an idyllic area of the capital. In fact, many who take up residence here end up staying for decades.
West Hampstead is located between Childs Hill to the north, Hampstead to the north-east, Swiss Cottage to the east, South Hampstead to the south-east and Kilburn to the west and south-west. Imbuing a warm, village feel, West Hampstead is one of the most desirable areas to live in the whole of London.
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History of West Hampstead
From the start of the 16th century until the end of the 18th century, West Hampstead was known as West End. The area became known as West Hampstead after the railway station was built to avoid confusion between the West End theatre district in central London.
Large scale development began in the area around 15 years after the station was opened, with farmland and parkland making way for housing estates.
Owing to its location and the strategic railway system, West Hampstead was heavily targeted during the Second World War. Much of the district was rebuilt after the war, including the building of many attractive residential developments.
In the proceeding decades, West Hampstead became an increasingly attractive area to live with its excellent transport links and growing community spirit.
What is it Like to Live in West Hampstead?
In the present day, West Hampstead remains a highly sought-after area. It is perfectly suited to young families and young professionals with its notable community feel and fantastic transport links. That being said, West Hampstead offers a wonderful lifestyle to people from all walks of life.
It is not quite as expensive as its bigger neighbour Hampstead, but its allure is arguably just as strong. It is a prosperous district, commanding an average property value of around £801,000. Large, impressive Victorian and Georgian houses and apartments stand proudly in the area, providing a sense of the area’s affluence.
The main concentration of activity is along West End Lane, where you will find independent boutiques and fashion stores, florists, bookshops, charity shops, and a diverse range of cafes, restaurants and other eateries. This is not to mention the ample selection of bars and gastropubs which make for a surprisingly lively nightlife.
Whatever can’t be found in West Hampstead itself, is only a short distance away in its neighbouring areas. Hampstead, Hampstead Heath, Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage and Kilburn are all within easy reach, not forgetting St John’s Wood and Belsize Park.
Your everyday necessities are all available around Finchley Road and Kilburn, both just a 25-minute walk away. Hampstead High Street is not much further away, with its abundance of bespoke boutiques.
West Hampstead’s larger neighbour, Hampstead, is just a 14-minute cycle ride away. Hampstead is the original urban village, with its quaint alleys, hilly lanes and independent shops, that can make you forget that you are in the capital.
Local Amenities in West Hampstead
Among the plethora of independent boutiques and fashion shops in West Hampstead, La Boutique is worth a special mention with its fine selection of beautiful clothing.
West End Lane Books is a fabulous independent bookstore with a wide range of titles. Evening readings and book clubs are regularly held here too.
The Farmer’s Market has been running every Saturday since 2012 at West Hampstead Thameslink Station. The market has a number of stalls selling seasonal produce, quality meat, fish, dairy items and other foodstuffs.
Cinemas, leisure complexes and plentiful shopping opportunities can be found in Swiss Cottage and on Finchley Road. The O2 centre on Finchley Road has a cinema, a gym with a swimming pool and many eating and shopping options.
JW3, also on Finchley Road, is a popular arts, culture and entertainment venue. It also serves as a social and community hub and educational facility.
The Hampstead Butcher & Providore sells an extensive range of quality free range and ethically reared meats, as well as exceptional larder, cheese and wine.
Restaurants, Bars & Pubs in West Hampstead
The Wet Fish Café is almost an institution in these parts. Converted from a former fish monger, The Wet Fish Café functions as a café, brasserie and music venue, serving up modern European comfort food. It is the perfect spot for a cosy meal and lazy weekend brunches.
Ham is an extremely popular place serving modern British dishes with quality ingredients and an Antipodean twist. This is a casual, warm and friendly restaurant which is much-loved amongst the locals.
David’s Deli serves up delicious and authentic Lebanese food in a welcoming and friendly environment. For your fix of Indian food, the exceptional Colaba Indian Dining is the perfect place.
If you are looking for something quick, Mr. Gingham is the place to go. Tasty sandwiches, bagels and all types of breakfast rolls are available here at affordable prices.
