Trains to West Hampstead

In the 16th century West Hampstead was known as West End. This all changed when the railway arrived in 1888 - the station was built on West End Lane, but named West Hampstead to avoid confusion with the West End in central London. The station serves the London Overground and is in Travelcard Zone 2. In 2015, Tfl produced plans for the £7m development of a new station, with the current building turned into retail units. Part of the reason for these plans is the amount of traffic surging through the station - a huge 3 million passengers a year. West Hampstead has one of London's most village-like high streets, peppered with boutiques, restaurants and cafes. The green oasis of Hampstead Heath, with its woodland trails and tranquil ponds, is only a short walk away, as are the cinema and leisure complexes of Finchley Road and Swiss Cottage. Local highlights include The Tricycle Theatre and West End Lane Books, which has children's story sessions twice a week.