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West End on Google Street View
(Aug 2024)The West End of London is one of the most famous and historically significant areas of the city. The name originates from its geographic location, referring to the western part of London relative to the medieval City of London.
West End is symbolically seen as one of the three poles of London: The Square Mile for finance, The City of Westminster for government (with Whitehall and Palace of Westminster located there), and the West End for entertainment and retail.
West End is located west of the Roman walls of the City of London. It was a favoured residential area for the wealthy during the earlier centuries, as it is located upwind of the smoke drifting from the inner City. Much of West End is within the borough of the City of Westminster. The areas closest to the City is also the poorest in comparison.
The name "West End" can mean different things under different contexts. Generally, it refers to the theatre district around Leicester Square and Covent Garden, the shopping district centred on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street - although the geographically distinct shopping district of Knightsbridge would also be regarded as "West End Shopping" by some.
The term West End dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when London was expanding. At the time, the area west of the City of London (the old medieval core) became known for its wealth, culture, and entertainment. It was simply the western part of the city compared to the traditional center.
Map of West End, London
How did the name stick?
- Royal Influence: The development of the West End was closely linked to the royal court. When Whitehall Palace and St. James's Palace became centers of power in the 16th and 17th centuries, aristocrats and wealthy elites moved westward to be near the monarchy.
- Avoiding the Poorer East: The East End of London was more industrial and densely populated, while the West End became a fashionable area for the rich, full of grand squares, theaters, and high-end shopping.
- Entertainment Hub: By the 19th century, the West End became synonymous with London's theater district and high culture, further cementing its identity.
By the broadest definition, the inner districts of West End, developed by 1815 include Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Holborn, Marylebone, Mayfair, Seven Dials, Soho, St James's and Westminster.
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