Description
Preserving the name of the ancient hamlet of West End within the parish of Hampstead, West End Green was once the site of the village green and pond. Threatened by development from 1875, it was saved by the actions of local people and purchased in 1885 by the Vestry of Hampstead and maintained as a public open space. Surrounded by railings, the garden has grass, mature trees, shrubs and a centrally placed granite drinking fountain, dated 1897. An oak tree planted by the Mayor of Hampstead commemorates the coronation of Edward VII.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Mill Lane Triangle |
|---|---|
| Site location | West End Lane/Fortune Green Road |
| Postcode | NW6 |
| What3Words | ///pits.puff.grant |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Toilets |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (Jubilee): West Hampstead. Bus: 328, 139, C11. |
| Research Updated | 1 August 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
West End Green preserves the name of the ancient hamlet of West End, one of the hamlets within the parish of Hampstead, but somewhat isolated from Hampstead village by the hill and lack of good roads. At the time of the Great Plague of the late C17th it was a village of 30 or 40 houses and it remained quite rural until Finchley Road and other transport routes opened up the area in the C19th. The village had 2 inns and a village green with a pond, and among the more substantial houses was Old West End House. This was once the home of the widow of William Beckford (1709-70), former Lord Mayor of London, whose statue is found in the Guildhall. The house was later demolished after first the Hampstead Junction Railway and then the Midland Railway ran to front and back of the property. West End Green has sometimes been referred to as Cock and Hoop Green, after the public house that was established nearby by 1723, but which closed in 1896. Alexandra Mansions stands on its site, built in 1902.
West End Green was in the ownership of the lord of the manor but was saved as public open space in 1885 when it was purchased by the Vestry of Hampstead with funds raised by public subscription. For 10 years prior to this attempts were made to build on it, strenuously opposed by local residents. In 1875 hoardings around the green erected by leaseholder John Culverhouse were pulled down and the site was then put up for sale for £850. Although Hampstead Vestry initially agreed to pay half, the Metropolitan Board of Works to pay the balance, the Vestry later reneged on this and the Green was sold privately. It was again surrounded by hoardings pending development, but in July 1882 these were again pulled down and set on fire by a throng of some 200 men.
The public open space creates an island at the junction between three roads. Surrounded by railings, the garden has grass, shrubs, mature trees and a centrally placed granite obelisk drinking fountain, dated 1897. An oak tree was planted by the Mayor of Hampstead to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII, with a plaque to that effect. At the southern tip of the Green are Victorian underground public toilets. Nearby is Emmanuel Church on Lyncroft Gardens, built 1897/8 by R Whitfield and J A Thomas.
West End Green was in the ownership of the lord of the manor but was saved as public open space in 1885 when it was purchased by the Vestry of Hampstead with funds raised by public subscription. For 10 years prior to this attempts were made to build on it, strenuously opposed by local residents. In 1875 hoardings around the green erected by leaseholder John Culverhouse were pulled down and the site was then put up for sale for £850. Although Hampstead Vestry initially agreed to pay half, the Metropolitan Board of Works to pay the balance, the Vestry later reneged on this and the Green was sold privately. It was again surrounded by hoardings pending development, but in July 1882 these were again pulled down and set on fire by a throng of some 200 men.
The public open space creates an island at the junction between three roads. Surrounded by railings, the garden has grass, shrubs, mature trees and a centrally placed granite obelisk drinking fountain, dated 1897. An oak tree was planted by the Mayor of Hampstead to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII, with a plaque to that effect. At the southern tip of the Green are Victorian underground public toilets. Nearby is Emmanuel Church on Lyncroft Gardens, built 1897/8 by R Whitfield and J A Thomas.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ254852 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.1279 |
| Site Ownership | LB Camden |
| Site Management | Parks & Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1885 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Emmanuel Church |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | West End Green/Parsifal Road - check |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space (Small Local). London Squares Preservation Act of 1931 |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Fortune Green Open Space is a triangular site surrounded by mature London plane trees at the intersection between roads. It was opened to the public in 1897/8, the cost of acquiring the land split between London County Council and Hampstead Borough Council, who took on its maintenance. At the southern tip is a granite drinking fountain presented by Miss Miles in memory of her mother, erected through the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain & Cattle Trough Association.
West Heath Lawn Tennis Club is on the site of the former West Middlesex Waterworks covered reservoir, later owned by the Metropolitan Water Board, from whom the club leased the land. The Club opened in 1902 and had five grass courts, two of which were later converted to hard courts. Today the club continues to offer low-cost memberships and provide the opportunity for outdoors exercise for residents in the area and from elsewhere. It also provides a social meeting place, with club tournaments, suppers, picnics and other activities.
King's College London today occupies 5 campuses and other properties across London including its Hampstead Residence. The site was formerly that of Kidderpore Hall, a large Grecian-style house of 1840-43, which stood on top of the hill. When the estate was broken up in 1889 the house and 2 acres were purchased by Westfield College, founded in 1882. New facilities such as the Maynard Wing and Skeel Library were added and in 1928/9 a classical chapel was built in the grounds north-east of Kidderpore Hall. In the garden was also a small mid-C19th summerhouse, and some fine trees.