Truthfully, this is just a small snapshot of the abundance of quality restaurants that you can enjoy in West Hampstead.
As for the bars in West Hampstead, some of the most popular include Heads + Tails, the Black Lion, The Gallery, the cocktail bar Bobby Fitzpatrick, and the gastropub Alice House. The Railway is a famous pub which once held gigs by the likes of Cream, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones.
Outdoor and Green Spaces in West Hampstead
Just off Kingsgate Road, there are the small parks of Fortune Green and The Grange. In nearby Kilburn, there is Kilburn Grange Park. Covering 3.2 hectares of open green space with hedges and gardens surrounding it. This park has a children’s playground, basketball court, tennis courts and outdoor gym equipment.
Hampstead Heath is a wonderful location for long walks with its woodland, natural swimming ponds and meadows, as well as city views from Parliament Hill. Gladstone Park with its sport facilities, art gallery and café is nearby too, as is the scenic and ever-popular The Regent’s Park.
Education in West Hampstead
There are many excellent schools in West Hampstead, which partly explains why the area is so popular with families.
Kingsgate Primary School is a popular community school which has been awarded an Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’. The catchment area around the school includes Cotleigh Road and Dynham Road, which both have beautiful terraced and semi-detached Victorian and Georgian properties.
St Luke’s Church of England school is small with fewer than 100 students. It is regarded as one of the best primary schools in West Hampstead, where recent data showed that 96% of pupils are achieving expected levels in maths, reading and writing. The catchment area is around the Finchley Road area, as well as Fortune Green Road. Apartments in this area start from around £350,000.
St Eugene De Mazenod Roman Catholic Primary School provides a Catholic-focused education. The school was awarded a rating of ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in its most recent inspection. The catchment area here encompasses Mazenod Avenue (where the primary school is located) with its many Victorian terraces, as well as West End Lane.
Other schools in the area include:
- Lithos Pre-School
- Little Ark Montessori Nursery
- Kilburn Grange Children’s Centre
- Beckford Primary School
- Emmanuel Church of England Primary School
- Kingsgate Primary School
- St Mary’s Kilburn Church of England Primary School
- Broadhurst School
- Rainbow Montessori School
- Hampstead School
Transport Links in West Hampstead
As alluded to, West Hampstead is an extremely well-connected area of North London. There are three rail and underground stations in close proximity: West Hampstead Thameslink; West Hampstead Station and West Hampstead Underground. A tube from West Hampstead to London Paddington is just an 18-minute journey. Regular services run from the Thameslink station to south London and further afield to Brighton.
Bus services run south into the city from West Hampstead including the 139 (24-hour service) towards Waterloo, the 189 (24-hour service) to Marble Arch, the 328 towards Chelsea and Golders Green and the C11 towards the Archway.
Cyclists can reach Oxford Street in 30 minutes with easy peddling. However, it’s an uphill journey back from that direction.
For overseas travel, London Luton Airport and Heathrow airport are both less than an hour away by car from West Hampstead, and less than an hour and a half away by public transport.
Property in West Hampstead
West Hampstead is not quite as expensive as its neighbour Hampstead, but prices are still high for buying and renting in this sought-after area of North West London.
As mentioned, West Hampstead’s architecture is dominated by magnificent Victorian houses, many of which have been converted into apartments. There are a number of imposing mansion blocks in the area too in Chomley Gardens, Alexandra Mansions, Lyncroft Mansions and Marlborough Mansions. Properties in these areas afford luxurious, spacious and extremely comfortable living.
Perhaps the most expensive areas of all are around Honeybourne Road and Crediton Hill.
An extremely diverse range of people choose to call West Hampstead their home. Its location on the edge of central London is highly desirable, where you can enjoy a lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle. Still, West Hampstead’s terrific transport links mean you are just a short distance away from the likes of the city and the West End.
If you are considering buying, renting or selling property in the West Hampstead area, Chancellors is here to provide all the support and guidance you may need. We have a number of beautiful properties in our portfolio for your consideration. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service, and we will do our utmost to match you with a property which suits your needs and requirements.
Contact us at our Hampstead branch today to speak with one of our friendly team.